On his first day back in office Donald Trump signed a raft of executive orders, actions, presidential memos, and pardons. 

Sitting in the Oval Office, surrounded by stacks of documents in thick leather folders, Trump signed order after order aimed at fulfilling his campaign promises: closing the borders, beginning mass deportations, drilling for oil, overhauling the justice system, ending diversity and inclusion initiatives, and putting America first.

From a temporary pause on the TikTok ban, to ending regulations promoting electric vehicles, to declaring that the US only recognizes two genders– the orders tackled a wide swathe of lightning rod topics.

Here’s a run down of most of those first-day orders:

Immigration and Border Security

  • Seeking to End Birthright Citizenship– Trump signed an order directing U.S. agencies to longer issue automatic citizenship for children born to immigrants in the U.S. without documentation or on temporary visas. This will certainly be challenged in courts as birthright citizenship is stipulated specifically in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
  • Declaring a National Emergency on the Southern Border– Trump declared a national emergency thus allowing him to direct the military to the southern border.
  • Restoration of the “Remain in Mexico” Policy– This controversial policy which was in practice during Trump’s first terms requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their U.S. asylum hearings.
  • Refugee Admissions Program Halt– Trump also paused U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for at least four months as it undergoes a review of its “public safety and national security” implications. 
  • Death Penalty Expansion– Trump authorized the attorney general to pursue the death penalty for serious crimes, reversing a previous pause, specifically calling for it in instances of capital crimes “committed by an alien illegally present in this country.”
  • Beginning the Mass Deportation Program– Trump reversed a Biden order that had narrowed deportation priorities to only those who had been convicted of severe crimes, were national security threats, or were apprehended at the border. Deportation is now a priority for anyone in the country without proper documentation.

America First Policies

  • Withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO)— Trump Initiated the U.S. withdrawal and end of financial contributions to the WHO.
  • Evaluating U.S. Trade Relations– In a presidential memo, Trump directed reviews of trade relations with Mexico, Canada, and China. He did not immediately implement the sweeping tariffs he has promised on all three trade partners. 
  • Renaming the Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali– Trump signed an order such that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed as the “Gulf of America” and reverted Mount Denali’s name to Mount McKinley.
  • 90-Day Pause on Foreign Development Assistance– A directive halted all foreign aid for at least 90 days to reassess the aid’s alignment with Trump’s “America First” foreign policy goals.
  • America First Foreign Policy Guidance– Trump directed the State Department to issue guidance reflecting an “America First” agenda.

Federal Workforce and Governance

  • Federal Hiring Freeze– Trump imposed a hiring freeze, except for roles in immigration enforcement, national security, and public safety.
  • Reinstating “Schedule F”— This reclassification of wide swathes of federal employees makes career federal workers easier to fire, targeting those resistant to or noncompliant with Trump’s agenda.
  • Eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs– Trump signed an order that terminated all federal  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs as well as environmental justice programs and positions.
  • New Performance Plans for Senior Executives– Trump also ordered revised performance metrics for federal career officials to screen those who don’t align with his agenda.
  • Establishing the Department of Government Efficiency– This pet project of Tesla founder and richest man in the world Elon Musk, creates a largely undefined body with ability to suggest broad spending cuts within the government. 

Energy and Environment

  • Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement– In a move echoing his first term, Trump notified the U.N. of U.S. withdrawal from the landmark climate agreement.
  • Declaring a National Energy Emergency– This second national emergency enables the fast-tracking of fossil fuel projects and lifts restrictions on both drilling and gas exports.
  • Revoking Electric Vehicle Targets– Trump repealed Biden-era policies promoting EV adoption.
  • Temporary Halt on Offshore Wind Leasing– Trump suspended wind leasing in federal waters and put a pause on all other permits for wind projects.

Gender and Sexuality

  • Recognizing Only Two Genders– Trump mandated the federal recognition of only two genders, based on whether an individual’s gonads produce eggs or sperm, and the removal of “gender ideology guidance” from all federal communications in documents, schools, and prisons.
  • Restricting Gender-Affirming Medical Procedures in Federal Prisons– in a promise that was a keystone of several scare ads during his campaign, Trump prohibited federal funding for gender-affirming treatments for inmates.

Social Media and Speech

  • Pausing the TikTok Ban– In a flourish, Trump delayed enforcement of the TikTok ban he had once promoted, halting the ban for 75 days to allow negotiations for the company to be bought by an American entity as per the Supreme Court decision. 
  • Calling for End of Government Censorship on Social Media – in another vague directive, Trump wrote an order “immediately stop all government censorship,” on social media, which will likely tackle efforts to combat misinformation online.  

Justice and Pardons

  • Pardons for almost all January 6 Defendants–Trump pardoned nearly all of the 1,500 individuals convicted of crimes related to the Capitol riots and commuted several sentences.
  • Reviewing “Weaponization” of DOJ– Another keystone executive order warns of the “weaponization” of the Justice Department and directs Trump’s attorney general to investigate federal law enforcement agencies, the SEC, and the FTC for signs of political bias during the Biden administration.

And More

  • Orders on Federal Civic Architecture– Trump Issued a directive to enhance and beautify federal building design.
  • Flags at Full Staff– Trump passed an order for all flags to remain at full height on Inauguration Day regardless of national mourning. Flags had been directed to be at half staff on the day of his inauguration due to the mourning period declared for the death of former president Jimmy Carter