Top 10 Executive Orders Issued by Donald Trump After Returning to Power

On January 20, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term in office. This former leader invited many tech CEOs and presidents of other countries to attend the ceremony.

He invited Brazilian President Javier Milei, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and many more. The ceremony took place indoors at the United States Capitol due to inclement weather, making it the first indoor inauguration since Ronald Reagan's in 1985.

President Donald Trump holds up the letter that former President Joe Biden left for him in the desk as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington.

https://t.co/kNpBJ7Th9n #voainauguration2025 pic.twitter.com/Kz5A1tmTJT

— Voice of America (@VOANews) January 21, 2025

During his inauguration speech, this political icon made some ground-breaking executive orders aimed at reshaping various aspects of American policy. 

In this article, we will look at the top 10 executive orders by Donald Trump following his return to presidential power. These orders are expected to cover a wide range of issues, including immigration reform, defence strategies, and more.

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List of Executive Orders Issued By Donald Trump in His 2nd Term

Source: X

Donald Trump issued a series of executive orders during the early days of his second term. It focuses on reversing policies from the Biden administration and implementing his own agenda. Here’s the list of the executive orders signed by Trump:

1. Rescission of 78 Biden-era Executive Actions: This order reverses numerous policies related to immigration, climate change and racial equity established by the previous administration.
2. Ending Birthright Citizenship: This controversial order seeks to eliminate automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants, likely facing legal challenges due to its conflict with the 14th Amendment.
3. National Emergency Declaration at the Southern Border: Trump declared a national emergency to address what he describes as a crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, allowing for military deployment and prioritising immigration enforcement. This declaration has been criticised for its implications for civil liberties and border security.
4. Restoration of the Federal Death Penalty: This order reinstates capital punishment at the federal level and directs the Attorney General to pursue death penalties for severe crimes.
5. Regulatory Freeze: This executive order halts new regulations from being issued until the Trump administration has full control over federal agencies.
6. Suspension of Refugee Admissions: The order temporarily halts the entry of refugees into the U.S., raising concerns about its impact on vulnerable populations.
7. Designation of Drug Cartels as Terrorist Organisations: This directive classifies certain criminal groups as foreign terrorist organisations, enhancing law enforcement's ability to combat drug trafficking.
8. Easier Removal of Underperforming Federal Workers: This order redefines job protections for federal employees, making it easier to dismiss those deemed underperforming.
9. Delaying TikTok Ban Enforcement: Trump signed an order that provides a 75-day grace period for TikTok's parent company to negotiate divestiture, temporarily lifting a federal ban on the app.
10. Strict Enforcement of Immigration Laws: Mandating rigorous enforcement of existing immigration regulations, this order has been criticised for potentially leading to increased deportations and human rights violations.
11. Cutting Off Foreign Aid: A 90-day suspension of U.S. foreign aid programs for reassessment has caused alarm among international allies and humanitarian organisations reliant on American assistance56.
12. Pardons Related to January 6 Riots: Trump issued pardons for approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riots, which many view as undermining accountability for those actions and disrespecting law enforcement efforts during the event.
13. Withdrawal from the WHO: In a similar vein, Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO), citing concerns over its handling of global health crises and alleged bias against the U.S. This move has raised alarms about the implications for global health cooperation and response to future pandemics.
14. Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement: Trump signed an executive order on January 20, 2025, initiating the formal withdrawal of the United States from this international climate accord. He criticised the agreement for imposing unfair economic burdens on the U.S. and aimed to limit financial contributions to climate initiatives abroad.
15. Recognising only 2 Genders: Trump issued an executive order that formally recognises only male and female genders in federal policies and programs, reversing previous policies that acknowledged a spectrum of gender identities.

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Reasons Behind Trump's Withdrawal from the WHO and the Paris Agreement

Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Paris Agreement stems from several key criticisms he has levied against these entities.

Reasons for Withdrawal from WHO

• Mishandling of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Trump has consistently criticised the WHO for its response to the COVID-19 crisis, claiming that it failed to conduct a thorough investigation into the outbreak in China and delayed necessary actions that could have mitigated the global spread of the virus. He stated that the organisation's performance during the pandemic was unacceptable and cited this as a primary reason for withdrawal.
• Political Influence: The Trump administration accused the WHO of being unduly influenced by certain member states, particularly China, undermining its independence and effectiveness. Trump remarked on the need for the organisation to demonstrate greater autonomy from political agendas.
• Financial Burden: Trump expressed concerns over what he termed "unfair" financial demands placed on the U.S., highlighting that American contributions were disproportionately higher than those of other countries. He noted that while the U.S. contributes significantly to the WHO's budget, other nations with larger populations contribute much less.

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Reasons for Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement

• Economic Concerns: Trump has labelled the Paris Agreement as detrimental to U.S. economic interests, arguing that it imposes unfair restrictions on American industries while allowing other countries to continue polluting without similar constraints. He believes this agreement hampers job creation and economic growth in the U.S.
• Sovereignty Issues: Trump has framed his withdrawal from the Paris Agreement as a matter of national sovereignty, asserting that international agreements should not dictate domestic policies or economic practices. He emphasised his commitment to prioritising American interests over international obligations.

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Conclusion

In his inaugural address on January 20, 2025, Donald Trump articulated a vision for the United States that aims to establish the nation as a model of development and prosperity, stating, "From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation." 

He emphasised his commitment to prioritising American interests, declaring, "I will very simply put America first."

Trump further elaborated on his aspirations, asserting that "America will soon be greater, stronger, and far more exceptional than ever before," and framed this period as the beginning of a "thrilling new era of national success." 

He expressed a desire for America to achieve such a level of advancement that it would evoke admiration and jealousy from other countries.

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