On his first day in office, President Donald Trump wasted no time in making a significant impact. True to his showman style, Trump made bold decisions and signed executive orders that echoed his promises to restore what he believed was the true essence of America. From immigration policies to military regulations, here’s a detailed look at the Trump executive orders from his first day in office in 2025, and how they impacted America’s future.
Trump executive orders 2025: A Dramatic Start to His Second Term
When Donald Trump took the oath of office for his second term, he turned the inauguration into a spectacle. The moment was a perfect blend of reality TV and presidential tradition, as Trump announced his decisions and signed executive orders in full public view. Over the course of the day, Trump signed numerous orders, some of which reversed decisions made by his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Key Highlights:
- Trump rescinded 78 Biden-era executive orders and presidential memoranda on his first day, making sure his vision for the country took center stage.
- The day saw Trump issuing over 200 executive orders, signaling a swift return to the policies he championed during his first term.
1. Birthright Citizenship: Trump’s Bold Push to End a Constitutional Right
One of the most controversial of Trump’s executive orders was his push to end birthright citizenship. This constitutional right guarantees U.S. citizenship to anyone born on American soil, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. With this order, Trump sought to exclude children of illegal immigrants from gaining U.S. citizenship automatically.
The legal implications were immediate. The order faced pushback from rights groups, with lawsuits filed to challenge it. The big question is whether Trump can enforce such a change through a presidential executive order without Congress’s approval, or if this will become another contentious battle in the courts.
2. Immigration and National Emergency: A Hardline Stance on Border Security
In line with his stance on immigration, President Trump declared a National Emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. His goal? A complete crackdown on illegal immigration. Trump issued a sweeping directive to seal the border and considered using the U.S. military to assist in enforcement. This order also included plans to construct more detention centers and ramp up deportations.
With an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the country, the challenge of enforcement is monumental. But Trump was resolute in his decision, reinforcing his campaign promises to tackle what he described as “criminal aliens.”
3. Pardons: A Controversial Move on January 6 Rioters
Another major decision on Trump’s first day in office was his sweeping pardons for over 1,500 individuals, including those involved in the January 6th Capitol riots. This act of clemency extended not only to his supporters but also instructed government lawyers to drop all cases related to the riot.
This move was in line with Trump’s populist base, signaling his unwavering support for those who rallied behind him, regardless of the charges against them. It sparked mixed reactions, with many criticizing the pardons as an endorsement of the insurrection.
4. Military and Social Policies: A Return to Traditional Values
President Trump’s executive orders also targeted military and social policies. He issued a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, which had previously been lifted by President Obama. Additionally, Trump rescinded policies promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the military, arguing that the military should focus solely on national defense rather than social issues.
Trump’s approach was clear: he wanted the U.S. military to maintain traditional values, recognizing only two genders and removing policies that promoted LGBTQ+ inclusion.
5. Tackling Inflation: A Direct Challenge to Government Agencies
On the economic front, President Trump issued orders to government departments aimed at curbing inflation. He directed these departments to take steps such as cutting regulations that he believed contributed to rising prices in the U.S. economy.
In his view, tackling inflation would require taking action against what he saw as the overreach of government regulations that hindered American businesses. This move was aimed at ensuring that the U.S. economy would recover more quickly under his administration.
6. Global Relations: Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement & Other Bold Moves
Beyond domestic policies, Trump made waves internationally. His first executive actions included withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization (WHO). These moves reaffirmed his “America First” policy, where he prioritized national interests over international commitments.
Additionally, Trump re-added Cuba to America’s list of state sponsors of terrorism and issued a 75-day deadline for TikTok to restructure its ownership. He also proposed renaming geographical landmarks in America, such as changing Mount Denali back to Mount McKinley, a move that appealed to his supporters and aimed to challenge Obama-era decisions.
7. Workforce and Foreign Aid: Shaping the Future of U.S. Governance
In another executive order, President Trump canceled the work-from-home policy for government employees and imposed a hiring freeze in federal agencies. He also took to social media to announce the firing of four high-ranking Biden administration officials. Trump’s stance on foreign aid was also firm: he suspended all U.S. foreign assistance until a review of aid commitments could be completed.
8. Tariffs: A Waiting Game
Although Trump made bold statements about tariffs on Mexico and Canada due to the ongoing issue of illegal immigration, he did not make any immediate announcements about enacting new tariffs. However, he did set a deadline of February 1st, signaling that action on this front was imminent.
A Strong Start for Trump 2.0
On his first day in office in 2025, President Donald Trump executed a flurry of executive orders that set the tone for his second term. From controversial policies on birthright citizenship to bold economic moves, Trump’s actions were designed to reshape the U.S. government and American society. His executive orders focused heavily on immigration, national security, and restoring what he believed to be traditional American values.
With these early moves, Trump has demonstrated his intent to deliver on campaign promises while asserting his power to bypass Congress through executive actions. Whether these policies will survive legal challenges and congressional opposition remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that Trump’s influence on U.S. policy is profound.