Washington, DC – On his first day as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump wasted no time in taking bold actions, signing a flurry of executive orders that touch on a wide range of issues, from global health to immigration, climate policy, and government reform. Among the most significant decisions was the announcement that the United States would begin the process of withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO), marking the second time in Trump’s political career that he has moved to sever ties with the global health body.
US to Withdraw from WHO
Trump signed an executive order to formally begin the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO, citing the organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in Wuhan, China, and its failure to adopt necessary reforms. He also criticized the WHO for its political influence from member states, particularly China, and highlighted what he called “unfairly onerous payments” the U.S. was making to the organization.
In a brief comment upon signing the order, Trump noted, “Oooh, that’s a big one,” signaling the weight of this decision. He added that, “They wanted us back so badly, so we’ll see what happens,” hinting that the U.S. might eventually rejoin the organization, but only on its own terms. Public health experts, including Ashish Jha, former COVID-19 response coordinator under President Biden, warned that leaving the WHO would harm not only global health efforts but also U.S. leadership in combating infectious diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.
Immigration and Border Security: A Tougher Stance
Trump’s executive actions also focused heavily on immigration, continuing his hardline stance on border security. He declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, citing the need to combat illicit drugs, human trafficking, and crime associated with illegal crossings. Trump ordered the military to “seal the borders” and reinitiated efforts to build additional physical barriers along the southern border, a key promise from his 2016 campaign.
In addition, Trump moved to halt automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants, a policy that could face legal challenges due to the 14th Amendment, which has long been interpreted to guarantee citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil. He also announced the suspension of the U.S. refugee resettlement program for four months and reintroduced the controversial “Remain in Mexico” policy, requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their applications are processed.
Trump signed an order that reinstates the death penalty for certain immigrant criminals and ends the practice of “catch and release,” which allows migrants to live in the U.S. while awaiting court hearings. His administration is also planning what it describes as the largest deportation program in U.S. history.
Climate and Energy: Reversing Biden’s Policies
In the realm of climate and energy, Trump once again pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement, a decision he had first enacted in 2017 and which had been reversed by President Biden. He signed a directive to withdraw from the landmark international deal designed to limit global temperature rises, following through on his pledge to prioritize American energy production. Trump also declared a national energy emergency and signed an order aimed at expanding the oil and gas potential in Alaska.
Additionally, Trump moved to undo Biden’s environmental regulations, including halting the Green New Deal and any infrastructure plans designed to combat climate change. His administration directed federal agencies to halt funds allocated through the Inflation Reduction Act and other green initiatives, signaling a return to a fossil fuel-focused energy policy.
Diversity, Gender, and Government Reform
Trump issued a sweeping executive order declaring that the U.S. will only recognize two genders: male and female, based on what he described as “fundamental and incontrovertible reality.” This order is expected to affect transgender policy, including civil rights protections, federal funding, and government communications related to gender.
In another controversial move, Trump ended all federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The order called for the elimination of policies, statements, and communications that support “gender ideology,” and signaled a rollback of efforts to address systemic discrimination within the federal government.
Trump also created the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), a new agency aimed at reducing government costs. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, was appointed to lead the department, with a staff of around 20 employees.
Government Hiring Freeze and Censorship
In an effort to bring more control to the executive branch, Trump signed an order freezing new federal hiring, except for positions in the U.S. military and certain other categories. He also mandated that federal workers return to in-person work and cease teleworking, a move that has sparked concern among those advocating for more flexible work arrangements.
Trump also signed an executive order aimed at restoring “freedom of speech” by preventing government censorship. The order directs the Department of Justice to investigate alleged activities by officials at agencies such as the SEC and FTC, claiming that political adversaries were unfairly targeted during the previous administration.
Reversing Biden’s Foreign Policies
Trump took action to reverse several Biden-era policies, particularly those related to foreign relations. He issued a directive to reinstate Cuba on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation that had been removed by the Biden administration. He also announced plans to reimpose sanctions on Venezuela, further tightening the U.S.’s stance on these two nations.
In a nod to his “America First” foreign policy, Trump paused foreign aid and ordered a review of foreign assistance programs. The move reflects his criticism of U.S. international commitments and aims to prioritize American interests.
Reinstating Controversial Trump-era Policies
Trump also sought to reimplement policies from his first term, including the ban on Chinese-owned TikTok and the reinstatement of tariffs on imports from countries like Canada and Mexico. He announced plans to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, and 60% on Chinese goods, continuing his trade war with Beijing.
Trump’s administration has also promised to introduce a federal “Bitcoin stockpile,” a move that could reshape the country’s stance on cryptocurrency.
A Rocky Road Ahead
While many of these executive orders are expected to face legal challenges, particularly those involving immigration and public health, Trump’s actions on day one signal a firm commitment to his campaign promises. From withdrawing from international agreements like the WHO and Paris Climate Accord to pushing for more restrictive immigration policies, the first day of Trump’s second term sets the stage for a contentious and divisive period in U.S. politics. – BBC News
