President Donald J. Trump marked his return to the White House with sweeping executive orders he says are designed to strengthen America's security, boost economic growth, and streamline government operations. The orders, signed hours after taking the oath of office, represent an ambitious agenda for national renewal.
"The golden age of America begins right now," Trump declared during his inauguration speech, before signing the following landmark executive orders:
1. DECLARING A NATIONAL EMERGENCY AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES — President Trump placed the issue of the national border front and center with this order. It invokes emergency powers to restore sovereignty at the southern border and deploys federal resources to protect states from invasion and ensure national security.
2. AMERICA FIRST POLICY DIRECTIVE TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE — This directive for the State Department aims to realign all foreign policy and diplomatic efforts to prioritize American interests.
3. HOLDING FORMER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE FOR ELECTION INTERFERENCE AND IMPROPER DISCLOSURE OF SENSITIVE GOVERNMENTAL INFORMATION — President Trump prioritized honest and fair elections with this order. With the defense of national security in view, he revokes security clearances from former officials who misused their positions. The goal is to ensure the intelligence community remains non-partisan and classified information is safeguarded.
4. DECLARING A NATIONAL ENERGY EMERGENCY — President Trump declared a national energy emergency. His order to restore American energy independence invokes powers to expedite domestic energy production and protect citizens from foreign energy dependence and rising costs.
5. WITHDRAWING THE UNITED STATES FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION — President Trump withdrew the United States from the WHO, pointing out the need for American sovereignty in healthcare. The order also establishes independent biosecurity measures.
6. UNLEASHING AMERICAN ENERGY — This order is intended to restore American energy independence. It removes regulatory barriers to the use of natural resources.
7. DESIGNATING CARTELS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AS FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS AND SPECIALLY DESIGNATED FLOBAL TERRORISTS — This is another order aimed at the southern border crisis in which President Trump designates international cartels as terrorist organizations, enabling federal response to illegal border activity.
8. ENDING RADICAL AND WASTEFUL GOVERNMENT DEI PROGRAMS — The President eliminates DEI programs in federal government, identifying them as discriminatory.
9. REFORMING THE FEDERAL HIRING PROCESS AND RESTORING MERIT TO GOVERNMENT SERVICE — Aimed at discriminatory federal practices, this order brings forward merit as a principle for hiring as well as proposing methods for streamlining recruitment.
10. ESTABLISHING AND IMPLEMENTING THE PRESIDENT’S “DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY” — President Trump created the Department of Government Efficiency. This order is innovative as an attempt to modernize federal systems of economics.
Beyond the initial wave of executive orders, President Trump signed many more, including the restoration of Mount McKinley's historic name, the ending of birthright citizenship, and the issuance of clemency to January 6 defendants. There is still expectation regarding the establishment of an External Revenue Service focused on acquiring taxes through tariffs which is promised to result in a lesser tax burden on Americans.
"From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world," Trump stated during the signing ceremony. "We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer." White House officials indicated these initial orders represent the foundation of a comprehensive agenda for American prosperity. The administration emphasized that each order has been carefully crafted to withstand legal scrutiny and provide immediate benefits to the American people.
"America will soon be greater, stronger, and far more exceptional than ever before," Trump concluded. "We are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success."
