WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced on Monday his intention to issue a series of executive orders and directives aimed at quickly shaping his administration’s agenda, focusing on key issues from energy policy to immigration.
Two sources familiar with the plans said more than 200 such orders and directives could be issued in what is known internally as a “shock and awe” effort.
Here’s what we know about the executive orders so far:
Immigration
In an inaugural address shortly after being sworn in for a second term in the White House, Trump said he would declare illegal immigration a national emergency, send troops to the U.S.-Mexico border and reinstate his “remain in Mexico” policy. .
He also said he would seek to stop all illegal entries and detain all immigrants caught crossing illegally as part of a broad immigration crackdown that is expected to include deportations.
Trump will issue a sweeping proclamation that aims to block access to all asylum seekers at the border with Mexico, an incoming Trump administration official said. He will also issue an order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for children born in the United States whose parents lack legal immigration status, the official said.
Citing the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, the official said in a briefing: “The federal government will not automatically recognize birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens born in the United States. We will also improve the investigation and control of illegal aliens.”
The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution provides for the granting of citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States.” Any move by Trump to end birthright citizenship would face a legal challenge.
Energy
Trump said he would immediately declare a national energy emergency, vowing to fill strategic oil reserves and export American energy around the world.
“We will become a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help achieve that,” he said.
Trump, who promised during his campaign to “drill, baby, drill,” will also sign an executive order focused on Alaska, an incoming administration official said, adding that the state was critical to U.S. national security and could allow exports of liquefied gas. natural gas to other parts of the US and allies.
The United States will also withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, according to a White House document. Additionally, Trump said he would repeal what he has called an electric vehicle mandate.
Members of his team recommend sweeping changes to cut support for electric vehicles and charging stations and strengthen measures blocking the import of cars, components and battery materials from China, according to a document seen by Reuters.
They also recommended imposing tariffs on all battery materials globally, in a bid to boost U.S. production, and then negotiating individual exemptions with allies, the document shows.
Trump’s executive orders are also likely to seek to roll back the Biden administration’s climate regulations on power plants, end a pause on LNG gas exports and repeal waivers that allow California and other states to have pollution rules. stricter.
Rates
Trump said Monday he would impose tariffs and taxes on countries to enrich Americans, promised an overhaul of the trade system and said the United States would establish an “External Revenue Service.”
“We are establishing the External Revenue Service to collect all tariffs, duties and revenues. It will be massive amounts of money coming into our treasury, from foreign sources,” he said.
Trump will issue a sweeping trade memo on Monday that stops short of imposing new tariffs on his first day in office but instead directs federal agencies to evaluate U.S. trade relationships with China, Canada and Mexico, an incoming U.S. official said. the Trump administration.
The Republican president has promised tariffs of 10% on global imports, 60% on Chinese products and a 25% import surcharge on Canadian and Mexican products, tariffs that could disrupt trade flows, increase costs and cause retaliation.
The official, confirming a Wall Street Journal report, said Trump will direct agencies to investigate and remedy persistent trade deficits and address unfair trade and monetary policies of other nations.
The memo will single out China, Canada and Mexico for scrutiny but will not announce new tariffs, the official said. It will direct agencies to assess Beijing’s compliance with its 2020 trade deal with the United States, as well as the status of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, the official said.
Trump believes tariffs would help boost U.S. economic growth, although his opponents warn the costs would likely be passed on to consumers.
Transgender rights
Trump said his administration’s policy would be that there are only two genders, male and female. The president has promised to sign an executive order ending the rights of transgender people in the US military and within US schools.
As for transgender athletes, he said at a rally on Sunday that he would act on his first day to stop the participation of trans athletes in women’s sports.
Diversity programs
Trump will also issue an order ending “radical and wasteful” diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the federal government, an incoming White House official said Monday.
During his first term, Trump signed an executive order to limit efforts to address racial disparities in the workplace, through programs including diversity training within companies.
Biden revoked that executive order on his first day in office in January 2021, and Trump is likely to reinstate his original order early in his second term, and perhaps on his first day in office.
Trump has also criticized “diversity, equity and inclusion” policies within universities.
pardons
Trump has also said he will take action immediately after taking office to grant pardons to some of the hundreds of people convicted or charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters.
Gender-affirming attention
Trump said in a 2023 campaign video that on his first day in office he would repeal Biden administration policies that provide information and resources to those seeking health care so they can align their bodies with the gender they identify with. That care may include hormone therapy and surgery.
drug cartels
Trump said Monday he would also invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to root out foreign gangs and designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, fulfilling a promise he made during the election campaign to crack down on sources of the deadly opioid fentanyl.
Demand that federal workers return to the office
Trump has criticized work-from-home arrangements for tens of thousands of federal employees, which increased sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has vowed to end them.
In December, Trump said that if federal workers refuse to return to the office, “they will be fired.”
By forcing government workers to return to their offices, Trump and his allies hope he can trigger large-scale resignations, which would contribute to his goal of reducing the size of the federal bureaucracy.
