Six Trump Executive Orders to Watch

Donald Trump has signed sweeping executive orders upon his return to the US presidency, promising swift action on some of his top campaign issues.

The directives that have received the most publicity include immigration action and rolling back some climate-friendly policies.

But even the president’s powers have their limits — and in some cases, he faces obstacles before his plans can become reality.

By Bernd Debusman Jr. in the White House

What does the order say?

The order argues that the cartels have “engaged in a campaign of violence and terror” across the hemisphere, and have brought a flood of crime into the United States, posing a national security threat to the United States.

Additionally, the order specifies that US policy is to “ensure the complete eradication” of these groups in the US. It gives US agencies 14 days to make recommendations on which groups to designate and be prepared to expedite removal of individuals from the US.

What are the obstacles?

Designating a cartel as a terrorist group could open the door to prosecuting US citizens or even legitimate businesses found to be linked in some way to those groups. The designation could also strain relations with countries, including Mexico, which has vocally called for its sovereignty to be respected.

What is the potential impact?

For one, designating these groups as foreign terrorist organizations could eventually be used to justify military action against targets in Mexico or other countries where similar groups operate.

The designation could also see the US federal government devote more resources and advanced legal tools to fighting cartels and other gangs and going after their business and financial interests on both sides of the border.

Although it would criminalize “material support” of these groups, it is unclear what that might mean. In theory, this could mean that drug dealers and users, including US citizens, could be charged with aiding terrorists – as well as US citizens or businesses at the border that pay them. Extort money for this.

By Nadine Youssef, Toronto

What does the order say?

The executive order asks the US Ambassador to the United Nations to “immediately” submit a formal written request to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.

It said the agreement does not reflect the country’s values ​​or its economic and environmental objectives.

What are the obstacles?

Any country can withdraw from the global climate treaty, but UN rules mean the process of removing a country can be delayed.

Trump had announced his intention to withdraw during his final term in 2017, but it was not formally finalized until 2020. We can expect another waiting period of at least a year this time.

President Joe Biden rejoins it soon after taking office in 2021

What is the potential impact?

The US is responsible for about 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it the second-largest polluter after China. This harms global efforts to limit emissions.

Its withdrawal in the past has raised issues of trust over climate leadership, and raised questions about whether the agreement has been effective.

The withdrawal is also in line with Trump’s goal of boosting domestic oil and gas production, although the US is already the world’s number one producer of both. It is one of several reversals of Trump’s environmental protections that were implemented by the Biden administration.

By Jake Horton, BBC Verification

What does the order say?

The order aims to eliminate birthright citizenship for children born to immigrant parents living in the U.S. illegally, as well as to parents living in the country on a temporary basis.

There have been reports that the administration will enforce the order by withholding documents such as passports from people deemed ineligible for citizenship.

What are the obstacles?

The principle of birthright citizenship is enshrined in the US Constitution. The 14th Amendment states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States” are citizens of the United States.

Legal challenges are already underway – one claims the order is “unconstitutional, and violates fundamental American values”.

Constitutional expert Saikrishna Prakash told the BBC, “Ultimately this will be decided by the courts. This is not something that (Trump) can decide on his own.”

What is the potential impact?

Trump has threatened mass deportations, which could include people whose birthright citizenship is revoked, if Trump is successful in implementing this executive action.

Legal cases may ultimately have to be decided by the US Supreme Court, which could take a long time.

By Dominic Hughes, Health Correspondent

What does the order say?

The order said the US was withdrawing “due to the organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Trump’s long-standing dislike of the WHO is rooted in the perception that it is dominated by China — and that it is so soft on China, which the president has long believed was responsible for the spread of the virus. Is.

It also mentions “unreasonably huge payments” made by the US to WHO.

What are the obstacles?

This is the second time that Trump has ordered America to withdraw from WHO. They started the process and later reversed the decision after Biden took office.

The US withdrawal will not take effect until 2026 at the earliest, but leaving would require congressional approval.

On paper, Republicans have majorities in both houses of Congress. But their numerical advantage is small, and it would likely take only a few Republican defectors to stop the move.

What is the potential impact?

Some global public health experts are describing it in terms like “catastrophic”, “disastrous”, “harmful”.

Of the 196 member states, the US is by far the largest individual funder, contributing about one-fifth of the total WHO budget.

It is possible that funding could disappear almost overnight and this could impact WHO’s ability to respond to emergencies.

There is also concern among some scientists that it would leave the US isolated when it comes to pandemic preparedness and access to programs like seasonal influenza strain sequencing, which is used to develop annual flu jabs.

This could ultimately harm the health of Americans and the US national interest.

Some argue that US withdrawal could further reform the way WHO works, making it a body that better meets the public health needs of people around the world.

By Jake Horton, BBC Verification

What does the order say?

The order calls for the Gulf of Mexico to be “officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico.”

Trump can change the name of the Gulf in official documents of the US government.

That has already happened in some documents — including a weather update from Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, which mentioned an “area of ​​low pressure moving across the Gulf of Mexico.”

What are the obstacles?

Trump cannot force other countries or companies to change their names.

For example, on Google Maps it is still labeled as the Gulf of Mexico.

What is the potential impact?

There is no formal international agreement on the naming of marine areas – although there is a body that seeks to resolve disputes when they arise.

Mexico could therefore raise an official dispute, and U.S. and Mexican allies could become embroiled in a diplomatic dispute between the two countries.

In response to the order, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the US could call it “America’s Gulf”, but that would not change Mexico and the rest of the world.

By Ben Chu and Lucy Gilder, BBC Verification

What does the order say?

It states, “It is the policy of the United States to recognize the two sexes, male and female. These sexes are not changeable and are based on fundamental and indisputable reality.” It states that the federal government will use the term sex, not gender.

President Trump’s team argues that requirements to refer to transgender people in government facilities and workplaces by pronouns that match their gender identity violate the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on freedom of speech and religion.

States such as Kansas and Montana have already enacted laws enshrining a biological definition of sex.

What are the obstacles?

There is a possibility of facing legal challenges.

The Human Rights Campaign, which represents LGBTQ+ people, said that “we will fight these harmful provisions with everything we have”.

These challenges could reach the US Supreme Court, which with its conservative majority could rule in Trump’s favor.

What is the potential impact?

Under the plans, prisons and shelters for migrants and rape victims will be segregated by gender, which campaigners say will help protect women. But transgender rights groups say trans women could be at increased risk of violence.

Official identification documents, including passports and visas, must state whether the person was “male” or female. US citizens will no longer be able to select “X” as the third option.