Donald Trump returned to the presidency on Monday (Jan.20). During his first moments in the Oval Office, the 47th U.S. president signed a slew of orders targeting everything from DEI and trans rights to climate change and federal work culture.
Of course, his first priority was to roll back as many of the Biden administration’s policies as he could. However, some of the more radical orders signed on Jan.20 have raised some very real concerns about the future of America.
Here’s the breakdown:
Dismantling DEI
Delivering on a campaign promise to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts across federal agencies, Trump signed an executive order rescinding Biden-era mandates that had established DEI programs throughout the government.
“The previous administration has embedded deeply unpopular, inflationary, illegal, and radical practices within every agency and office of the Federal Government,” the order states. “The injection of ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI) into our institutions has corrupted them by replacing hard work, merit, and equality with a divisive and dangerous preferential hierarchy.”
Though the order stops short of addressing DEI initiatives in the private sector, a senior White House official issued a pointed warning to corporations, hinting that “more actions” targeting these policies are on the horizon. The timing of the executive order, signed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, ignited fierce criticism from civil rights leaders who argued that the legislation would corrupt generations of progress in workplace diversity and economic opportunity
The Paris Climate Accord
Trump wasted no time reaffirming his stance on climate policy, withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement for the second time.
“I’m immediately withdrawing from the unfair, one-sided Paris climate accord rip-off,” he said during his inauguration remarks. “The United States will not sabotage our own industries while China pollutes with impunity.”
The move could potentially isolate the U.S. from global allies and sacrifice economic opportunities in clean energy markets. The country still remains the largest contributor to total carbon dioxide emissions in history.
Withdrawing From the WHO
Trump withdrew from the World Health Organization during his first term as president amid concerns from public health experts who fear setbacks in combating global diseases. Trump has defended the move by reasserting his belief that the U.S. should be more independent in global health matters.
According to Trump, the reason for the withdrawal is “due to the organization’s mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states”.
Trump signed an executive order to WITHDRAW the USA from the WHO.
— KT (@Kinnzayyy) January 21, 2025
Of all the Executive Orders he signed today, I consider this one of the most important.
It will be much harder to launch another scamdemic without the US. pic.twitter.com/Ve3eSXvbgm
Jan. 6 Capitol Hill Riot Pardons
In a controversial start to his term, Trump issued over 1,500 pardons to those involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. The Justice Department charged approximately 1,600 individuals for their roles in the Jan. 6 Capitol chaos—including 600 accused of assaulting or obstructing police. Of those, approximately 1,100 admitted guilt or faced convictions in court. The remaining 500 cases lingered in legal limbo, which has now come to an end.
“These people have been destroyed,” Trump said as he signed the “full, complete and unconditional” pardons Monday night. “What they’ve done to these people has been outrageous.”
TikTok Drama: Saved, for Now
In a surprising twist, Trump extended TikTok’s life in the U.S. by 90 days, declaring his soft spot for the platform. While national security concerns remain, Trump’s decision will rest on one major caveat. “The U.S. should own half of TikTok,” Trump said.
He values the social media app to be worth a trillion dollars.
Cuba Policy
Trump froze Biden’s moves to lift Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, thus easing any sanctions against the oppressed nation and is clearly an attempt to further isolate Cuba. On social media, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel responded by calling Trump’s decision to revoke Biden’s measures an “act of mockery and abuse.”
Wow. Trump just signed an executive order pardoning 1,500 January 6th insurrectionists. One of Trump’s first moves as president is to release criminals. America, we’re in for a rough four years. pic.twitter.com/bm4Dg5YxD3
— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) January 21, 2025
Federal Employees Must Return to the Office
Goodbye, sweatpants. Trump’s executive order mandates federal workers return to the office five days a week, ending the remote work culture introduced during the pandemic.
“Heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of Government shall, as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis, provided that the department and agency heads shall make exemptions they deem necessary,” the executive order states.
The majority of federal workers currently work in the office, with just 6% of federal employees working remotely.
“If you’re working for America, you’re showing up,” he boldly stated.
Immigration Shake-up
Trump proposed ending birthright citizenship for future children born to mothers in the U.S. unlawfully or temporarily—unless the child’s father has legal, permanent status. Federal agencies would be charged with pinpointing nations that fail to share sufficient information about their citizens, leading to likely entry bans.
Declaring a national emergency, Trump revealed his plans to deploy the military to the border. He is also seeking to stop all refugee admissions until policies align with what he considers to be U.S. interests while designating cartels and gangs, such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organizations. Sanctuary cities will also be targeted as he plans to limit federal funding and possible legal action under his plan, and undocumented immigrants would be required to register and be fingerprinted.
Immigration advocates are bracing for renewed legal battles.
The Death Penalty Debate
Trump’s execution order on lethal injection drugs marks an aggressive standpoint on capital punishment, establishing potential conflicts with states and activists.
“The Government’s most solemn responsibility is to protect its citizens from abhorrent acts, and my Administration will not tolerate efforts to stymie and eviscerate the laws that authorize capital punishment against those who commit horrible acts of violence against American citizens,” Trump’s order reads.
During his first term, Trump’s administration carried out a staggering 13 federal executions—a number unmatched by any modern president.
The Deep Freeze
As a nod to his smaller-government ideology, Trump froze federal hiring and many Biden-era regulations. Effective immediately, the directive bars all agencies and departments from filling vacant positions, instead forcing them to stretch the resources of their current teams and budgets. The Office of Management and Budget, Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Government Efficiency directors will present a strategy to decrease the size of the federal workforce within 90 days.
Thr are only 2 genders, male & female, announces US Prez Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/EitPZUC2HK
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) January 20, 2025
Gender Rights
Trump rolled back several Biden-era directives, which his administration described as “unpopular, inflationary, illegal, and radical practices within every agency and office of the Federal Government.” Among the reneged orders were policies developed to thwart discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
In a highly contentious move, Trump also signed an order recognizing only two genders—male and female—and declaring that these designations are unchangeable.
“As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female,” he proclaimed during his inaugural address.
“The president can’t simply wave a pen and erase the reality of who people are—or the fact that we, as a community, exist,” Jennifer C. Pizer, chief legal officer at Lambda Legal, told NBC News. Lambda Legal, a prominent civil rights organization advocating for LGBTQ Americans, is steadfast in its stance. “We have equal protection rights, just like anyone else,” Pizer emphasized, underscoring the resilience of a community that refuses to be marginalized.
