On his first day back in office, President Donald J. Trump issued a sweeping series of executive orders and directives aimed at reshaping federal priorities and reversing key policies of the previous administration. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the major actions taken on Day 1 of the Trump administration:
1. Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border
President Trump declared a national emergency to address unauthorized border crossings, citing threats to national sovereignty and public safety.
2. Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversaries
The administration implemented restrictions on foreign adversary-controlled applications, including TikTok, due to national security concerns.
3. Ending Remote Work in Federal Agencies
Federal employees were directed to return to in-person work, ending pandemic-era remote work arrangements.
4. Freezing Federal Regulations for Review
New federal regulations were halted pending review by Trump-appointed agency heads, ensuring alignment with the administration’s policies.
5. Pardons for January 6 Offenses
Pardons and commutations were granted to individuals convicted of offenses related to the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
6. Accountability for Senior Officials
Measures were introduced to reinforce accountability for senior federal executives and policy-influencing officials.
7. Rescinding Harmful Policies
President Trump repealed policies on diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and certain climate initiatives that he deemed divisive and inflationary.
8. Revoking U.S. Climate Finance Plans
The administration ended U.S. commitments to international climate finance agreements and redirected funds to domestic priorities.
9. Ensuring Security at Federal Borders
Expanded efforts were announced to remove unregistered individuals and enforce immigration laws, focusing on operational control of borders.
10. Capital Punishment Enforcement
Federal execution policies were reinforced, encouraging collaboration with states on capital punishment cases.
11. Unleashing Domestic Energy Resources
The administration promoted U.S. energy production, including oil, natural gas, and pipelines, while eliminating regulations seen as burdensome.
12. Restoring Merit in Federal Hiring
Trump replaced DEI hiring initiatives with merit-based systems to refocus on qualifications and competency.
13. Flag Protocol on Inauguration Day
A directive mandated the U.S. flag to be flown at full staff during presidential inaugurations, symbolizing national pride and unity.
14. Review of Federal Investments in China
Policies on U.S. investments in adversary nations, particularly China, were evaluated to ensure alignment with national interests.
15. Executive Succession Orders
Succession plans for key government departments were established to ensure continuity in leadership.
16. Withdrawal from International Agreements
The administration withdrew the U.S. from specific global agreements considered unfavorable to American interests.
17. Crackdown on Human Trafficking
Enhanced measures were introduced to combat human trafficking and smuggling, focusing on national and border security.
18. DNA Verification for Immigrants
Identification measures, including DNA testing, were enforced to verify familial relationships in immigration cases.
19. Defense Against Gender Ideology
Federal gender policies were aligned with biological definitions to address perceived ideological shifts in previous policies.
20. Prioritizing Public Safety in Enforcement
The administration emphasized prosecuting violent crimes and addressing immigration violations to protect public safety.
A Bold Start to the Administration
Trump’s first-day actions reflect a decisive pivot from his predecessor’s policies, signaling a renewed focus on border security, national sovereignty, energy independence, and traditional values. These moves mark the beginning of what the administration describes as a return to “America First” governance.
