Key Executive Orders Signed by US President Donald Trump

Recently, President Donald Trump returned to the White House and signed number of executive orders, marking a very important moment in American governance. He signed approximately 80 executive orders on his first day, including a national emergency declaration at the US-Mexico border and withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and WHO.

Definition of Executive Orders

• Executive orders are directives issued by the President of the United States.
• These orders, which bypass the legislative process, allow the president to enact policies swiftly.
• They manage federal operations and are based on the authority granted under Article II of the US Constitution.
• These orders are published in the Federal Register and carry the force of law.

Legal Basis and Challenges

Executive orders do not require Congressional approval and can be challenged in court. They may be overturned by subsequent presidents or deemed unconstitutional by the judiciary. Notable past challenges include Trump’s travel ban, which faced legal scrutiny.

Historical Usage

Executive orders date back to Abraham Lincoln. Every president has issued them, with Franklin D. Roosevelt holding the record for the most at 3,721. Their use has evolved, reflecting the political landscape and presidential priorities.

Impact of Executive Orders

These orders can take immediate effect or require agency regulations for implementation. They influence governance, often shaping policies on immigration, health, and environmental issues without legislative input.

List of Key Executive Orders by Trump

Withdrawal from Paris Agreement

• Trump initiated the process to pull the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement.
• While the executive order says that the US’ withdrawal from the agreement will be effective “immediately” once the US Ambassador submits formal notice of the US exit, the agreement stipulates that the process takes a full year.
• The agreement aimed to limit global warming to 1.5–2°C, but Trump’s actions reversed climate-related policies to boost fossil fuel production.
• The withdrawal comes after 2024 was recorded to be the hottest year and amid the California wildfires and just months after severe hurricanes hit communities from Florida to North Carolina.
• While the US emissions have been decreasing since the mid-2000s, the country is currently the largest historical contributor of the total carbon emissions.

Offshore Drilling

• On January 6, Biden used the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) (a 70-year-old law) to permanently ban oil and gas drilling in the following areas:

1. All federal waters off the East and West coasts of the U.S.
2. Eastern Gulf of Mexico.
3. Parts of the northern Bering Sea in Alaska.

• The decision was part of Biden’s efforts to combat climate change, citing the risk of irreversible environmental damage and the lack of necessity for U.S. energy needs.
• One of the Trump’s executive orders revoked Biden’s offshore drilling ban and an earlier Biden action (March 2023) that prohibited drilling in 2.8 million acres of the Arctic Ocean.

Withdraw from WHO

• Reasons for Withdrawal
  • WHO’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Failure to adopt urgent reforms.
  • Influence from other member states (political bias).
  • Unfair financial burden on the U.S. (major funding contributor).
• Actions Under the Executive Order:
  • Stopping the transfer of U.S. funds and resources to WHO.
  • Recalling U.S. personnel and contractors working with WHO.
  • Identifying alternative U.S. and global partners to replace WHO’s activities.
  • Halting participation in WHO’s pandemic treaty negotiations, which aim to strengthen global pandemic preparedness and response.

• Financial Impact:

1. WHO’s funding comes from:
   • Mandatory Assessed Contributions: Fixed amounts from member countries.
   • Voluntary Contributions: Donations from governments, philanthropies, etc.
2. The U.S. was the largest contributor to WHO’s funding:
   • Assessed Contributions: U.S. provided 22.5% (mandatory).
   • Voluntary Contributions: U.S. accounted for 13%, while China contributed only 0.14%.
3. In response, other countries like Australia, Indonesia, and Spain pledged USD 1.7 billion during the 2024 funding round.

• Global and Indian Impacts:

1. WHO’s Work:
   • WHO supports global health programs, primary healthcare, disease-specific initiatives, and pandemic preparedness.
   • Losing U.S. expertise and funding impacts WHO’s efficiency and global health programs.
2. India’s Health Programs:
   • WHO supports Indian programs on tropical diseases, HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and antimicrobial resistance.
   • Plays a crucial role in India’s immunization programs, including vaccine coverage monitoring.
   • Funding cuts may reduce WHO’s ability to effectively support such programs.

• Legal Framework for WHO Withdrawal:

1. WHO’s constitution does not include provisions for withdrawal.
2. The U.S. Congress, however, stipulated in 1948 that the U.S. could withdraw by:
   • Providing a one-year notice.
   • Clearing all financial obligations for the current year.

Ending Birthright Citizenship

Trump’s Executive Order Details

1. It will be effective from February 19, 2025.
2. Ends automatic citizenship for children born to parents on temporary visas (e.g., H1B, H-4, student visas).
3. Only children with at least one parent as a US citizen or permanent resident will qualify for citizenship.
4. Impacts families in the green card backlog, particularly Indian nationals.

What is Birthright Citizenship?

• Established by the 14th Amendment in 1868.
• Guarantees automatic US citizenship to anyone born on US soil, regardless of parents’ immigration status (except for children of diplomats and enemy combatants).
• Created to ensure equality after the Civil War, particularly for former slaves.

Legal Challenges:

• Civil rights groups (e.g., ACLU) and 22 states have filed lawsuits claiming the order is unconstitutional.
• Critics argue it violates the 14th Amendment and long-standing Supreme Court precedents.

Higher Education Impact:

• Affected children lose access to in-state tuition, scholarships, and federal aid.
• Without citizenship, they may need student visas after age 21 to continue studies in the US.
• State universities could face financial shortfalls due to reduced enrollments.
• The talent pipeline for STEM fields (critical sectors like technology and healthcare) may weaken.

Broader Implications:

• Reshapes the identity of US immigration policies, moving away from inclusion.
• May lead to a decline in diversity and innovation within immigrant communities and educational institutions.
• Risks exacerbating labor shortages in critical industries.

14th Amendment Debate:

• The phrase “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” is being reinterpreted to exclude children born to legal immigrants on temporary visas.
• This challenges over 150 years of legal understanding.

Renaming Denali

• North America’s tallest peak renamed from Denali (Obama-era name) to Mount McKinley.
• This mountain is located in the Alaska Range, standing 20,310 feet (6,190 m) above sea level.
• Reason for Renaming:
  • Promote the heritage of the United States and celebrate the contributions of American heroes.
  • Honor President William McKinley (1897–1901), known for:
    • Leading the US to victory in the Spanish-American War.
    • Rapid economic growth during his tenure.
    • His role in territorial expansion.
• Policy Objectives:
  • Preserve the legacy of patriotic Americans and national treasures.
  • Recognize historical contributions to the country’s development.
• Background of Mount McKinley:
  • Original Name: Denali, meaning “The High One” in the language of the indigenous Koyukon Athabascan people of Alaska.
  • Renamed Mount McKinley in 1897 by a gold prospector in honor of newly elected President William McKinley.
  • Officially adopted as Mount McKinley National Park in 1917 under President Woodrow Wilson.
  • Obama administration renamed it Denali in 2015, restoring the indigenous name.

Other Key Executive Orders So Far:

National Emergency At the Southern Border

1. This allows the US to send troops to the US-Mexico border to address illegal immigration
2. It will free up resources to build a wall and other barriers in the region.

Capital Punishment Enforcement

• Directed strict enforcement of the death penalty for severe crimes.
• Ordered legal reforms to remove barriers to capital punishment.

Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

• Established a new department led by Elon Musk to modernize federal technology and improve operational efficiency.

Federal Workforce Reforms

• Ended remote work for federal employees.
• Reinstated hiring freezes and removed job protections for specific roles.

Ending ‘Government Weaponization’

• Ordered reviews of misconduct by law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
• It requires attorney General to

1. Review enforcement actions from the past four years
2. Identify cases where individuals were targeted due to political views, religious beliefs, or participation in lawful protests.

• It requires Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to

• • Investigate if the Intelligence Community misused its authority.
  • Focus on cases of illegal surveillance or actions straying from lawful objectives.

TikTok Ban Enforcement Delay

• Provided a 75-day grace period for TikTok’s Chinese parent company to negotiate divestment plans.

Clemency for January 6 Defendants

• Pardoned individuals convicted of crimes related to the Capitol riots and dismissed pending charges.

End of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs

• Rolled back transgender protections and eliminated DEI programs in federal institutions.

Prohibition on Federal Censorship

• Directed federal agencies to avoid limiting constitutionally protected speech under the guise of combating misinformation.

Drug Cartels Designated as Terrorist Organizations

• Classified Mexican and Latin American criminal groups, including MS-13, as foreign terrorist organizations.

Cost-of-Living Crisis Measures

• Proposed initiatives to tackle rising living costs.

National Energy Emergency

• Declared an energy emergency to expedite domestic energy production and infrastructure development.

Foreign Aid Reevaluation

• Paused foreign development aid for 90 days to align assistance with American values and policy goals.

Beautification of Federal Architecture

• Directed efforts to improve the design of federal buildings.

‘America First’ Policy

• Mandated that US foreign policy prioritize American interests and citizens’ needs.

Unlocking Alaska’s Resources

• Promoted energy, mineral, and LNG resource development in Alaska to enhance economic growth and national security.

Renaming Gulf of Mexico

• Trump signed an executive order to rename Gulf of Mexico as Gulf of America
• Currently, there is no formal international agreement or body with the final authority to name maritime areas.
• However, the International Hydrographic Bureau (IHB) works to standardize maritime names and resolve disputes over naming.
• The implementation of renaming the Gulf of Mexico would mean significant logistical challenges like:
  • Updating global maps and charts.
  • Securing international agreements for the name change.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2025

Category: Legal & Constitution Current Affairs