☰
HomeLiving Beyond BordersGZERO WorldSignalIn 60 SecondsPuppet RegimeGZERO World PodcastContact UsAbout UsCareersPrivacy PolicyTerms

Trump signs flurry of executive orders

January 21, 2025
Matthew Kendrick
​U.S. President Donald Trump shows a signed executive order to his supporters in Washington on Jan. 20, 2025, following his inauguration.
U.S. President Donald Trump shows a signed executive order to his supporters in Washington on Jan. 20, 2025, following his inauguration.
(Kyodo) via Reuters

In the hours after taking his oath of office on Monday, Donald Trump signed nearly 100 executive orders, laying the groundwork for his second term. So, what’s changed?

Acting appointments. First up were orders filling more than 30 acting positions in the federal government, alongside nominations for Senate-confirmed roles. Trump tackled these before the traditional inaugural luncheon, which effectively allowed his people to start running government bureaucracies.

Then it was off to the big show. And no, we don’t mean the inauguration. We’re talking about the live signing of executive orders in Washington’s Capitol One Arena — in true reality TV-star style. Here’s a brief rundown of the main impacts of these orders:

Immigration

  • The border is closed to asylum-seeking immigrants, and the federal government declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border.
  • Birthright citizenship for undocumented immigrants is ordered to end, though the effect isn’t clear. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution enshrines the right, and the order will likely face legal challenges.
  • Certain drug cartels are designated “global terrorists.”

Trade

  • Federal agencies are ordered to investigate unfair trade practices and deficits and assess compliance with trade deals.
  • Trump’s idea of an “External Revenue Service” is to be assessed for feasibility.

Environment

  • The US is officially out of the Paris Climate Accords.
  • Trump ordered a national energy emergency to speed permitting for pipelines and power plants, and to roll back environmental regulations.
  • He also ended pollution and fuel economy standards that Trump called an “electric vehicle mandate.”
  • Alaska’s wilderness is more open to oil and gas drilling.

Gender

  • Protections for transgender people in federal prisons and migrants in US custody are removed, meaning trans people will be housed with the gender assigned at birth and will lose access to specialized medical care.
  • Biological sex is defined as the policy of the federal government and as part of Title IX guidance.

Miscellaneous

    • He pardoned more than 1,000 people charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, commuting the sentences of leaders of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.
    • Federal employees are ordered to work in the office 4-5 days a week — bummer.
    • TikTok is back though!

    More from GZERO Media

    50 Years on, have we learned the Vietnam War's lessons?

    - YouTube

    youtu.be

    Fifty years after the fall of Saigon (or its liberation, depending on whom you ask), Vietnam has transformed from a war-torn battleground to one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies—and now finds itself caught between two superpowers. Ian Bremmer breaks down how Vietnam went from devastation in the wake of the Vietnam War to becoming a regional economic powerhouse.

    Graphic and Animation Designer

    Eurasia Group and GZERO Media are seeking a highly creative, detail-oriented Graphic and Animation Designer who lives and breathes news, international affairs, and policy. The ideal candidate has demonstrated experience using visual storytelling—including data visualizations and short-form animations—to make complex geopolitical topics accessible, social-friendly, and engaging across platforms. You will join a dynamic team of researchers, editors, video producers, and writers to elevate our storytelling and thought leadership through innovative multimedia content.

    World leaders to bid farewell to Pope Francis – and hold talks on the side

    The body of Pope Francis in the coffin exposed in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on April 24, 2025. The funeral will be celebrated on Saturday in St. Peter's Square.
    Pasquale Gargano/KONTROLAB/ipa-agency.net/IPA/Sipa USA

    While the Catholic world prepares for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday – the service begins at 10 a.m. local time, 4 a.m. ET – certain high-profile attendees may also have other things on their mind. Several world leaders will be on hand to pay their respects to the pontiff, but they could also find themselves involved in bilateral talks.

    Kyiv under fire, Trump blasts Putin on Truth Social

    A Ukrainian rescue worker sits atop the rubble of a destroyed residential building during rescue operations, following a Russian missile strike on a residential apartment building block in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 24, 2025.
    Photo by Justin Yau/ Sipa USA

    Does the Congo truce portend peace? Or a potential civil war?

    Members of the M23 rebel group stand guard at the opening ceremony of Caisse Generale d'epargne du Congo (CADECO) which will serve as the bank for the city of Goma where all banks have closed since the city was taken by the M23 rebels, in Goma, North Kivu province in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo, April 7, 2025.
    REUTERS/Arlette Bashizi

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo and an alliance of militias led by the notorious M23 rebels announced a ceasefire on Thursday after talks in Qatar and, after three years of violence, said they would work toward a permanent truce.

    India threatens Pakistan’s water

    Students shout slogans and burn an effigy to protest the Pahalgam terror attack in Guwahati, Assam, India, on April 24, 2025. On April 22, a devastating terrorist attack occurs in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of at least 28 tourists.
    Photo by David Talukdar/NurPhoto

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi has blamed Pakistan for Tuesday’s deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir, and he’s takenaggressive action against its government.

    Protecting your money in today's unpredictable market

    - YouTube

    youtu.be

    “When things are going fine, nobody really tests the skills and talents of their financial advisor, but this is a moment where really good advice can be extraordinarily powerful,” says Margaret Franklin, CFA Institute's CEO and President. In conversation with GZERO’s Tony Maciulis, Franklin describes the current financial climate as “maximum uncertainty,” rating it a 10 out of 10 on the risk scale.

    Trump promises to be “very nice” with China – but Beijing won’t be flattered

    President Donald Trump at a bilateral meeting with China's President Xi Jinping during the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 29, 2019.
    REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

    On Wednesday, Donald Trump said he would deliver a “fair deal” with China and that he’d be “very nice” to the country after meeting with major retailers. But Beijing denies that there are any ongoing talks and has told the US it must cancel its unilateral tariffs before China will broker any negotiations.

    About UsCareers PressContact Us Privacy PolicyTerms of Use
    © 2020 GZERO Media. All Rights Reserved | A Eurasia Group media company.