His second presidential inauguration ushered in a mountain of executive orders from what President Trump deemed as the start of “the golden age.” In his goal to “make America great again,” he revisited some past topics, including heightening border security, relaxing climate and environmental regulations and limiting LGBTQ+ rights.

In his first 100 days, it seems that President Trump is looking to sign just as many executive actions.

The first 100 days- when did it become important? ?

The first 100 days became a landmark of accomplishment with Franklin Delano Roosevelt when he ascended the presidency amidst an economic depression. He was a remarkable orator, and started “fireside chats” that the nation tuned into over the radio. During these conversations, he talked to the American people about what was happening to the country and how he would fix it.

Many historians say he gave a sense of trust to his listeners, in remarkable contrast to his predecessor, Herbert Hoover, who was known for his stern rhetoric.

Trump’s first 100 days will be the start of a “golden age” in America, according to the president. He spoke to the American public with the assurances that “America will be great again”

The power of the executive order

The tool with which President Trump began to accomplish his presidential goals is the executive order, a way to wield power without permission from congress.

Do executive actions have limits?

Executive actions are not guaranteed outcomes. They are limited to the legal process, which could challenge any or all of the actions in court.  

Congressional approval is not needed for the executive orders to take effect. Congress could respond by blocking an order by removing funding.

The first 100 days of President Trump’s second term

President Trump isn’t the first president to begin his stay at the white house with an undoing of all his predecessor’s orders. He began by undoing 78 of former president Biden’s executive actions.

The rescinded actions included orders involving climate change, fighting public health threats (such as how to handle a plague-like outbreak), lowering prescription drug costs, and limits on artificial intelligence agencies.

Executive actions already signed from his second term

Prior to him taking office, Trump’s campaign had announced he would be signing over 100 executive actions. On his first day he signed 26 executive actions, 12 memoranda, and 4 proclamations.

His first action rescinded 78 executive actions that had been implemented by the Biden administration.

Of the rescinded executive actions, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration laws, climate change regulations, lowered prescription drug caps, and sweeping pardons for those convicted of offense during the January 6 invasion of the United States Capitol were amongst those at the top of the list.  

Many of the executive actions will go into effect immediately while others, like eliminating birthright citizenship for first generation kids born to parents without permanent legal status, will be challenged in court.

LGBTQ+ Rights

The president signed an order that stated there are only two sexes: male and female. This determination is based on biological reproductive parts at conception.

This could mean the issuance of government documents showing people’s sexes at conception. It could also impact transgender inclusion in sports and schools.

The 47th president also rescinded Biden’s 2021 order that had repealed Trump’s ban from his first term in office that prohibited transgender people from serving in the U.S. military.  

Immigration

President Trump signed an executive order stating that birthright citizenship will no longer be recognized in the United States. This means that children of immigrants that don’t have legal status can be subject to deportation.

Trump declared a “national emergency” on the southern US border. Part of the response to that situation ” involves a halt to all refugee admissions in the United States for the next four months.

He ordered a reinstatement of the “remain in Mexico” policy, which requires migrants to stay in Mexico while they await their asylum hearings.

He put an end to the longstanding policy that protected schools, churches, and hospitals from immigration arrests.

President Trump  suspended the US refugee resettlement program.

Climate

Trump withdrew from the Paris climate agreement for the  second time, signing a letter to the United Nations stating his intent.

He also declared a national emergency to expand natural resources production, allowing for immediate oil drilling in Alaska.

Government Spending

The president put a freeze on federal hiring, with a couple of exceptions including the military, until his administration has full control over the government.

Trump also halted federal aid until mid-February in order to ensure all grants and loans match his administration’s agenda.

He also created the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to be headed by Elon Musk, who will have office personnel of up to 20 people.

Clemency for those convicted for January 6

The president pardoned 1500 people associated with the Jan. 6 riot at the capitol and commuted the sentence of 14 people, including Arizona’s QAnon Shaman.

Other actions

Trump announced a postponed enforcement of the federal ban on TikTok, giving the app’s Chinese holding company, ByteDance, time to negotiate a deal with a potential American buyer.

The president withdrew the United States from the World Health Organization, the second time he has attempted the withdrawal from a global health alliance.

He mentioned a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada, two of the most significant United States trading partners  .

He also embraced cryptocurrency in full, releasing his own “Trump coin.”

A directive to the secretary of the interior to rename the Gulf of Mexico to “the Gulf of America” and Denali Mountain to “Mount McKinley.”

Public Response

Some of the executive actions received praise. The CEO of the American Exploration and Production Council, Anne Bradbury, released her approval in a statement after President Trump signed several energy-related executive orders.

“AXPC commends President Trump for issuing several important Executive Orders to expand American energy production because when America is the world leader in oil and natural gas production, our nation is stronger, the world is safer, and the environment is cleaner.”

Many of the orders have garnered opposition. Bishop Marian Edgar Budde, pleaded with President Trump to reconsider his executive actions on immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community during a service at the National Cathedral.

The Bishop asked President Trump to “have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.”