After being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20, Donald Trump quickly got to work, signing over 30 executive orders in his first week in office.
Trump has signed more executive orders than any predecessor had at this point in their presidency. The slew of orders covers a wide range of topics the president emphasized during his campaign, including immigration, climate change, abortion, gender identity and much more.
With unprecedented speed, Trump has made many sweeping changes to the federal government, contrasting heavily with the modest count of four executive orders from his first term’s starting week.
Here is a list of every executive order signed on Trump’s first day back in office:
“Unleashing American Energy”
This order encouraged energy exploration on federal lands and offshore, with the goal to make the U.S. the leading producer of non-fuel minerals. The order directs the government to review energy regulations, reform the permit processes relating to energy infrastructure and modify existing carbon regulations. It will also eliminate laws that regulate gas-powered vehicles while reversing a number of other orders signed by former President Biden.
“Declaring a National Energy Emergency”
This order says the U.S.’ energy production has been “inadequate” to meet the country’s needs. It gives the executive branch the power to facilitate energy projects, such as devoting land to oil refining, expediting energy production infrastructure and transporting oil in and through the West Coast, Northeast and Alaska.
“Putting America First In International Environmental Agreements”
President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a treaty that sought to lower the world’s global warming to 34.7 degrees. In the order, Trump said “these agreements steer American taxpayer dollars to countries that do not require, or merit, financial assistance in the interests of the American people.”
“Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Research Potential”
This order encourages the utilization of Alaska’s land, specifically for the U.S. to supply natural gas from Alaskan reserves, by removing limitations on drilling, mining and road-building that Biden had placed in the state.
“Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government”
Under this order, agency heads will investigate previous criminal and civil enforcement conduct that took place under the Biden administration and deemed as possibly being “politically motivated.” It also provides recommendations to hold guilty agencies and individuals accountable.
“Restoring Accountability to Policy-Influencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce”
This order removes civil protections from career federal employees and reclassifies them into a new category. President Trump originally signed this order near the end of his first term, and it was reinstated on Jan. 20.
“Holding Former Government Officials Accountable for Election Interference and Improper Disclosure of Sensitive Governmental Information”
This order revoked security clearances for signees of a letter discrediting a defaming report on Hunter Biden in 2020. It also revoked security clearances for Trump’s former security advisor and author John Bolton, who published a memoir in 2020 describing his time under President Trump.
“Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service”
This order is meant to speed up the process of hiring government employees by prioritizing candidates who are “dedicated to the furthering of American ideals, values, and interests.”
“Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing”
Agencies are ordered to end all diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government and submit reports of all DEI or “environmental justice” employees — or employees of similar programs — to the Office of Management and Budget.
“Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government”
This orders the federal government to recognize only two sexes — male and female — and states the government must refer to individuals by their sex assigned at birth rather than gender identity. It places limits on federal funds to ensure they aren’t used for gender-affirming treatments. The order also says it “shall ensure that males are not detained in women’s prisons or housed in women’s detention centers.”
“Establishing and Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’”
This order establishes the DOGE, an official department remodeled from the U.S. Digital Service. The Digital Service recruited private talents to update government technology, and the DOGE will function similarly.
“Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness”
This order will rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and the mountain Denali to “Mount McKinley” after former President William McKinley.
“Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship”
This prohibits federal employees from interfering with First Amendment rights and orders the attorney general to correct any case where government agencies didn’t adhere to these protections in the last four years.
“America First Policy Directive to the Secretary of State”
This policy orders the secretary of state to guide state departments on how to promote “America First” foreign policies because President Trump aims to put “America and its interests first.”
“Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid”
This order immediately stops foreign aid or assistance to U.S. allies for 90 days so the Trump administration can reevaluate current foreign assistance programs and decide whether to reallocate funds.
“Withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization”
Trump withdrew the U.S. from the WHO, citing “the organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises” as well as frustration with the WHO’s lack of recent reform.
“Clarifying the Military’s Role in Protecting the Territorial Integrity of the United States”
This order creates security at the southern border by commanding the United States Northern Command to seal it and prevent illegal migration and trafficking across the border.
“Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program”
This suspends refugee admissions and applications, effective Jan. 27, to be reconsidered every 90 days. During this freeze, refugees will need to enter the country through a joint decision by the secretary of state and secretary of homeland security.
“Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship”
This order removes birthright citizenship from children whose parents aren’t U.S. citizens, saying these children aren’t covered by the 14th Amendment.
“Securing our Borders”
Federal law enforcement are deployed to the southern border to prevent illegal immigration into the U.S. and crack down on prosecuting those who attempt to cross the border unlawfully.
“Restoring the Death Penalty and Protecting Public Safety”
Trump reversed the Biden administration’s order to stop use of the death penalty, allowing the attorney general to pursue this punishment. State prosecutors are also encouraged to pursue the death penalty in relevant cases.
“Protecting the American People Against Invasion”
This order vastly increases the government’s efforts to criminalize and deport illegal immigrants in the U.S., placing members of the Department of Homeland Security in every state. It also calls for construction of detainment facilities for those awaiting deportation.
“Designating Cartels and Other Organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists”
This requests the secretary of state to recommend whether cartels and other foreign operations should be labeled as foreign terrorist organizations, which would allow Trump to carry out the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The act grants the president power to deport or detain members of named “enemy nations.”
“Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats”
This orders agencies to take stronger precautions when screening immigrants for admittance into the U.S and promotes the idea of a “unified American identity.”
“Application of Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act to TikTok”
This order enacts a 75-day delay on the TikTok ban to protect business partners of the app, and to give the Trump administration more time to come up with a plan that saves TikTok while keeping American information secure.
“Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions”
Trump revoked 48 orders signed by Former President Joe Biden, as well as orders that promoted voter registration and discussed reshaping election maps. In the order, Trump cites “the injection of ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion,’” inflationary practices, “climate extremism” and border insecurity as actions of the past administration.
