President Donald Trump Sworn into Office and Signs Historic Executive Orders

February 19, 2025

President Donald Trump has taken office and immediately signed more executive orders on his first day than any other president in history. A total of 10 of these orders specifically focus on immigration. "Today I will sign a series of historic executive orders. With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense," Trump declared. Let’s delve into the significant changes President Trump is implementing.


Immigration: A Key Focus of Trump's Campaign


Trump wasted no time in addressing immigration, a central theme of his campaign. Declaring a national emergency at the border, he is deploying US troops to the US-Mexico border. In a bold move, he aims to end the "Catch and Release" policy and promises to continue building the wall. Additionally, Trump plans to label drug cartels as terrorist organisations.


One of the more controversial proposals is his desire to end birthright citizenship. This would require a constitutional amendment since birthright citizenship is currently a constitutional protection. Trump's proposal would apply to future cases and not retroactively affect those who have already been granted citizenship under this policy. Birthright citizenship means that if you are born in the US, you are automatically a citizen, regardless of your parents' nationality.


Upon taking office, Trump shut down the CBP1 app, which many asylum seekers had been using to schedule appointments at the border. This app was instrumental in restoring order for those seeking entry into the US.



Economic Policies: Making America Affordable Again


In his economic strategy, Trump is committed to making America more affordable. He plans to unleash energy policies, declaring a national energy emergency with the rallying cry, "drill, baby, drill." Trump intends to end leasing Wom Farms and expand domestic energy production, alongside lowering EPA emissions standards for cars.


He also plans to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accords. This agreement, adopted in 2015, aims to combat climate change and is legally binding. Trump, however, has been a vocal critic, and this move signals a shift in US policy on climate change.


Trump's economic measures are not limited to executive orders. He believes these energy policies will help reduce the cost of living, aligning with the core Republican conservative values he championed during his campaign.


Social Policies and Federal Mandates


On social policies, Trump is focused on what he refers to as "colourblind and merit-based" policies, vowing to dismantle DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives. He is issuing a federal mandate recognising only two sexes: male and female. This mandate could have wide-ranging implications, potentially affecting passports, federal documents, education policy, and the military.



Renaming Geographic Landmarks


Trump also has plans to rename significant geographic landmarks, such as the Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali. He proposes renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. While it is not uncommon for bodies of water to have different names, implementing such a change would require cooperation with international hydrographic organisations, and other nations may not recognise the new name.


Regarding Mount Denali, Trump plans to restore its original name, Mount McKinley, to honour President William McKinley. Named by a gold prospector who admired McKinley, the mountain's official name was changed to Denali by President Obama in 2015. Denali, meaning "the high one" in Native American origin, was a nod to the mountain's cultural significance. Despite previous opposition from Alaskan Senators, Trump is moving forward with his renaming plans.


Legal Challenges and Public Opinion


Trump's rapid actions have already sparked legal challenges, reflecting the contentious nature of some of his proposals. The public's response is mixed, with supporters applauding his decisive actions and critics raising concerns over the potential implications.


We want to hear from you. Do you agree with these changes? What other actions would you like to see from President Trump? Share your thoughts and join the conversation.


Thank you for checking in on this briefing.


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