Gambiaj.com – (Washington, D.C.) – Just hours after being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump enacted an unprecedented slate of executive actions on Monday, undoing a broad array of policies from the Biden administration. The orders touched on critical issues such as immigration, climate change, and diversity initiatives, signaling a sharp pivot in federal governance.
Directive to End Birthright Citizenship
After a celebratory rally in downtown Washington, Trump signed a number of orders relating to immigration at the White House, including a directive to end birthright citizenship.
Birthright citizenship has been understood to be required under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.”
Democrats and some legal groups have vowed to challenge in court any attempt by Trump to do away with birthright citizenship.
“With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense. It’s all about common sense,” Trump said in his inaugural address.
The first order he signed before a crowd at the Capital One Arena revoked about 80 executive actions former President Joe Biden signed.
When he was done, he threw some of the pens he’d used into the crowd.
The orders are part of a broad plan that’s expected to include more than 50 items in total as he seeks a quick Day 1 start.
Immigration Crackdown
Among the most notable actions was the reinstatement of Trump’s controversial “Remain in Mexico” policy, requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims are processed in U.S. courts. This move drew immediate criticism from Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, which claimed Trump acted unilaterally without consulting their government. The designation of cartels such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua as foreign terrorist organizations further underscored Trump’s hardline immigration stance.
Declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, Trump authorized the deployment of military forces and the National Guard to bolster border security. “By the time the sun sets tomorrow evening, the invasion of our borders will have come to a halt,” Trump declared at a rally on Sunday, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to stricter border controls.
Rescinding Biden-Era Policies
Trump reversed 78 of Joe Biden’s executive actions, including those tied to climate, diversity, and international relations. The withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement marked a return to Trump’s first-term policies, once again distancing the U.S. from global commitments to combat climate change. Additionally, Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on Mexico and Canada starting February 1, reigniting trade tensions with America’s neighbors.
Domestically, Trump revoked federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. “We will forge a society that is colorblind and merit-based,” he declared during his inaugural address. A separate order established the recognition of two sexes—male and female—on federal documents, reversing Biden-era inclusivity measures.
Mass Pardons and Legal Revisions
In a controversial move, Trump issued mass pardons for 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riots. These included hundreds convicted of felonies like assaulting police officers and property destruction.
Critics denounced the decision as undermining accountability for one of the most significant breaches of U.S. democratic institutions in recent history.
Trump also dismantled Biden’s task force designed to reunite families separated during his first administration’s zero-tolerance immigration policy. Established in 2021, the task force had successfully reunited nearly 800 children with their families by early 2024. The rescission leaves the fate of other separated families uncertain.
Global Repercussions
Trump’s sweeping reversals extended to international policy. He reinstated Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, revoked sanctions on Jewish settlers in the West Bank, and nullified Biden’s executive order aimed at regulating artificial intelligence risks. Each decision reflects Trump’s commitment to reshaping U.S. foreign and technological policy in line with his administration’s priorities.
Record Number of Orders
The sheer number of executive actions—far exceeding those signed by Trump on his first day in office in 2017—set a new precedent. Trump’s actions dwarf the nine executive orders signed by Biden on his first day in 2021, marking an aggressive push to assert control over federal policy.
As Trump’s administration embarks on its second tenure, the nation remains divided over the implications of these dramatic changes. Supporters hail the measures as a necessary correction to Biden-era policies, while critics warn of the potential fallout, both domestically and internationally.
