Within hours of his inauguration, President Donald Trump promptly set his agenda into action by signing a range of presidential directives that addressed various topics, including immigration policies and the design of federal buildings.
On January 20, the White House’s official website recorded 46 distinct presidential actions. The early announcements primarily revolved around staffing, where Trump unveiled his Cabinet and sub-Cabinet nominations, while also appointing acting heads for several government departments. Additionally, he authorized 26 executive orders, 12 memoranda, and 4 proclamations.
Read More: The Heavy Toll of Trump’s Executive Orders
Understanding the differences between these types of presidential actions can be perplexing, and many are likely to face legal scrutiny soon after being issued. Here’s a breakdown of what you should know.
While the President lacks the authority to create laws, he does wield considerable power over how federal agencies enforce existing laws. Executive orders, memoranda, and proclamations, while not formally defined, are typically seen as written instructions from the President to federal officials. This practice has its roots in the administration of George Washington. According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), “the distinction between these documents is largely a matter of form, not substance.”
The CRS clarifies that executive orders and proclamations must be published in the Federal Register, whereas memoranda are only published if deemed to have “general applicability and legal effect” by the President.
Historically, executive orders have typically dealt with more contentious matters, while memoranda often pertain to routine instructions that warrant less public attention, as noted by the CRS.
Proclamations, as defined by the Library of Congress, generally focus on ceremonial matters or the activities of individuals, including announcements regarding holidays, commemorations, trade policies, and various observances, 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 another CRS report. However, since they stem from implied authority, it is essential to evaluate the legal basis for each executive order and memorandum, as well as the President’s application of these instruments.
Executive orders can be subject to judicial review, and they may be upheld or overturned by Congress, as highlighted in another CRS report. It stresses that “executive orders can be temporary, as a future President can generally rescind or amend any previous order with which they disagree,” and Trump has indicated plans to reverse many of former President Joe Biden’s actions.
Below are summaries of the executive orders, memoranda, and proclamations that Trump issued on January 20.
Proclamation for Flags at Half-Staff
In response to the passing of former President Jimmy Carter on December 29, President Biden had issued a proclamation ordering flags at half-staff at all public buildings for 30 days. However, on his Inauguration Day, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with this directive, prompting Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and several Republican governors to declare flags should be raised to full-staff on January 20 at the Capitol and state buildings.
As his initial official act, Trump proclaimed “Flying The Flag Of The United States At Full-Staff On Inauguration Day,” which mandated the display of flags at full-staff on all Inauguration Days, including his own. The proclamation specified that flags could be lowered to half-staff in memory of President Carter after Inauguration Day concluded.
Executive Order to Revoke Previous Orders
Trump signed an executive order titled “Initial Rescissions Of Harmful Executive Orders And Actions,” effectively nullifying 78 executive orders and memoranda from the Biden Administration. This order primarily targeted initiatives focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and actions addressing the climate crisis, while criticizing the Biden Administration for allegedly embedding “unpopular, inflationary, illegal, and radical practices” within federal agencies.
Executive Order on Free Speech
An executive order titled “Restoring Freedom Of Speech And Ending Federal Censorship” was issued by Trump, claiming that the Biden Administration had “trampled free speech rights” by limiting Americans’ speech on digital platforms under the guise of combating misinformation. The directive instructs the Attorney General to review federal policies from the last four years and recommend necessary adjustments.
Executive Order Addressing Government ‘Weaponization’
In the executive order titled “Ending The Weaponization Of The Federal Government,” Trump directed the Attorney General to “identify and take appropriate action to correct” any alleged “politically motivated” law enforcement actions 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 investigations within the intelligence community.
Memorandum to End Remote Work
Trump issued a memorandum titled “Return to In-Person Work,” mandating that federal employees in the executive branch discontinue all remote work arrangements.
Memorandum Freezing New Regulations
In the memorandum “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,” Trump directed all executive departments and agencies to halt the proposal of any new rules or directives until they have been reviewed and approved by their respective department heads.
Memorandum to Halt Federal Hiring
Trump signed a memorandum titled “Hiring Freeze,” effectively putting a stop to the recruitment of federal civilian employees in the executive branch starting at noon on January 20. Exceptions were made for military personnel and roles related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety. The memorandum also instructs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to devise 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, with the exception of the IRS, where the freeze remains indefinitely.
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 strategies for “emergency price relief” aimed at lowering costs for housing, healthcare, food, and fuel, while also creating job opportunities. Specific measures were not detailed, but the memorandum calls for the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy to provide status updates every 30 days.
Executive Order to Withdraw from Climate Agreements
Trump issued an executive order titled “Putting America First In International Environmental Agreements,” formally withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, which aims to reduce carbon emissions. The order also cancels 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, with the exception of 14 individuals whose sentences were commuted to time served. He also called for the dismissal of all pending indictments related to the January 6 incidents, covering 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 delays the U.S. ban on the Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok for 75 days, following a brief shutdown of the app over the weekend prior.
Read More: Here’s 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 promise. He had called for the U.S. to withdraw from the health 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 around $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 initial term, while nullifying a Biden executive order that made it easier to hire and fire certain federal employees, emphasizing loyalty.
An addendum notes: “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 Trump’s former national security advisor John Bolton, who raised concerns about potential Russian involvement in information allegedly obtained from Hunter Biden’s laptop. The directive emphasizes that U.S. policy requires “the Intelligence Community not engage in partisan politics or be exploited by a political campaign for electioneering purposes,” and prohibits the public disclosure of classified information in memoirs published for profit.
Proclamation Declaring a 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 aid in border security, including the construction of additional barriers and the use of drones.
Memorandum on Resolving Security Clearance Delays
Trump issued a memorandum titled “Memorandum to Resolve the Backlog of Security Clearances for Executive Office of the President Personnel,” instructing the White House counsel to provide the White House Security Office and Acting Chief Security Officer with a list of staff who would be granted interim Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearances for a maximum of six months to address delays in access to the White House complex.
Critics have voiced concerns regarding the lack of transparency surrounding this decision. Journalist Roger Sollenberger remarked on X, “The only individuals this would apply to are those who did not qualify for a top-secret clearance. Will the public know 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 emphasizes the need to address “unfair and unbalanced trade,” directing officials to review trade and tariff policies, particularly concerning China.
Executive Order on 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 granting the U.S. military the authority to develop a plan for deploying troops to the southern border.
Executive Order on Energy Development
In a sweeping executive order titled “Unleashing American Energy,” Trump called for 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 develop action plans within a month to counter previous regulations that obstruct energy growth.
The order also revokes 12 regulatory actions from the Biden era concerning clean energy initiatives and instructs federal agencies to “immediately pause” the allocation of funds from the Inflation Reduction Act, a Biden-era legislation that provided billions in subsidies for clean energy projects.
Executive Order Suspending Refugee Resettlement
Trump suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program in an executive order titled “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program.” The suspension is set to begin on January 27 and remains indefinite, tasking 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 aims 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 is already facing legal challenges as it directly contradicts the established interpretation of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.
Executive Order on Securing the U.S.-Mexico Border
Trump revoked several immigration policies from the Biden administration, reinstating 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 that asylum seekers remain outside the U.S. while their claims are processed. The order also nullifies the Biden administration’s CBP One app, which facilitated legal entry, and abolishes the “catch-and-release” practice, promoting increased detention instead.
Under Biden, Trump’s aggressive first-term deportation policy was narrowed to focus on individuals with serious criminal convictions, those seen as security threats, or those apprehended at the border. The new order, however, calls for criminal charges against and deportation of anyone violating immigration laws, as well as charges against those who facilitate their unlawful presence in the U.S.
The executive order also abolishes 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 securing a U.S.-based sponsor and passing specific vetting requirements.
Memorandum on Environmental Protections in California
Trump’s memorandum titled “Putting People Over Fish: Stopping Radical Environmentalism to Provide Water to Southern California” mandates the redirection of water from California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for other uses in the state, overriding environmental protections for the Delta’s wildlife. Notably, Trump urged California Governor Gavin Newsom during recent wildfires 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 advocated for a tougher stance on the death penalty with an executive order titled “Restoring The Death Penalty And Protecting Public Safety.” The order directs the Attorney General to pursue the death penalty for all capital offenses and seek federal jurisdiction for the death penalty “regardless of other factors 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.” Additionally, it encourages state prosecutors to pursue the death penalty when 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 decision that cannot be reversed by Trump.
Memorandum on Classical Architecture for Federal Buildings
A memorandum titled “Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture” advocates for federal buildings to be designed in a manner that honors “regional, traditional, and classical architectural heritage.” 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 federal agency heads 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,” citing the need to lower energy costs as justification for ramping up oil and natural gas production across the nation. The order mandates a review of “obstacles to domestic energy infrastructure” arising from legal environmental protections, including the Endangered Species Act.
Memorandum Pausing Wind Energy Projects
In a memorandum titled “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 action aligns with Trump’s previous criticisms of renewable energy and his commitment to bolster the oil and natural gas sectors.
Executive Order Pausing U.S. Foreign Aid
Trump signed an executive order titled “Reevaluating And Realigning United States Foreign Aid,” which calls for a 90-day suspension of U.S. foreign development assistance while reviewing the nation’s foreign aid programs. The order notes that the “foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are misaligned with American interests and often counter to American values,” although it permits the Secretary of State to waive the pause for specific initiatives. Historically, Republicans have sought cuts to foreign assistance, which generally 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 a seemingly 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 nations. The U.S. had signed this global tax deal in October 2021, aimed at curbing the competitive reduction of corporate tax rates.
Executive Order Tightening Immigration Laws
An executive order titled “Protecting The American People Against Invasion” establishes a series of policies aimed at curbing immigration. These policies include restricting federal funding to sanctuary jurisdictions, allocating resources for additional detention facilities, and creating 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 “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential” reverses various restrictions imposed by the Biden Administration on drilling and resource extraction in Alaska, including protections for areas within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, to facilitate oil, gas, and other resource extraction from the state.
Executive Order to Restrict Visas from Certain Countries
Trump’s order titled “Protecting The United States From Foreign Terrorists And Other National Security And Public Safety Threats” intensifies the scrutiny of visa applicants, particularly those from regions deemed security risks, including refugees or stateless individuals. This order mirrors the earlier Muslim travel ban from Trump’s initial term, which he has committed to reinstating.
Executive Order Advocating ‘America First’ Foreign Policy
Trump directed the Secretary of State to align the State Department with his isolationist foreign policy approach 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 stance 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 oversees 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 specified federal definitions of “women” and “girls” as females, and “men” and “boys” as males, asserting that these definitions are biological, binary, and immutable. The order seeks to eliminate the promotion of “gender identity” and “gender ideology” from federal policies and communications. It also mandates that imprisoned trans men be housed in women’s prisons and trans women in men’s prisons, and calls for agencies to restrict access to “intimate spaces” based on biological sex rather than identity. Furthermore, the order initiates the rollback of Biden-era guidelines concerning transgender individuals and gender identity, including specific Title IX protections, instructing 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 to Eliminate 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 roles across 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
In an order titled “Designating Cartels And Other Organizations As Foreign Terrorist Organizations And Specially Designated Global Terrorists,” the President categorized drug cartels, the Salvadoran gang MS-13, and the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as foreign terrorist organizations. This classification enables the federal government to prosecute supporters of these cartels for providing material support to terrorists, and the Trump administration plans 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 previous name, Mount McKinley. This change comes after former President Barack Obama renamed Mount McKinley to Denali in 2015, honoring a request from Alaska to recognize the mountain’s significance to Native Alaskans.
Proclamation Declaring an ‘Invasion’ and Restricting Entry into the U.S.
In an executive order titled “Guaranteeing The States Protection Against Invasion,” Trump declared the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border an “invasion.” He cited the inability to conduct thorough medical and criminal background checks due to the migrant crisis, along with “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 instructs the Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of State, and Attorney General to “take all appropriate actions to repel, repatriate, or remove any alien engaged in the invasion across the southern border of the United States.”
