What is an executive order and what orders did Trump sign on day one? , donald trump news

Donald Trump has signed a number of executive actions just after being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, beginning his second term.

There are two types of executive actions: Executive orders, which are legally binding written orders of the federal government that do not require congressional approval. The President also issues proclamations, which are generally not legally binding.

So what is an executive order and what are the most significant orders Trump signed on Monday?

What are executive orders?

Executive orders are formal written statements that outline the President’s agenda in running the federal government. These may include instructions to federal agencies or requests for specific reports. Many orders may be objectionable, such as giving federal employees the day off after Christmas, and they may also establish major policies.

The new president may, as heads of the executive branch often do – issue orders rescinding his predecessor’s orders.

According to the American Bar Association (ABA), Article II of the US Constitution gives the President the power to issue executive orders.

“Only a sitting U.S. President can overturn an existing executive order by issuing another executive order to that effect,” the ABA said.

According to the association, these orders do not require congressional approval and cannot be overturned directly by lawmakers. However, Congress can prevent an order from going into effect by cutting funding or imposing other barriers.

Trump’s plans for this mandate

‘Our borders are secure’

In his inaugural address, Trump promised that “all illegal entry will be stopped” and millions of “criminal aliens” would be deported.

As part of his decisions, Trump declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border and ordered the deployment of troops to increase border security.

He restarted construction of the border wall started during his first term in 2017 and reinstated the “Remain in Mexico” program, which required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico during their U.S. immigration proceedings. .

“All illegal entries will be stopped immediately. And we will begin the process of sending millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places they came from,” Trump said. His administration also shut down an app used for immigration appointments and said existing appointments were canceled.

He announced his intention to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.

Birthright citizenship, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born on US soil, is protected by the 14th Amendment and any attempt to repeal it would likely bring immediate legal challenges.

Trump also designated cartels and international gangs as “global terrorists”, expanding government powers to combat human trafficking and drug trafficking. He also promised to “eliminate the presence of all foreign gangs and criminal networks” in the US.

“You can do whatever you have to do to get out of that problem, and that’s the kind of emergency we have,” Trump said late Monday.

Pardon in January 6 US Capitol attack

Trump also issued a proclamation pardoning nearly 1,500 individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack and ending federal cases against political opponents of the outgoing administration.

“This proclamation ends the grave national injustice inflicted on the American people over the past four years and begins the process of national reconciliation,” Trump said in a statement published on the White House website.

Trump’s pardon wiped the slate clean for many of those convicted of committing the most serious crimes on January 6, including Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the far-right Proud Boys, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy. Was narrated.

The pardon also expunged the criminal records of more than 700 people convicted of misdemeanors such as trespassing and put a stay on hundreds of pending cases.

Separately, Trump directed federal cases against “political opponents” of the Biden administration to be dropped, specifically targeting cases involving his supporters.

‘Restoring biological truth’: redefining gender roles

Another major decision was to order the federal government to recognize only two genders, male and female. This is in line with his rhetoric against “woke” culture.

Trump said during his inaugural address, “Starting today, it will be the official policy of the United States Government that there are only two genders, male and female.”

“Sex shall refer to the immutable biological classification of a person as male or female,” the order says. “Sex” is not synonymous with “gender identity” and does not include the concept of “gender identity.”

TikTok ban is being stopped

Trump also signed an executive order to temporarily suspend the law banning TikTok.

The order puts the law on hold for 75 days, allowing companies that collaborate with TikTok to avoid legal consequences during this period.

The order said the purpose of the pause is to provide the administration “time to pursue a resolution that protects national security while protecting a platform used by 170 million Americans”.

“Essentially, with TikTok, I have the right to sell it or shut it down, and we will make that decision, and we may have to get approval from China as well. I’m not sure, but I’m sure they’ll approve it,” he said.

He also said his administration would work on “a joint venture” between the US and unnamed other entities. “I think you have a lot of people who would be interested in TikTok as a partner for the United States,” he said.

WHO and withdrawal from Paris climate agreement

According to the new executive order, Trump is pulling America out of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Agreement.

“World Health betrayed us, everyone betrayed the United States. “This is not going to happen anymore,” Trump said as he signed the order.

The US plans to withdraw within 12 months and stop all financial contributions to its operations. As the UN health agency’s largest financial supporter, this decision marks a significant change.

He also signed an order to quit “the unfair unilateral dismantling of the Paris climate agreement.” This is a major blow to the fight against climate change in the United States, the world’s second-largest greenhouse gas emitter.

At the Paris United Nations Climate Summit in 2016, countries pledged to cut fossil fuels as part of the global response to the threat of climate change.

Trump pulled out of the landmark climate accord during his first term — a decision reversed by his predecessor Joe Biden, who pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 as part of a $2 trillion plan to transform the economy. Had done.

The US president declared an energy emergency as he promised “drill, baby, drill” and said he would end what he called Biden’s electric vehicle mandate.

Gulf of Mexico and Denali renaming

Trump also ordered to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska’s Mountain Denali.

“Shortly from now, we are going to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of Mexico,” the US president said shortly after being sworn in on Monday.

The US President also issued an order to rename Denali, the highest mountain in North America, to Mount McKinley. In 2015, President Barack Obama changed the name to Denali, located in Alaska, to reflect its Native roots.

federal recruitment process

Trump has also imposed a federal government hiring freeze, except in the military and unspecified other areas. He has also paused the introduction of new federal regulations as he works to install his second administration.

The order calls for “efficient use of existing personnel and funds to improve public services and the delivery of these services.”

He has also officially tasked the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to streamline government operations.