January 20th, 2025

“Unleashing American Energy”

What it’s about:

This order encourages “energy exploration and production on Federal lands and waters,” including offshore, promoting critical minerals as well as fossil fuels. It lays out a policy to promote “true consumer choice” by removing regulations that favor electric vehicles, as well as safeguarding the “freedom to choose” among household appliances, where President Trump has long criticized efficiency requirements. It immediately reverses a number of Biden-era environmental orders, and calls for a freeze on the disbursement of some congressionally allocated funds while the administration reviews if they’re compatible with the new policy direction.

Timing:

Cancels contradictory past executive orders immediately; agencies must act within 30 days.

Focus:

Economy

“Declaring a National Energy Emergency”

What it’s about:

This order says that inadequate energy production poses an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the U.S. It directs agencies to identify emergency authorities — expansions of the executive branch’s powers available in times of crisis — that could facilitate energy projects, like leasing land for oil and gas production or building pipelines. Notably, solar and wind power are excluded from the definition of “energy.”

Timing:

Agencies must identify plans and submit a report within 30 days.

Focus:

Economy

“Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements”

What it’s about:

In this order, as he did in his first administration, Trump is withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate accord and the Biden administration’s U.S. International Climate Finance plan.

Timing:

Effective immediately; agencies have 30 days to submit a report on their actions.

Focus:

Environment

“Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential”

What it’s about:

In line with Trump’s pledge to “Drill, baby, drill,” this order establishes that it is U.S. policy for the country to “fully avail itself of Alaska’s vast lands and resources” and specifically to prioritize developing the state’s natural gas reserves for potential export as liquefied natural gas. It aims to roll back restrictions on drilling, mining and road-building that were implemented during the Biden administration.

Timing:

Effective immediately.

Focus:

Environment

“Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government”

What it’s about:

This order seeks to hold the previous administration accountable for the alleged “weaponization” of the federal government. President Trump directs agency heads to review previous criminal enforcement, civil enforcement and intelligence conduct that appears politically motivated, and to provide recommendations for holding actors accountable.

Timing:

Effective immediately.

Focus:

Federal government

“Restoring Accountability to Policy-Influencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce”

What it’s about:

This reinstates a prior executive order President Trump signed near the end of his first administration, which reclassified career federal employees into a new category of political appointees. This reclassification removes these employees’ civil service protections, which insulated them from political pressures, so that they may now be fired at will.

Timing:

Effective immediately.

Focus:

Federal government

“Holding Former Government Officials Accountable for Election Interference and Improper Disclosure of Sensitive Governmental Information”

What it’s about:

President Trump revoked the security clearances of dozens of intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter discrediting a disparaging report about Hunter Biden. This order also revoked security clearance for John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser who published a memoir in 2020 about his time in the White House.

Timing:

Effective immediately.

Focus:

Federal government

“Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service”

What it’s about:

This order is aimed at increasing the overall efficiency of selecting and recruiting government employees. Agencies are directed to enact a process that prioritizes candidates committed to government efficiency and the “ideals of our American republic,” without consideration of race, sex or religion.

Timing:

A federal hiring plan is due to agencies within 120 days.

Focus:

Federal government

“Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing”

What it’s about:

The director of the Office of Management and Budget and other agencies are directed to terminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government. Agencies must report to the OMB director a list of all employees in DEI and “environmental justice” positions as well as related committees, programs, activities, services and budgets.

Timing:

Agencies must take action within 60 days.

Focus:

Federal government

“Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government”

What it’s about:

This order recognizes “two sexes, male and female,” and mandates that the federal government assert biological distinctions between men and women and refer to individuals by their “sex” instead of their gender identity. It further prohibits the use of federal funds “to promote gender ideology.”

Timing:

Effective immediately.

Focus:

Federal government

“Establishing and Implementing the President’s ‘Department Of Government Efficiency’”

What it’s about:

This executive order renames and reorganizes the U.S. Digital Service, a decade-old office that recruits private-sector talent to work on projects that improve outdated and inefficient government technology and designs. The new U.S. DOGE Service (“Department of Government Efficiency”) appears to serve a similar function. Within the USDS, there will be a new “temporary organization” that appears to align with the Trump-backed DOGE mission led by billionaire Elon Musk to cut government spending.

Timing:

Effective immediately.

Focus:

Federal government

“Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness”

What it’s about:

This order directs the secretary of the Interior in the next 30 days to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America,” and Alaska’s Denali mountain “Mount McKinley,” after former President William McKinley. It also orders the appointment of members to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names who will be sympathetic to Trump’s policies.

Timing:

Interior has 30 days to take action.

Focus:

Federal government

“Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship”

What it’s about:

In this order, President Trump asserts the federal government’s commitment to the First Amendment right to freedom of speech and bars federal employees from interfering with that right. The order also directs the attorney general to investigate and seek remedial actions for the federal government’s activities in the last four years that were inconsistent with this order’s promise.

Timing:

Effective immediately.

Focus:

Federal government

“America First Policy Directive to the Secretary of State”

What it’s about:

This order directs the secretary of state to issue State Department guidance advancing “America First” foreign policy through the agency’s policies, programs, personnel and operations. The directive cites the need for championing the interests of American citizens above all else. It does not describe specific programs or policies that would meet this purpose.

Timing:

Effective immediately.

Focus:

Foreign policy

“Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid”

What it’s about:

This executive order immediately places a 90-day pause on foreign aid or assistance to U.S. allies while the administration evaluates current aid programs. During this time, agencies will determine whether to resume, modify or cease foreign assistance programs at the end of the freeze.

Timing:

Effective immediately.

Focus:

Foreign policy

“Withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization”

What it’s about:

This order begins the process of withdrawing from the World Health Organization, or WHO. It also rescinds a prior executive order, signed by former President Joe Biden, that coordinated the federal government’s COVID-19 response efforts and implemented processes to respond to emerging pandemics.

Timing:

Effective immediately.

Focus:

Health

“Clarifying the Military’s Role in Protecting the Territorial Integrity of the United States”

What it’s about:

This order directs the secretary of defense to protect U.S. sovereignty and territorial integrity by having the United States Northern Command seal the southern U.S. border to prevent mass migration, narcotics trafficking, human smuggling and trafficking, among others. USNORTHCOM is slated to provide security at the southern border while the national border emergency is in place.

Timing:

Effective within 10 days.

Focus:

Immigration

“Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program”

What it’s about:

This order freezes the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program starting Jan. 27, suspending refugee admissions and applications. During this time, refugees may only be admitted into the U.S. on a case-by-case basis through a joint decision by the secretary of state and the secretary of homeland security. The resumption of USRAP will be considered every 90 days.

Timing:

Effective in one week; up for review in 90 days.

Focus:

Immigration

“Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship”

What it’s about:

This order denies citizenship to certain U.S.-born children whose parents are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. President Trump asserts these children are not subject to U.S. jurisdiction and therefore not covered by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which guarantees citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States.

Timing:

Effective in 30 days.

Focus:

Immigration

“Securing Our Borders”

What it’s about:

This executive order proposes a joint state and federal effort to cease and prevent future immigration at the southern border. Trump orders agencies to construct a physical barrier, deploy federal law enforcement personnel to the southern border and aggressively pursue criminal prosecutions for those who violate the law while in the United States.

Timing:

Effective immediately.

Focus:

Immigration

“Restoring the Death Penalty and Protecting Public Safety”

What it’s about:

In response to the Biden administration’s moratorium on carrying out the death penalty, this executive order commands the attorney general to resume pursuing the death penalty whenever possible. The attorney general is also ordered to pursue federal prosecution and the death penalty for capital crimes committed by anyone without legal status. State prosecutors, who are not bound by this order, are encouraged to do the same.

Timing:

Effective immediately.

Focus:

Immigration

“Protecting the American People Against Invasion”

What it’s about:

In this lengthy executive order, Trump calls for immediate removal of those in the United States without legal status. He orders agencies to enforce removal orders, criminalize unauthorized entry into the U.S., extend the Department of Homeland Security’s presence in all 50 states, and construct detention facilities for those awaiting removal proceedings. The order also calls for civil fines in addition to removal and cuts federal funding from “sanctuary jurisdictions.”

Timing:

Effective immediately; agencies must report on progress and conditions in 90 days.

Focus:

Immigration

“Designating Cartels and Other Organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists”

What it’s about:

This order asks the secretary of state to issue a recommendation, within 14 days, on whether to designate certain cartels and other transnational organizations as foreign terrorist organizations. If groups are identified, agencies should prepare for Trump to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 against these newly designated terrorist groups.

Timing:

Effective within 14 days.

Focus:

Immigration

“Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats”

What it’s about:

This order commands agencies to pursue more stringent vetting and screening procedures for people immigrating to the United States, seeking a visa or applying for refugee status. It foreshadows the suspension of all immigration from certain countries and encourages immediate removal of non-U.S. citizens, within agency discretion. The order also calls for assimilating new immigrants by promoting a “unified American identity.”

Timing:

Effective immediately; agencies must issue a report and recommendations for further action in 60 days.

Focus:

Immigration

“Application of Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act to TikTok”

What it’s about:

This executive order seeks to hit pause for 75 days on a law banning TikTok and to provide a liability shield to business partners of the popular video app. The text of the order said this will give Trump’s administration time “to pursue a resolution that protects national security while saving a platform used by 170 million Americans.”

Timing:

Effective immediately; expires in 75 days.

Focus:

Technology

“Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions”

What it’s about:

This order rescinds 78 executive actions signed by former President Joe Biden, including several public health regulations. It also revoked an order promoting voter registration and a census order that could clear a path for reshaping election maps.

Timing:

Effective immediately.

Focus:

Miscellaneous


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