Within mere hours of his inauguration, President Donald Trump was quick to act on his campaign commitments, initiating a flurry of presidential directives that covered a broad spectrum of topics, including immigration policies and the design of federal buildings.
On January 20, the White House’s official website highlighted a total of 46 presidential actions. The early announcements concentrated on appointments, outlining Trump’s nominations for his Cabinet and sub-Cabinet roles, alongside the appointment of acting heads for various agencies. In addition, he issued 26 executive orders, 12 memoranda, and 4 proclamations.
Read More: The Significant Impact of Trump’s Executive Orders
Understanding the differences among these types of presidential actions can be complex, and many of these directives are expected to face legal scrutiny promptly. Here’s what you should know.
While the President cannot create laws outright, he wields considerable authority in determining how federal agencies enforce existing laws. Although executive orders, memoranda, and proclamations lack a formal definition, they are generally recognized as written instructions from the President to government officials and agencies, a tradition that traces back to George Washington. A report from the Congressional Research Service notes that “the distinctions among these documents are primarily formal rather than substantive.”
The report further clarifies, “The key technical difference is that executive orders and proclamations must be recorded in the Federal Register, whereas presidential memoranda are published only when they are determined by the President to have ‘general applicability and legal effect.’”
Historically, executive orders have tackled more controversial issues, while memoranda usually address routine directives for federal agencies that do not attract as much public attention, according to the CRS.
As noted by the Library of Congress, proclamations typically pertain to the activities of private individuals and are largely ceremonial. They are often utilized to announce information regarding holidays, commemorations, special observances, trade, and policy, according to the Federal Register.
“Provided they are issued under a valid claim of authority and published, executive orders and presidential memoranda have the force of law,” asserts a separate CRS report. However, because they stem from implied authority, it’s vital to evaluate the legal basis for each executive order and memorandum, as well as how the President chooses to wield these instruments.
The judicial branch has the power to review executive orders, and they can be confirmed or overturned by the legislative branch, as highlighted by another CRS report. It also notes that “executive orders can be temporary, as a subsequent President can generally revoke or amend any previous order if they disagree,” a move Trump has openly signaled he intends to make regarding numerous actions taken by former President Joe Biden.
Below are summaries of the executive orders, memoranda, and proclamations issued by Trump on January 20.
Proclamation to Fly Flags at Full Staff
In light of former President Jimmy Carter’s passing on December 29, President Biden had proclaimed flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days across all public buildings, including the White House and military sites. However, on Inauguration Day, Trump expressed disagreement with this protocol, prompting Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and several GOP governors to order flags to fly at full staff on January 20 at the Capitol and state buildings.
As his inaugural action, Trump issued a proclamation titled “Flying The Flag Of The United States At Full-Staff On Inauguration Day,” mandating that flags be at full staff on all Inauguration Days, including his own. The proclamation also indicated that flags could be lowered to half-staff in honor of President Carter after the conclusion of Inauguration Day.
Executive Order Revoking Prior Orders
Trump enacted an executive order titled “Initial Rescissions Of Harmful Executive Orders And Actions,” which nullified 78 executive orders and memoranda from the Biden Administration, many of which related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as well as actions addressing climate change. The order criticized the Biden Administration for supposedly embedding “unpopular, inflationary, illegal, and radical practices” throughout federal agencies.
Executive Order on Free Speech
Trump issued an executive order called “Restoring Freedom Of Speech And Ending Federal Censorship,” claiming that the Biden Administration had “trampled free speech rights” by limiting Americans’ speech on digital platforms under the guise of fighting misinformation. The directive instructs the Attorney General to review federal policies from the last four years and suggest necessary corrections.
Executive Order Targeting Government ‘Weaponization’
In an executive order titled “Ending The Weaponization Of The Federal Government,” Trump instructed the Attorney General to “identify and take appropriate action to correct” alleged “politically motivated” law enforcement activities 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 undertake similar inquiries regarding the intelligence community.
Memorandum Ending Remote Work
Trump issued a memorandum titled “Return to In-Person Work,” which requires federal employees in the executive branch to end all remote work arrangements.
Memorandum Freezing New Regulations
In a memorandum called “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,” Trump instructed all executive departments and agencies to hold off on proposing any new rules or directives until they have been reviewed and approved by their respective department heads.
Memorandum Halting Federal Hiring
Trump issued a memorandum titled “Hiring Freeze,” which effectively halts recruitment for federal civilian roles within the executive branch starting at noon on January 20. This memorandum includes exceptions for military personnel and positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety. It also instructs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to develop 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 the freeze is indefinite.
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” aimed at lowering costs for housing, healthcare, food, and fuel while also creating job opportunities. Although specific measures were not detailed, the memorandum calls for the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy to provide updates every 30 days.
Executive Order on Climate Agreement Withdrawal
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. Additionally, the order rescinded U.S. participation in other international climate agreements and any financial commitments related 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 supporters charged in the January 6 attack on the Capitol, which resulted in injuries to over 100 police officers, except for 14 individuals whose sentences were commuted to time served. He also ordered the dismissal of all outstanding indictments related to the January 6 events, affecting 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 video-sharing app TikTok for 75 days. This action followed a brief shutdown of the app over the preceding weekend.
Read More: 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 prior campaign commitment. He had advocated for U.S. withdrawal from the organization towards the end of his first term in 2020, citing its mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, Biden reversed this decision upon taking office in 2021. Reports suggest that this withdrawal could deprive the WHO of 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 previous order from his first term while rescinding a Biden executive order that simplified the hiring and firing of certain federal employees, emphasizing loyalty to the administration.
An addendum states: “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 his previous national security advisor John Bolton, who had publicly commented on potential Russian involvement related to Hunter Biden’s laptop. The directive emphasizes that U.S. policy dictates “the Intelligence Community not engage in partisan politics or be utilized by a political campaign for electioneering purposes,” and prohibits the public revelation of classified information in profit-driven memoirs.
Proclamation Declaring 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, calling for military resources to bolster border security, including the construction of additional barriers and the deployment of drones.
Memorandum Addressing 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 granted interim Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearances for a maximum of six months to resolve delays in accessing the White House complex.
Critics have raised concerns regarding the transparency of this decision. Journalist Roger Sollenberger commented on X, “The only individuals this would apply to are those who did not qualify for a top-secret clearance. Will the public be aware of 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,” targeting multiple 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 underscores the necessity to tackle “unfair and unbalanced trade,” directing officials to analyze trade and tariff policies, particularly those concerning China.
Executive Order Authorizing 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 permitting the U.S. military to devise a plan for troop deployment to the southern border.
Executive Order on Energy Development
In an extensive executive order titled “Unleashing American Energy,” Trump mandated 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 directed to formulate action plans within a month to counteract previous regulations that obstruct energy growth.
The order also revokes 12 regulatory actions from the Biden era associated with clean energy initiatives and instructs federal agencies to “immediately pause” the allocation of funds from the Inflation Reduction Act, which provided billions in subsidies for clean energy projects.
Executive Order Suspending Refugee Resettlement
Trump suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program through an executive order titled “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program.” The suspension is set to take effect on January 27 and will remain indefinite, directing 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, stipulating that it would not apply to individuals born in the U.S. to parents who are neither lawful permanent residents nor citizens at the time of birth. This order already faces legal challenges for contradicting the established interpretation of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.
Executive Order on Securing the U.S.-Mexico Border
Trump rescinded various immigration policies from the Biden administration, reestablishing many of his previous border strategies through a comprehensive executive order titled “Securing Our Borders.” This includes plans for a border wall and reinstating the Remain in Mexico policy (officially known as the Migrant Protection Protocols), which requires asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S. while their claims are processed. The order also abolishes the Biden administration’s CBP One app that facilitated legal entry and terminates the “catch-and-release” practice, promoting increased detention instead.
Under Biden, Trump’s aggressive first-term deportation policy was narrowed to focus on individuals convicted of serious crimes, considered security threats, or captured at the border. The new order, however, calls for criminal charges against and deportation of anyone breaking immigration laws, as well as charges against those who facilitate their unlawful presence in the U.S.
The executive order also eliminates 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 finding a U.S.-based sponsor and passing certain 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” orders the diversion of water from California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for other uses within the state, overriding environmental protections for the region’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 stringent stance on 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 circumstances 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.” Furthermore, it encourages state prosecutors to pursue the death penalty where appropriate and ensures the availability of lethal injection drugs for states.
In December, Biden granted commutations to 37 of 40 federal death row inmates, a move 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 way that honors “regional, traditional, and classical architectural heritage.” Some critics have interpreted the emphasis on classical architecture as a subtle appeal to a segment of nationalists, a point raised 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, who rank just below presidential appointees and enjoy 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,” justifying the need to lower energy costs by ramping up oil and natural gas production across the nation. The order mandates a review of “obstacles to domestic energy infrastructure” stemming from existing legal environmental protections, such as the Endangered Species Act.
Memorandum Pausing Wind Energy Projects
In a memorandum named “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 called for a suspension and review of leasing and permitting for wind energy projects, including halting the Lava Ridge Wind Project in Idaho by Magic Valley Energy. This move aligns with Trump’s prior criticism of renewable energy and his commitment to bolster the oil and natural gas industries.
Executive Order Pausing U.S. Foreign Aid
Trump signed an executive order titled “Reevaluating And Realigning United States Foreign Aid,” which imposes a 90-day suspension of U.S. foreign development assistance while reviewing the nation’s foreign aid programs. The order claims 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 the discretion to waive the pause for specific initiatives. Historically, Republicans have sought cuts to foreign assistance, which typically constitutes around 1% of the federal budget, except in extraordinary circumstances like the significant aid provided to Ukraine.
Memorandum on the National Security Council Structure
In what appears to be an 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 (Global Tax Deal),” effectively withdrawing the U.S. from a significant agreement aimed at establishing a universal corporate minimum tax, which had been ratified by nearly 140 countries. 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” lays out various policies designed to tighten immigration. These policies include restricting 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 titled “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential” reverses numerous restrictions imposed by the Biden Administration on drilling and resource extraction in Alaska, including protections for areas within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, aimed at facilitating oil, gas, and other resource extraction from the state.
Executive Order to Restrict Visas from Certain Nations
Trump’s order titled “Protecting The United States From Foreign Terrorists And Other National Security And Public Safety Threats” intensifies scrutiny on visa applicants, particularly from regions or nations considered security risks, including refugees or stateless individuals. This order mirrors the Muslim travel ban from Trump’s initial term, which he has pledged to reinstate.
Executive Order Promoting ‘America First’ Foreign Policy
Trump instructed the Secretary of State to align the State Department with his isolationist foreign policy strategy 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, confirmed this approach 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,” an agency Trump controversially pledged to establish with Elon Musk at the helm. The order grants DOGE advisory powers to enhance governmental efficiency and productivity.
However, this non-governmental advisory body faces multiple lawsuits, including one claiming that DOGE violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which governs 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 defined federal terms for “women” and “girls” as females, and “men” and “boys” as males, asserting that these definitions are biological, binary, and immutable. The order aims to eliminate the promotion of “gender identity” and “gender ideology” within federal policies and communications. It also mandates that imprisoned trans men be housed in women’s facilities and trans women in men’s facilities, while calling for agencies to limit access to “intimate spaces” based on biological sex rather than identity. Additionally, the order begins the rollback of Biden-era guidelines concerning transgender individuals and gender identity, including specific Title IX protections, directing 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 Eliminating DEI Programs
Trump dismantled federal DEI programs through an executive order titled “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing.” The order mandates the termination of all DEI, accessibility, and environmental justice offices and positions throughout 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 empowers 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 directed the Secretary of the Interior to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and revert Denali—the highest peak in North America—to its former name, Mount McKinley. Former President Barack Obama had renamed Mount McKinley to Denali in 2015, honoring a request from Alaska to respect the mountain’s significance to Native Alaskans.
Proclamation Declaring an ‘Invasion’ and Restricting Entry into the U.S.
Trump characterized conditions 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.”
