PTBP Web Desk
US President Donald Trump unleashed a torrent of executive orders, marking a bold and immediate shift from the policies of his predecessor, President Joe Biden. According to The New York Times, Trump’s actions were designed to assert a muscular use of presidential power, aiming to reverse key policies on immigration, environmental protection, and diversity initiatives.
Trump’s executive actions are not just a policy pivot; they represent an ambitious agenda to reignite drilling and mining activities, fundamentally altering the United States’ stance as a haven for refugees and immigrants. This move is seen as an attempt to undo many of Biden’s most impactful domestic policies, particularly those related to climate change and immigration reform.
In a speech delivered on Monday evening, Trump announced the revocation of nearly 80 executive actions from the Biden administration, labeling them “disruptive and radical.” Among these, directives to rebuild the refugee program and phase out the use of private prisons by the Justice Department were eliminated. This strategic withdrawal from these policies underscores Trump’s commitment to his campaign promises, which included dismantling what he describes as the “deep state” — an alleged bureaucratic resistance to his initiatives.
Key Executive Orders on Immigration:
Hiring Freeze: Trump issued an order to freeze federal hiring, with exceptions for military roles and positions crucial for immigration enforcement, national security, and public safety. This move is intended to streamline government operations but has sparked concerns about staffing shortages in key areas.
Asylum Restrictions: One of the most controversial orders bars asylum for new arrivals at the southern border, aiming to curb illegal immigration through stringent border control measures.
Ending Birthright Citizenship: Perhaps the most legally contentious, Trump aimed to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, challenging the interpretation of the 14th Amendment. Legal experts predict this order will face significant judicial scrutiny.
Environmental and Economic Policies:
Paris Agreement Withdrawal: Trump has once again withdrawn the US from the Paris Agreement, signaling a retreat from global efforts to combat climate change, favoring instead economic growth through less regulated energy sectors.
Trade and Security: He ordered investigations into trade practices by major economies like Canada, China, and Mexico, focusing on trade deficits and drug trafficking, which could lead to new tariffs or trade barriers if deemed necessary.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI):
Termination of DEI Programs: Trump’s orders include the termination of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across federal agencies, advocating for a recognition of only two genders — male and female, and removing transgender protections in federal facilities.
Schedule F Restoration: By reinstating Schedule F, Trump aims to reduce job security for certain federal workers, allowing for easier dismissal of those not aligning with his administration’s vision.
The breadth and scope of these orders suggest not only immediate policy changes but also set the stage for numerous legal battles, as many of these actions could be seen as overreaching or conflicting with constitutional rights. Critics argue that these orders are largely symbolic, aimed at pleasing his voter base rather than effecting practical change, especially in areas like birthright citizenship where legal precedents are well-established.
However, supporters of Trump’s policies view these orders as necessary corrections to what they perceive as overly liberal policies by the previous administration. They argue for a return to what they call “American values” centered around security, economic independence, and traditional social norms.
