Within mere hours of assuming the presidency, Donald Trump wasted no time in implementing a variety of his campaign promises. He swiftly initiated a series of presidential directives addressing numerous topics, ranging from immigration policies to the design standards for federal buildings.
On January 20, the White House’s official website recorded a total of 46 presidential actions. The early announcements primarily concentrated on appointments, detailing Trump’s selections for his Cabinet and sub-Cabinet roles, along with interim leaders for several government agencies. He also issued 26 executive orders, 12 memoranda, and 4 proclamations.
Read More: The Heavy Toll of Trump’s Executive Orders
Understanding the differences between these types of presidential actions can often be perplexing, and it’s likely that many of them will face legal scrutiny shortly after their announcement. Here’s a breakdown of what you should know.
While the President lacks the authority to enact laws directly, he wields considerable power in determining how federal agencies enforce existing laws. Although there is no official definition for executive orders, memoranda, or proclamations, they are typically regarded as written directives from the President to government officials and agencies, a tradition that dates back to George Washington. A Congressional Research Service (CRS) report clarifies that “the differences between these documents are largely formal rather than substantive.”
The CRS elaborates that “the only technical distinction is that executive orders and proclamations must be published in the Federal Register, while presidential memoranda are only published if the President determines they have ‘general applicability and legal effect.’”
Historically, executive orders have tackled more controversial issues, whereas memoranda usually consist of routine guidance for federal agencies that garner less public attention, according to the CRS.
As the Library of Congress notes, proclamations often pertain to individual activities and are typically ceremonial in nature. They are used to relay information about holidays, commemorative events, trade, and policy, according to the Federal Register.
“As long as they are issued under a valid claim of authority and published, executive orders and presidential memoranda carry the force of law,” asserts another CRS report. However, since these directives stem from implied authority, it’s essential to evaluate the legal basis for each executive order and memorandum and how the President applies these powers.
The judicial branch has the authority to review executive orders, and these can be affirmed or overturned by Congress, as highlighted by another CRS report. It also points out that “executive orders can be temporary; a succeeding President can usually revoke or amend any previous order if they disagree,” a strategy Trump has indicated he intends to pursue with many of former President Joe Biden’s directives.
Below is a summary of the executive orders, memoranda, and proclamations issued by Trump on January 20.
Proclamation for Flags at Half-Staff
After the passing of former President Jimmy Carter on December 29, President Biden had proclaimed that flags should be flown at half-staff for 30 days at all public establishments, including the White House and military bases. However, Trump expressed discontent with this directive on his Inauguration Day, prompting Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and several governors to order flags at full-staff on January 20 at the Capitol and state facilities.
In his first action, Trump issued a proclamation titled “Flying The Flag Of The United States At Full-Staff On Inauguration Day,” which mandated that flags be raised to full-staff on all Inauguration Days, including his own. The proclamation acknowledged that flags could be lowered to half-staff in remembrance of President Carter after the conclusion of Inauguration Day.
Executive Order to Revoke Previous Orders
Trump signed an executive order titled “Initial Rescissions Of Harmful Executive Orders And Actions,” which annulled 78 executive orders and memoranda from the Biden Administration. Many of these orders focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as well as strategies addressing the climate crisis. The order criticized the Biden Administration for allegedly incorporating “unpopular, inflationary, illegal, and radical practices” across federal agencies.
Executive Order on Free Speech
Trump issued an executive order entitled “Restoring Freedom Of Speech And Ending Federal Censorship,” claiming that the Biden Administration had “trampled free speech rights” by suppressing Americans’ speech on digital platforms under the guise of combating misinformation. This directive instructs the Attorney General to evaluate federal policies from the past four years and suggest necessary corrective measures.
Executive Order Addressing Government ‘Weaponization’
In an executive order titled “Ending The Weaponization Of The Federal Government,” Trump directed the Attorney General to “identify and take appropriate action to correct” alleged “politically motivated” law enforcement actions within the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Federal Trade Commission. The order also requires the Director of National Intelligence to perform similar tasks concerning the intelligence community.
Memorandum to End Remote Work
Trump issued a memorandum titled “Return to In-Person Work,” which requires federal employees in the executive branch to discontinue all remote work arrangements.
Memorandum Freezing New Regulations
In a memorandum named “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,” Trump directed all executive departments and agencies to refrain from proposing new rules or directives until they have been reviewed and approved by their respective heads.
Memorandum to Halt Federal Hiring
Trump issued a memorandum titled “Hiring Freeze,” effectively halting the recruitment of federal civilian employees in the executive branch, starting at noon on January 20. This memorandum allows exceptions for military personnel and roles associated with immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety. Additionally, it instructs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to devise a plan within 90 days “to reduce the size of the Federal Government’s workforce through efficiency improvements and attrition,” after which the hiring freeze will be lifted, except for the IRS, where it remains indefinitely in place.
Memorandum on Emergency Price Relief
In a memorandum titled “Delivering Emergency Price Relief for American Families and Defeating the Cost-of-Living Crisis,” Trump directed executive departments and agencies to implement measures for “emergency price relief” focused on reducing costs related to housing, healthcare, food, and fuel while also creating job opportunities. While specific measures were not detailed, the memorandum calls for the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy to provide status updates every 30 days.
Executive Order to Withdraw from Climate Agreements
Trump announced an executive order titled “Putting America First In International Environmental Agreements,” which effectively withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement aimed at reducing carbon emissions. The order also rescinded U.S. participation in other international climate agreements and any financial commitments tied to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, while immediately revoking the U.S. International Climate Finance Plan.
Proclamation Pardoning January 6 Rioters
In a proclamation titled “Granting Pardons And Commutation Of Sentences For Certain Offenses Relating To The Events At Or Near The United States Capitol On January 6, 2021,” Trump pardoned individuals charged in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, which resulted in injuries to over 100 police officers, with the exception of 14 individuals whose sentences were commuted to time served. He also ordered that all ongoing indictments related to the January 6 events be dismissed, covering an estimated 1,500 defendants.
Executive Order Delaying TikTok Ban
Trump signed an executive order titled “Application Of Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act To TikTok,” which effectively postponed the U.S. ban on the Chinese-owned TikTok app for 75 days. This order followed a brief suspension of the app over the preceding weekend.
Read More: Here’s What Happened When India Banned TikTok in 2020
Executive Order to Withdraw from the WHO
Trump enacted an executive order titled “Withdrawing The United States From The World Health Organization,” fulfilling a campaign promise made earlier. He had expressed a desire for U.S. withdrawal from the health organization toward the end of his first term in 2020, citing its inadequate response to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, Biden reversed this decision upon taking office in 2021. Reports suggest that this withdrawal could cost the WHO approximately $130 million in annual funding from the U.S.
Executive Order on Federal Employment Policies
Trump’s executive order titled “Restoring Accountability To Policy-Influencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce” reinstates and modifies a prior order from his first term while revoking a Biden executive order that facilitated the hiring and firing of specific federal employees, emphasizing loyalty as a criterion.
An addendum specifies: “Employees in or applicants for Schedule Policy/Career positions are not required to personally or politically support the current President or the policies of the current administration. However, they are expected to faithfully implement administration policies to the best of their ability, in accordance with their constitutional oath, and the executive authority vested solely in the President. Noncompliance may lead to dismissal.”
Executive Order Revoking Security Clearances
Trump signed an executive order titled “Holding Former Government Officials Accountable For Election Interference And Improper Disclosure Of Sensitive Governmental Information.” This order revokes the security clearances of over 40 former intelligence officials, including Trump’s former national security advisor John Bolton, who had publicly discussed potential Russian involvement in information purportedly from Hunter Biden’s laptop. The directive emphasizes that U.S. policy mandates “the Intelligence Community not engage in partisan politics or be utilized by a political campaign for electioneering purposes,” and prohibits the public disclosure of classified information in profit-driven memoirs.
Proclamation Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border
In a proclamation titled “Declaring A National Emergency At The Southern Border Of The United States,” Trump declared a national emergency and called for military resources to aid with border security, including constructing additional physical barriers and employing drones.
Memorandum on Resolving Security Clearance Delays
Trump issued a memorandum titled “Memorandum to Resolve the Backlog of Security Clearances for Executive Office of the President Personnel,” directing the White House counsel to provide the White House Security Office and Acting Chief Security Officer with a list of staff who would receive interim Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearances for a maximum of six months to alleviate delays in accessing the White House complex.
Critics have raised alarms about the transparency of this decision. Journalist Roger Sollenberger remarked on X, “The only individuals this would apply to are those who did not qualify for a top-secret clearance. Will the public know who receives these special Trump clearances, or will the list remain private?”
Memorandum on Trade Policy
Trump issued a memorandum titled “America First Trade Policy,” which targets several Cabinet secretaries, the U.S. Trade Representative, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, the Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, and the director of the Office of Management and Budget. The memorandum emphasizes the necessity of addressing “unfair and unbalanced trade,” directing officials to review trade and tariff policies, particularly those related to China.
Executive Order on Military Troop Deployment to the Border
Trump signed an executive order titled “Clarifying The Military’s Role In Protecting The Territorial Integrity Of The United States,” effectively authorizing the military to develop a plan for deploying troops to the southern border.
Executive Order on Energy Development
In a comprehensive executive order titled “Unleashing American Energy,” Trump called for an immediate review of agency practices that “may hinder” the development of domestic energy resources, particularly focusing on “natural gas, coal, hydropower, biofuels, critical minerals, and nuclear energy.” Agencies are instructed to devise action plans within one month to counter previous regulations that obstruct energy growth.
The order also nullifies 12 regulatory actions from the Biden era related to clean energy initiatives and instructs federal agencies to “immediately pause” the allocation of funds from the Inflation Reduction Act, a Biden-era law that provided billions in subsidies for clean energy projects.
Executive Order Suspending Refugee Resettlement
Trump suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program in an executive order titled “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program.” The suspension is set to commence on January 27 and will remain indefinite, requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to provide a report every 90 days regarding the potential resumption of refugee resettlement.
Executive Order Redefining Birthright Citizenship
Trump introduced an executive order titled “Protecting The Meaning And Value of American Citizenship,” which seeks to redefine birthright citizenship, stating it would not apply to children born in the U.S. to parents who are neither lawful permanent residents nor citizens at the time of birth. This order is anticipated to face legal challenges as it contradicts the established interpretation of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.
Executive Order on Securing the U.S.-Mexico Border
Trump revoked several immigration policies from the Biden administration, reinstating many of his earlier border strategies through an extensive executive order titled “Securing Our Borders.” This includes plans for a border wall and reviving the Remain in Mexico policy (formally known as the Migrant Protection Protocols), which requires asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S. while their claims are processed. The order also terminates the Biden administration’s CBP One app, which aided in legal entry, and abolishes the “catch-and-release” practice, promoting increased detention instead.
Under Biden, Trump’s aggressive deportation policy from his first term was narrowed to target individuals convicted of serious crimes, deemed security threats, or caught at the border. The new order, however, calls for criminal charges against and deportation of anyone violating immigration laws, as well as charges against those facilitating their unlawful presence in the U.S.
Moreover, the executive order abolishes the Biden-era humanitarian parole program that allowed migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to apply for entry authorization into the U.S. for up to two years, contingent upon securing a U.S.-based sponsor and passing specific vetting criteria.
Memorandum on Environmental Protections in California
Trump’s memorandum titled “Putting People Over Fish: Stopping Radical Environmentalism to Provide Water to Southern California” directs the redirection of water from California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for use elsewhere in the state, overriding environmental protections for the Delta’s wildlife. Recently, Trump urged California Governor Gavin Newsom during wildfires in Southern California to “RELEASE THE WATER FROM UP NORTH. MILLIONS OF GALLONS A DAY. WHAT’S TAKING YOU SO LONG?”
Executive Order Expanding the Death Penalty
Trump called for a more assertive approach to the death penalty with an executive order titled “Restoring The Death Penalty And Protecting Public Safety.” The order instructs the Attorney General to pursue the death penalty for all capital offenses and to seek federal jurisdiction and the death penalty “regardless of other factors for every federal capital crime involving: the murder of a law-enforcement officer; or a capital crime committed by an alien illegally present in this country.” Additionally, it encourages state prosecutors to pursue the death penalty when appropriate and ensures the availability of lethal injection drugs for states.
In December, Biden commuted the sentences of 37 of 40 federal death row inmates, a decision that Trump cannot reverse.
Memorandum on Classical Architecture for Federal Buildings
A memorandum titled “Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture” advocates for federal buildings to be designed in a manner that reflects “regional, traditional, and classical architectural heritage.” Critics have regarded the emphasis on classical architecture as a coded appeal to a segment of nationalists, a sentiment expressed by former deputy director of the Architecture Association, Phineas Harper, in 2020.
Memorandum on Civil Service Accountability
In a memorandum titled “Restoring Accountability for Career Senior Executives,” Trump asserted that career Senior Executive Service officials, positioned just below presidential appointees and possessing various employment protections, must be accountable to the President. The directive instructs heads of federal agencies to reassign or replace SES members to “optimally” implement Trump’s agenda and ensure accountability.
Executive Order Declaring a National Energy Emergency
Trump signed an executive order titled “Declaring a National Energy Emergency,” citing the need to reduce energy costs as a reason for increasing oil and natural gas production across the country. The order mandates a review of “obstacles to domestic energy infrastructure” arising from legal environmental protections, including the Endangered Species Act.
Memorandum Pausing Wind Energy Projects
In a memorandum called “Temporary Withdrawal of All Areas on the Outer Continental Shelf from Offshore Wind Leasing and Review of the Federal Government’s Leasing and Permitting Practices for Wind Projects,” Trump requested the suspension and review of leasing and permitting for wind energy initiatives, including halting the Lava Ridge Wind Project in Idaho by Magic Valley Energy. This action aligns with Trump’s previous criticisms of renewable energy and his commitment to enhance the oil and natural gas sectors.
Executive Order Pausing U.S. Foreign Aid
Trump signed an executive order titled “Reevaluating And Realigning United States Foreign Aid,” which calls for a 90-day suspension of U.S. foreign development assistance while reviewing the nation’s foreign aid programs. The order asserts that the “foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are misaligned with American interests and often counter to American values,” although it allows the Secretary of State to waive the pause for specific initiatives. Historically, Republicans have sought cuts to foreign assistance, which generally makes up roughly 1% of the federal budget, except in extraordinary circumstances such as the substantial aid provided to Ukraine.
Memorandum on the National Security Council Structure
In a seemingly administrative memorandum regarding the “Organization of the National Security Council and Subcommittees,” Trump outlined the structure, composition, and objectives of the National Security Council for his administration.
Memorandum on Exiting OECD Global Tax Deal
Trump issued a memorandum titled “The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Global Tax Deal,” effectively pulling the U.S. out of a major agreement aimed at establishing a universal corporate minimum tax, ratified by nearly 140 nations. The U.S. had signed this global tax deal in October 2021, aimed at curtailing the competitive reduction of corporate tax rates.
Executive Order Tightening Immigration Laws
An executive order titled “Protecting The American People Against Invasion” introduces various policies aimed at restricting immigration. These include limiting federal funding to so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, allocating resources for additional detention centers, and establishing Homeland Security Task Forces in every state to “utilize all available law enforcement tools to faithfully enforce U.S. immigration laws.”
Executive Order Repealing Environmental Protections in Alaska
The executive order “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential” reverses various restrictions set by the Biden Administration on drilling and resource extraction in Alaska, including protections for areas within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, to facilitate oil, gas, and other resource extraction from the state.
Executive Order to Restrict Visas from Certain Countries
Trump’s order titled “Protecting The United States From Foreign Terrorists And Other National Security And Public Safety Threats” intensifies scrutiny of visa applicants, particularly from regions or countries viewed as security threats, including refugees or stateless individuals. This order echoes the Muslim travel ban from Trump’s first term, which he has pledged to reinstate.
Executive Order Advocating ‘America First’ Foreign Policy
Trump instructed the Secretary of State to align the State Department with his isolationist foreign policy approach that prioritizes “America and American citizens” in an executive order titled “America First Policy Directive To The Secretary Of State.” Trump’s Secretary of State nominee, Marco Rubio, echoed this sentiment during his Senate confirmation hearing, stating: “Under President Trump, the top priority of the United States Department of State will be the United States.”
Executive Order Establishing DOGE
Trump signed an executive order titled “Establishing And Implementing The President’s ‘Department Of Government Efficiency’” that renames the U.S. Digital Service to the “Department of Government Efficiency.” This agency, which Trump controversially pledged to establish with Elon Musk at the helm, is granted advisory powers to enhance governmental efficiency and productivity.
However, this non-governmental advisory body faces multiple lawsuits, including one alleging that DOGE violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which ensures the accountability of federal advisory committees.
Executive Order Defining Gender and Reducing Transgender Protections
In an executive order titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government,” Trump delineated federal definitions of “women” and “girls” as females, and “men” and “boys” as males, asserting that these definitions are biological, binary, and immutable. The order seeks to eliminate the promotion of “gender identity” and “gender ideology” from federal policies and communications. It also mandates that imprisoned trans men be housed in women’s prisons and trans women in men’s prisons, and calls for agencies to restrict access to “intimate spaces” based on biological sex instead of identity. Furthermore, the order initiates the rollback of Biden-era guidelines concerning transgender individuals and gender identity, including specific Title IX protections, instructing the Attorney General to “ensure the freedom to express the binary nature of sex and the right to single-sex spaces in workplaces and federally funded entities governed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”
Executive Order to Eliminate DEI Programs
Trump dismantled federal DEI programs through an executive order titled “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing.” The order requires the termination of all DEI, accessibility, and environmental justice offices and roles across the federal government.
Executive Order Advocating Merit-Based Federal Hiring
Trump further targeted DEI initiatives with an executive order titled “Reforming The Federal Hiring Process And Restoring Merit To Government Service.” This order prohibits federal hiring practices based on race, sex, or religion, labeling diversity initiatives as “illegal racial discrimination under the guise of ‘equity’ or commitment to the constructed concept of ‘gender identity’ over biological sex.” It emphasizes the importance of prioritizing “merit” and “skill” in hiring processes.
Executive Order Designating Gangs as Terrorist Organizations
The President categorized drug cartels, the Salvadoran gang MS-13, and the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as foreign terrorist organizations in an order titled “Designating Cartels And Other Organizations As Foreign Terrorist Organizations And Specially Designated Global Terrorists.” This classification allows the federal government to prosecute supporters of these cartels for providing material support to terrorists, and the Trump administration intends to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport anyone designated as a terrorist under this order.
Executive Order Renaming Denali and the Gulf of Mexico
In an executive order titled “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness,” Trump instructed the Secretary of the Interior to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and revert Denali—the tallest mountain in North America—to its previous name, Mount McKinley. Former President Barack Obama had renamed Mount McKinley to Denali in 2015, honoring a request from Alaska to recognize the mountain’s significance to Native Alaskans.
Proclamation Declaring an ‘Invasion’ and Restricting Entry into the U.S.
Trump characterized the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border as an “invasion” in an executive order titled “Guaranteeing The States Protection Against Invasion.” Citing the inability to conduct thorough medical and criminal background checks due to the migrant crisis, as well as “emergency tools” within the Immigration and Nationality Act, the proclamation suspends entry by “any alien engaged in the invasion across the southern border of the United States.” It also instructs the Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of State, and Attorney General to “take all appropriate action to repel, repatriate, or remove any alien engaged in the invasion across the southern border of the United States.”
