The Trump administration has hit the ground running with a series of dramatic executive orders signed within hours of the 45th president's return to the White House, signalling a sharp reversal of Biden-era policies.
Climate Policy Overhaul
In one of his most significant moves, President Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accord for the second time, reinstating a key policy from his first term. The administration has framed this as prioritising American economic interests over what they describe as "burdensome international climate commitments."
Environmental groups have reacted with alarm, warning that this decision could have profound consequences for global climate cooperation efforts. Meanwhile, industry representatives from fossil fuel sectors have welcomed the move as beneficial for energy independence.
Immigration Crackdown
The administration also unveiled sweeping changes to immigration enforcement, including:
- Reinstating and expanding the "Remain in Mexico" policy
- Accelerating border wall construction projects
- Implementing stricter asylum eligibility criteria
- Increasing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement powers
These measures aim to create what administration officials are calling "the toughest border security regime in American history." Civil rights organisations have already pledged legal challenges, arguing that these policies violate international human rights obligations.
Administration Appointments and Structure
The new administration has begun filling key positions with loyalists from Trump's first term and campaign advisors. Several controversial appointments are expected, though the complete cabinet structure remains unclear as the transition continues.
Observers note that the rapid pace of executive actions suggests the administration is seeking to establish momentum before potential political or legal obstacles emerge. The tone reflects Trump's campaign promises to pursue an aggressive, America-first agenda from day one.
What Comes Next?
With these initial executive orders setting the administration's direction, attention now turns to:
- Congressional response and potential legislative battles
- International reaction to climate policy shifts
- Legal challenges to immigration enforcement measures
- Economic impacts of these policy reversals
The coming days are expected to bring further executive actions covering economic policy, regulatory reform, and foreign affairs, as the Trump administration works to quickly imprint its vision on American governance.
