I spent the morning summarizing President Donald Trump’s executive actions on his first office day, giving just the facts without any commentary. His transition team bragged that no one in the media would try to cover all of them.
The only ones I did not summarize were the ones that were more administrative in nature, but here are the links to them:
- Flying The Flag Of The United States At Full-Staff On Inauguration Day
- President Trump Designates Chairmen and Acting Chairmen
- President Trump Announces Acting Cabinet and Cabinet-Level Positions
- President Trump Announces Sub-Cabinet Appointments
- President Trump Announces Cabinet and Cabinet Level Appointments
THE OTHER ACTIONS SUMMARIZED (Titles provided by the White House):
INITIAL RESCISSIONS OF HARMFUL EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND ACTIONS
This order revoked over 60 executive orders and presidential memoranda from the previous administration, marking one of the most extensive policy reversals through executive action in recent history.
The executive order targets policies implemented between January 2021 and January 2025, affecting multiple areas of federal governance. Major reversals include policies related to:
– Climate change and environmental protection
– Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
– Immigration and border policies
– Healthcare access
– Federal workforce management
– Educational equity programs
– COVID-19 response measures
Revocations include Executive Order 13985 on racial equity, Executive Order 14008 on climate crisis response, and Executive Order 14035 on diversity in the federal workforce.
The order outlines a three-step implementation process:
1. Agency heads must immediately stop implementing what the order describes as “unlawful and radical DEI ideology.”
2. The Domestic Policy Council and National Economic Council directors will review all federal actions taken under the revoked orders, with 45 days to recommend additional reversals and replacement policies.
3. The National Security Advisor must review all National Security Memoranda from January 2021 through January 2025 for potential national security impacts.
The order affects policies ranging from artificial intelligence development to federal contracting requirements. It maintains standard legal provisions ensuring it doesn’t impair existing legal authorities or create new enforceable rights.
RESTORING FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND ENDING FEDERAL CENSORSHIP
The order focuses on protecting First Amendment rights from government interference in online spaces. The order directly addresses concerns about federal involvement in content moderation and speech suppression on social media platforms over the past four years.
The order identifies where federal officials allegedly pressured social media companies and other third parties to moderate, remove, or suppress certain viewpoints under the premise of fighting mis-, dis-, and malinformation. This practice, according to the order, effectively allowed the government to advance its preferred narratives on important public issues while circumventing First Amendment protections.
To address these concerns, the order establishes clear policy directives prohibiting federal employees and agents from engaging in or facilitating any actions that would unconstitutionally restrict Americans’ free speech. It specifically bars the use of taxpayer resources for such activities and calls for identifying and correcting past instances of government-led censorship.
A key provision directs the Attorney General to launch an investigation into federal government activities over the previous four years that may have violated these principles. The investigation will culminate in a report to the President, complete with recommendations for remedial actions based on the findings.
ENDING THE WEAPONIZATION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
This order directs a comprehensive review of federal law enforcement and intelligence activities over the past four years, citing concerns about the alleged politicization of these agencies. The order calls for an investigation into what it describes as a “systematic campaign” against perceived political opponents by the previous administration.
The directive requires the Attorney General to examine the activities of all federal departments and agencies with civil or criminal enforcement authority, including the Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Federal Trade Commission. Simultaneously, the Director of National Intelligence must review Intelligence Community operations during the same period.
The order points to several specific concerns, including investigations of parents at school board meetings, prosecutions related to January 6th, and the handling of cases involving different protest movements.
Both the Attorney General and Director of National Intelligence are required to prepare reports detailing instances where agency conduct may have deviated from proper governmental objectives. These reports must include recommendations for remedial actions and will be submitted to the President through designated channels, including the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and other relevant advisors.
The order emphasizes document retention, directing agencies to comply with existing policies and legal obligations. Any instances of noncompliance are to be referred to the Attorney General for review. This provision appears aimed at ensuring a complete historical record is maintained during the investigation process.
RETURN TO IN-PERSON WORK
Heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of Government , as soon as practicable, must take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis, provided that the department and agency heads shall make exemptions they deem necessary.
REGULATORY FREEZE PENDING REVIEW
This memorandum implements an immediate freeze on pending regulations across all federal departments and agencies. This move, typical of presidential transitions, aims to ensure new leadership can review and align regulatory actions with the incoming administration’s policies.
The memorandum outlines several key directives. First, it halts all unpublished rules, requiring them to be withdrawn from the Office of Federal Register (OFR) for review by newly appointed department heads. No new rules can be proposed or issued without approval from officials appointed after January 20, 2025, though exceptions may be granted by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director for emergency situations or urgent circumstances.
For rules already published in the Federal Register but not yet in effect, the memorandum institutes a 60-day postponement period. During this time, agencies are encouraged to open comment periods allowing stakeholders to provide input on questions of fact, law, and policy. Agencies may consider extending delays beyond the initial 60 days if necessary for thorough review.
HIRING FREEZE
This executive memorandum implements an immediate freeze on federal civilian hiring across the executive branch. The directive, effective January 20, 2025, halts the filling of vacant positions and the creation of new roles, with notable exceptions for critical sectors.
The freeze maintains exemptions for key areas of government operation, including military personnel, immigration enforcement, national security, and public safety positions. The administration has explicitly guaranteed that Social Security, Medicare, and Veterans’ benefits will remain unaffected by this measure. The Office of Personnel Management retains authority to grant additional exemptions when deemed necessary.
A comprehensive workforce reduction plan is mandated within 90 days, to be developed by the Office of Management and Budget in collaboration with the Office of Personnel Management and the United States DOGE Service. Upon the plan’s implementation, the freeze will be lifted for most agencies, with the notable exception of the Internal Revenue Service, which remains subject to the freeze until specifically cleared by the Treasury Secretary.
The memorandum includes specific provisions to prevent circumvention, explicitly prohibiting external contracting as a means to bypass the freeze. However, agency heads maintain flexibility to reallocate existing resources to meet essential services and high-priority needs, particularly in areas concerning national security and public safety.
Presidential appointments, Senate-confirmed positions, and various non-career appointments remain exempt from the freeze. This includes positions in the Senior Executive Service, Schedule A and C positions in the Excepted Service, and temporary organizational appointments under Title 5 authority.
DELIVERING EMERGENCY PRICE RELIEF FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES AND DEFEATING THE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS
This order mandates federal agencies to implement comprehensive price relief measures across multiple sectors of the economy.
It focuses on five key areas: housing affordability, healthcare costs, home appliance pricing, employment opportunities, and energy policy. On the housing front, agencies are directed to explore methods to expand supply and reduce costs, addressing one of the most pressing economic challenges facing Americans today.
Healthcare reform under this directive targets administrative overhead and what the order terms “rent-seeking practices” that contribute to elevated medical costs. The memorandum also calls for reviewing and eliminating regulations that artificially inflate the prices of home appliances.
The employment provisions emphasize creating new job opportunities and specifically focus on reengaging “discouraged workers” who have left the labor force. This approach aims to strengthen the labor market while potentially increasing workforce participation rates.
The order calls for reviewing and eliminating certain climate-related policies that it identifies as contributing to higher food and fuel costs for consumers.
To ensure accountability and track progress, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy must submit regular monthly reports beginning within 30 days of the memorandum’s issuance.
PUTTING AMERICA FIRST IN INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS
The order prioritizes domestic economic interests over international climate commitments. The order outlines immediate withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and related climate accords under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The directive mandates the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations to submit formal withdrawal notifications and revoke financial commitments previously made under these agreements. The administration emphasizes that withdrawal will take effect immediately upon notification, marking a decisive break from international climate frameworks.
A key component of the order is the immediate rescission of the U.S. International Climate Finance Plan. The Office of Management and Budget is tasked with providing guidance on unfreezing related funds within ten days. This move signals a fundamental shift in how the United States approaches international climate finance and cooperation.
The order also initiates a broad government-wide review, requiring multiple federal agencies – including the Departments of State, Treasury, Commerce, Energy, and Agriculture – to submit detailed reports within 30 days. These reports must outline specific actions taken to dismantle policies that were implemented under the International Climate Finance Plan.
The order establishes new priorities for international energy agreements. U.S. officials are now directed to focus on economic efficiency, American prosperity, consumer choice, and fiscal restraint in all foreign energy policy engagements.
GRANTING PARDONS AND COMMUTATION OF SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES RELATING TO THE EVENTS AT OR NEAR THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6, 2021
The first tier commutes the sentences of fourteen specifically named individuals to time served, including Stewart Rhodes, Kelly Meggs, Kenneth Harrelson, and others. These individuals had received various sentences related to events at the Capitol.
The second tier extends broader relief, granting “full, complete and unconditional pardon” to all other individuals convicted of offenses connected to the January 6 events. The directive instructs the Attorney General to immediately issue pardon certificates and facilitate the release of currently imprisoned individuals.
The order goes beyond addressing existing convictions, instructing the Attorney General to seek dismissal “with prejudice” of all pending indictments related to January 6 conduct. This would effectively end ongoing prosecutions and prevent future charges for these events.
The directive creates immediate implementation requirements for both the Department of Justice and Bureau of Prisons, mandating swift action to process releases and halt pending cases. This comprehensive approach affects not only current prisoners but also those awaiting trial or facing ongoing investigations.
APPLICATION OF PROTECTING AMERICANS FROM FOREIGN ADVERSARY CONTROLLED APPLICATIONS ACT TO TIKTOK
This order temporarily halts the enforcement of recent legislation targeting TikTok and its parent company ByteDance.
It directs the Attorney General to suspend enforcement of the Act for 75 days, providing the new administration time to assess the situation and explore potential resolutions. The order emphasizes the need to protect national security while considering the impact on TikTok’s 170 million American users.
Other key provisions include:
– Protection from penalties for any non-compliance during this period
– Required written guidance from the Attorney General to implement the pause
– Letters to providers confirming no violations during the specified period
The order also addresses potential state-level enforcement attempts, asserting that such actions would encroach on executive powers, as the Act specifically vests enforcement authority with the Attorney General.
WITHDRAWING THE UNITED STATES FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
The order initiates proceedings for the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO). This decision marks a major reversal of Biden’s January 2021 recommitment to the organization.
The directive outlines several immediate actions, including the pause of all US government funding to the WHO and the recall of American personnel and contractors working with the organization. The administration has also ordered the identification of alternative partners to continue essential activities previously conducted through the WHO.
The withdrawal process involves multiple federal agencies. The State Department has been instructed to formally notify the UN Secretary-General and WHO leadership of this decision. Additionally, the US will cease participation in ongoing negotiations regarding the WHO Pandemic Agreement and proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations, explicitly stating that these will not bind the United States.
The National Security Council will establish new directorates and mechanisms to maintain public health and biosecurity capabilities. The White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy has been tasked with revising the 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy.
The order also rescinds Executive Order 13987 of January 2021, which had previously organized the US government’s response to COVID-19 and established American leadership in global health security.
RESTORING ACCOUNTABILITY TO POLICY-INFLUENCING POSITIONS WITHIN THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE
This order reinstates Executive Order 13957, originally from October 2020, with several key modifications. The reinstated order creates a new employment category, now termed “Schedule Policy/Career,” replacing the previous “Schedule F” designation.
The policy introduces more flexibility in hiring and removing certain civil service protections for positions that involve policy-making or policy-advocacy functions. Under the revised order, affected employees must demonstrate their ability to faithfully implement administration policies, regardless of personal or political views.
Amendments include explicit language stating that employees in Schedule Policy/Career positions are not required to personally or politically support the current president or administration’s policies. However, they must effectively implement these policies as part of their duties, with failure to do so being grounds for dismissal.
The Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) gains expanded authority to recommend positions for inclusion in this schedule, particularly those involving policy implementation or supervision of Schedule Policy/Career employees. The order also requires OPM to rescind recent civil service protection rules that might impede the implementation of these changes.
Executive departments and agencies are expected to receive guidance within 30 days regarding additional position categories suitable for Schedule Policy/Career designation. The order also revokes Executive Order 14003 of January 2021, which had previously protected certain federal workforce policies.
HOLDING FORMER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE FOR ELECTION INTERFERENCE AND IMPROPER DISCLOSURE OF SENSITIVE GOVERNMENTAL INFORMATION
The order mandates the immediate revocation of security clearances for 51 former intelligence officials, including prominent figures like James Clapper, Michael Hayden, Leon Panetta, and John Brennan, along with former National Security Advisor John Bolton. The directive targets officials who allegedly engaged in political activities during the 2020 presidential campaign.
The order establishes three key policy positions: preventing Intelligence Community involvement in partisan politics, prohibiting the use of security clearance status to influence U.S. elections, and restricting the disclosure of classified information in memoirs for personal profit. The Director of National Intelligence, in coordination with the CIA Director, is tasked with implementing these revocations immediately.
Beyond immediate clearance revocations, the order requires a comprehensive review within 90 days. The DNI must submit a report to the President through the National Security Advisor examining any additional inappropriate activities related to the letter signed by the former officials. This report will also include recommendations for preventing future electoral influence by Intelligence Community members and propose potential disciplinary actions against those involved.
DECLARING A NATIONAL EMERGENCY AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES
President Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border of the United States, authorizing military deployment and reinstating border wall construction initiatives.
The executive action invokes several key military and emergency powers, including the authority to deploy both active-duty Armed Forces and Reserve components, including the National Guard. The Secretary of Defense is granted broad discretion to determine the appropriate force size to support the Department of Homeland Security’s operations.
The proclamation outlines multiple strategic initiatives. First, it authorizes the Department of Defense to provide comprehensive logistical support to civilian law enforcement operations, including detention facilities, transportation resources, and aircraft. The military’s role is specifically defined as supporting the Department of Homeland Security in achieving “complete operational control” of the southern border.
The proclamation explicitly directs the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to construct additional border barriers, reversing the January 20, 2021 proclamation that had halted border wall construction. The order also encourages coordination with state governors willing to assist with physical infrastructure deployment.
The document includes provisions for enhanced technological capabilities, directing the Secretary of Transportation and Federal Communications Commission to consider waiving regulations that might restrict counter-drone operations within five miles of the southern border.
Two significant reporting requirements are established: a 30-day report from the Secretary of Defense outlining implementation actions, and a 90-day joint assessment from the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security evaluating border conditions. Notably, this joint report must include recommendations for additional actions, including whether to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807.
MEMORANDUM TO RESOLVE THE BACKLOG OF SECURITY CLEARANCES FOR EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT PERSONNEL
The order tackles the growing backlog of security clearances within the Executive Office of the President. It cites significant delays in the Biden Administration’s processing of security clearances, which has prevented hired staff from accessing White House facilities and performing their duties.
To resolve this bottleneck, the order grants the White House Counsel authority to provide a list of personnel who will receive immediate interim Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearances.
These temporary clearances will be valid for up to six months, during which staff will have full access to necessary facilities and technology. The White House Counsel, acting as the President’s designee, maintains the authority to supplement the list of cleared individuals and revoke interim clearances as needed.
AMERICA FIRST TRADE POLICY
The memorandum addresses trade deficits, national security concerns, and economic relationships with major trading partners, with a particular focus on China. The multi-pronged approach involves several key federal agencies and tackles issues ranging from currency manipulation to intellectual property rights.
The plan calls for the potential establishment of an External Revenue Service (ERS) to manage tariffs and trade-related revenues. The Treasury Department, in conjunction with Commerce and Homeland Security, will investigate the feasibility of this new agency.
The initiative places emphasis on the U.S.-China economic relationship, calling for a thorough review of existing agreements and compliance. The U.S. Trade Representative will assess China’s adherence to current trade agreements and consider additional tariffs or measures as needed. The plan also includes a review of Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China and intellectual property rights protection.
The Commerce Department is to evaluate the U.S. industrial base’s resilience. This includes reviewing steel and aluminum import adjustments and their effectiveness in protecting national security interests.
The plan addresses emerging technological challenges through enhanced export controls, particularly focusing on strategic goods and software that could benefit rival nations.
The initiative also tackles immediate public health and safety concerns, particularly regarding the $800 de minimis exemption for imports. Officials will assess how this policy might contribute to the influx of counterfeit products and dangerous substances like fentanyl.
International trade agreements, including the USMCA, will undergo comprehensive review ahead of the July 2026 evaluation date. The administration seeks to ensure these agreements benefit American workers, farmers, and businesses while maintaining reciprocal advantages with trading partners.
Currency manipulation by trading partners will face increased scrutiny, with the Treasury Department authorized to identify and recommend countermeasures against countries engaging in such practices. This forms part of a broader strategy to ensure fair competition in international trade.
CLARIFYING THE MILITARY’S ROLE IN PROTECTING THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF THE UNITED STATES
The order expands the role of U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) to address evolving threats along national borders. It positions USNORTHCOM as the primary military command responsible for maintaining territorial integrity and national sovereignty through comprehensive border security operations.
Under the revised mandate, USNORTHCOM is tasked with developing robust strategies to counter multiple border-related challenges, including unlawful mass migration, narcotics trafficking, human smuggling, and other criminal activities. The command must submit detailed planning requirements within strict timeframes, including a commander’s estimate within 30 days of the order’s implementation.
The directive establishes a three-pronged approach: immediate border sealing capabilities, sustained southern border security operations, and continuous assessment of protective measures against unauthorized entry. This comprehensive strategy aims to counter threats from both transnational criminal organizations and foreign nations that may impinge on U.S. sovereignty.
UNLEASHING AMERICAN ENERGY
The order focuses on expanding domestic energy production, eliminating electric vehicle mandates, and streamlining environmental regulations.
It establishes several key policy priorities, including encouraging energy exploration on federal lands and waters, strengthening domestic mineral production, and ensuring abundant energy access across all states and territories. It explicitly revokes twelve previous executive orders related to climate change, environmental justice, and clean energy initiatives.
The order terminates the Green New Deal and dismantles the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases. The order criticizes the “social cost of carbon” calculation, calling it logically deficient and politically motivated, and directs the EPA to consider eliminating it from federal decision-making.
The order calls for the elimination of the “EV mandate” and the removal of regulatory barriers that favor electric vehicles over conventional automobiles. It emphasizes consumer choice in vehicles and appliances, including everything from lightbulbs to gas stoves.
The order directs agencies to expedite approvals for energy projects, with particular attention to oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy resources. It calls for the revision of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations to prioritize efficiency and certainty over what it terms “activist group” objectives.
It targets disbursements under the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It immediately pauses funding for electric vehicle charging stations and requires agencies to review their grant-making processes for alignment with the new policy direction.
In the minerals sector, the order directs various agencies to reduce barriers to domestic mining and processing, reassess public lands withdrawals, and strengthen the National Defense Stockpile of critical minerals.
For energy exports, it directs the Secretary of Energy to restart reviews of liquified natural gas export projects, considering both economic impacts and ally security in approval decisions. It also streamlines the approval process for deepwater ports used in LNG exports.
REALIGNING THE UNITED STATES REFUGEE ADMISSIONS PROGRAM
The order overhauls the Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), implementing new restrictions that prioritize national security and public safety considerations. The policy, set to take effect on January 27, 2025, suspends refugee admissions while establishing a more stringent evaluation process.
Under the new framework, refugee admissions will be temporarily halted pending a comprehensive review of the program. The Department of Homeland Security and State Department retain authority to admit refugees on a case-by-case basis, but only when deemed in the national interest and posing no security threats.
The policy grants state and local jurisdictions greater involvement in refugee placement decisions. It aligns refugee resettlement with local resources and community capacity. The Department of Homeland Security will explore legal mechanisms to enhance local government participation while maintaining compliance with existing consultation requirements.
Program resumption will depend on periodic 90-day assessments by the Secretary of Homeland Security, who must evaluate whether continued refugee admissions serve US interests. These reviews will consider national security implications, economic impacts, and local community effects.
The order also revokes Executive Order 14013, which had previously established guidelines for refugee resettlement and climate migration planning.
PROTECTING THE MEANING AND VALUE OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP
The order modifies how the United States government recognizes citizenship for certain newborns on American soil. The policy establishes stricter parameters around citizenship documentation for children born to non-citizen parents in the United States.
Under the new guidelines, federal agencies will not issue citizenship documents to newborns in two specific scenarios. First, when the mother is unlawfully present in the US and the father is neither a US citizen nor a legal permanent resident at the time of birth. Second, when the mother is legally but temporarily present in the US and the father lacks citizenship or permanent resident status.
The order, which takes effect 30 days after issuance, applies exclusively to future births within US territory. It explicitly preserves citizenship documentation rights for children of legal permanent residents and other eligible individuals not affected by these new restrictions.
The Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and the Social Security Commissioner must align their agencies’ regulations and practices with these new directives. All executive departments are required to issue public guidance within 30 days detailing how they will implement these changes.
The order provides specific definitions for its implementation, defining “mother” and “father” strictly as immediate biological progenitors. This precision aims to eliminate potential ambiguity in applying the new standards.
SECURING OUR BORDERS
The order establishes measures to strengthen border security and immigration enforcement along the United States’ southern border. The directive outlines multiple strategies to achieve “complete operational control” through physical barriers, personnel deployment, and strict enforcement protocols.
It mandates the construction of temporary and permanent physical barriers along the southern border, to be overseen by the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security. The order calls for increased personnel deployment to monitor these barriers and enforce immigration laws effectively.
It ends the “catch-and-release” practice, requiring detained individuals to remain in custody until their removal proceedings are completed. The order also reinstates the Migrant Protection Protocols, requiring asylum seekers to wait outside U.S. territory while their cases are processed.
Significant changes to parole policies include terminating the CBP One application system and ending categorical parole programs for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan nationals. The order emphasizes stricter adherence to existing immigration laws and enhanced verification procedures, including mandatory DNA testing for detained individuals and thorough verification of claimed family relationships.
The directive prioritizes prosecution of border-related offenses, particularly focusing on human smuggling, trafficking, and related crimes. It also calls for increased international cooperation through new agreements with other nations to support these enforcement efforts.
Federal agencies, including the Departments of State, Justice, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security, are required to provide recommendations within 14 days for additional measures to secure the southern border and protect against foreign threats.
PUTTING PEOPLE OVER FISH: STOPPING RADICAL ENVIRONMENTALISM TO PROVIDE WATER TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
The memorandum directs the Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the heads of other departments and agencies of the United States as necessary, to immediately restart the work by the National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and other agencies to route more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to other parts of the state to create a reliable water supply.
Within 90 days, the Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of the Interior shall report to the President regarding the progress made in implementing the policies in this memorandum and provide any recommendations regarding future implementation.
RESTORING THE DEATH PENALTY AND PROTECTING PUBLIC SAFETY
The order expands the implementation of capital punishment in the United States. The Attorney General is mandated to pursue capital punishment for all eligible severe crimes, with special emphasis on two categories: the murder of law enforcement officers and capital crimes committed by unauthorized immigrants. The directive also encourages state prosecutors to pursue capital charges in these cases, regardless of federal trial outcomes.
The order addresses the recent commutations of 37 federal death row inmates by President Biden, directing the Attorney General to review their imprisonment conditions and ensure they reflect the severity of their crimes. Additionally, the Attorney General is tasked with exploring potential state-level capital charges against these individuals.
It focuses on ensuring states have access to lethal injection drugs, addressing a significant obstacle in carrying out death sentences. The Attorney General is directed to take necessary actions to maintain adequate drug supplies for states with capital punishment.
The directive instructs the Attorney General to challenge Supreme Court decisions that currently limit capital punishment implementation at both state and federal levels.
PROMOTING BEAUTIFUL FEDERAL CIVIC ARCHITECTURE
The memorandum directs the General Services Administration (GSA) to reevaluate design guidelines for federal buildings, emphasizing traditional and classical architectural elements.
The Administrator of GSA, in collaboration with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and relevant department heads, must submit recommendations within 60 days. These proposals will focus on revising the Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture and developing new processes for incorporating public input into design decisions.
It requires the GSA Administrator to provide 30-day advance notice before approving designs that deviate from the traditional aesthetic direction. This notification, routed through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, must include justification for departing from classical design principles.
RESTORING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CAREER SENIOR EXECUTIVES
The order institutes comprehensive reforms to reshape the Senior Executive Service (SES). The directive outlines six key mandates to enhance accountability and align senior leadership with the administration’s agenda.
The Office of Personnel Management, working with the Office of Management and Budget, must issue new SES Performance Plans within 30 days. Agency heads are instructed to utilize their authority to revitalize the SES system, with emphasis on accountability measures.
The order grants agency heads the power to reassign SES members to better align their skills and expertise with the administration’s objectives. Additionally, agencies must reconstruct their Executive Resources Boards, requiring a majority of senior noncareer officials to serve alongside career members.
Performance Review Boards will undergo similar restructuring, with new members selected based on their commitment to rigorous SES performance evaluations. The order also establishes a clear mandate for removing SES officials whose performance fails to meet the administration’s standards or their duties to the nation.
DECLARING A NATIONAL ENERGY EMERGENCY
The order declares a national emergency to accelerate domestic energy development and infrastructure projects across the United States. It mobilizes multiple federal agencies to streamline energy-related approvals and bypass certain environmental regulations under emergency provisions.
The directive empowers agency heads to exercise emergency authority for identifying and developing domestic energy resources, including those on federal lands. It specifically addresses fuel supply concerns by allowing the EPA to consider emergency waivers for year-round E15 gasoline sales nationwide.
It expedites energy infrastructure projects along the West Coast, Northeast, and Alaska. The order establishes a fast-track system for emergency permits under the Clean Water Act and creates special provisions for consulting on endangered species impacts. The Endangered Species Act Committee is required to meet quarterly to review exemption requests and identify potential obstacles to energy development.
The Department of Defense is tasked with assessing vulnerabilities in energy acquisition and transportation, particularly in the Northeast and West Coast regions. The Secretary of the Army is granted construction authority to address identified vulnerabilities through emergency measures.
The order broadly defines energy resources to include traditional fossil fuels like oil and natural gas, as well as renewable sources such as geothermal and hydroelectric power. It encompasses the entire energy supply chain, from production and transportation to refining and electricity generation.
Regular reporting requirements are established to monitor progress, with agencies required to submit status updates every 30 days throughout the duration of the national emergency.
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
The memorandum implements a moratorium on new wind energy projects, both onshore and offshore. The directive freezes all new and renewed wind energy leases on the Outer Continental Shelf and halts federal approvals for wind projects nationwide.
The moratorium will remain in effect pending a comprehensive review of federal wind leasing and permitting practices.
The memorandum directs the Department of Interior to lead an interagency assessment examining environmental impacts on wildlife, particularly birds and marine mammals, as well as the economic costs associated with wind energy’s intermittent power generation and industry subsidies.
It takes immediate action against the recently approved Lava Ridge Wind Project, placing a temporary moratorium on all activities and directing a new comprehensive analysis of its environmental impacts. The Department of Interior must also evaluate the environmental and community costs of defunct and idle windmills, with recommendations for their removal.
The order preserves existing wind energy lease rights but requires a review of their “ecological, economic, and environmental necessity.” The Attorney General is authorized to seek stays or delays in pending wind energy litigation until the ordered reviews are completed.
REEVALUATING AND REALIGNING UNITED STATES FOREIGN AID
The order mandates an immediate 90-day pause on new obligations and disbursements of development aid to foreign countries, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and contractors.
This temporary halt aims to conduct comprehensive reviews of existing programs for efficiency and alignment with current US foreign policy objectives. The Office of Management and Budget will oversee the pause through its apportionment authority, while program reviews will be conducted under guidelines provided by the Secretary of State.
Department and agency heads, in consultation with the OMB Director, will evaluate each program during this period to determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate assistance. However, the order includes flexibility measures, allowing programs to resume before the 90-day period if reviews are completed earlier and approved by the Secretary of State and OMB Director.
The Secretary of State retains the authority to waive the pause for specific programs, providing a mechanism to maintain critical assistance where necessary.
ORGANIZATION OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL AND SUBCOMMITTEES
The memorandum reorganizes the National Security Council (NSC), establishing lines of authority and decision-making processes for national security policy development and implementation.
It outlines a unified structure that integrates both national security and homeland security functions. Under this framework, the NSC can convene as the Homeland Security Council (HSC) when addressing homeland security matters, with a single staff serving both functions within the Executive Office of the President.
Key members of the NSC include the President, Vice President, Secretaries of State, Treasury, Defense, and Energy, and the newly created Director of the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy. The Attorney General, Secretary of the Interior, White House Chief of Staff, and National Security Advisor are also designated as members.
The document establishes three main tiers of policy coordination. At the top is the NSC itself, chaired by the President. Below that sits the Principals Committee (PC), a Cabinet-level forum chaired by the National Security Advisor, which develops recommendations for the President and can make consensus decisions on matters not requiring presidential attention.
The Deputies Committee (DC), chaired by the Principal Deputy National Security Advisor, serves as the senior sub-Cabinet forum for policy consideration. This committee manages the day-to-day interagency national security process and ensures issues are properly analyzed before reaching higher levels.
At the working level, Policy Coordination Committees (PCCs) handle the development and implementation of national security policies, primarily at the Assistant Secretary level. These committees are chaired by NSC staff members and serve as the main forums for daily interagency coordination.
THE ORGANIZATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD) GLOBAL TAX DEAL (GLOBAL TAX DEAL)
The memorandum declares that the Global Tax Deal has no binding effect on the United States without congressional approval.
It directs the Treasury Secretary and US Permanent Representative to the OECD to formally notify the organization that any prior commitments regarding the Global Tax Deal require congressional action to take effect. This reasserts the constitutional principle that international tax agreements must receive legislative approval.
Furthermore, the document mandates a comprehensive review of existing tax treaties and foreign tax regulations that might disadvantage American companies. The Treasury Secretary, in coordination with the US Trade Representative, has been given 60 days to investigate potential treaty violations and discriminatory tax measures by foreign nations.
The investigation will focus on identifying extraterritorial tax rules that disproportionately impact US businesses. Based on these findings, officials will develop protective measures to counter any unfair tax practices.
PROTECTING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AGAINST INVASION
The order establishes a more stringent approach to immigration law enforcement and border security. It revokes several previous executive orders from 2021, including those focused on family reunification and regional migration frameworks. In their place, it implements a series of measures aimed at strengthening enforcement against unauthorized immigration and enhancing detention capabilities.
The order establishes Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTFs) in all states. These task forces will combine federal, state, and local law enforcement resources to combat criminal cartels, human trafficking, and transnational criminal organizations. The order particularly emphasizes protecting children from trafficking networks.
The directive mandates expanded detention facilities for removable aliens and encourages greater cooperation between federal and state law enforcement through Section 287(g) agreements, allowing state and local officers to perform immigration enforcement functions under federal supervision.
Financial measures in the order include an enhanced collection of civil fines and penalties from unauthorized immigrants and those who facilitate their presence. The order also addresses “recalcitrant countries” that resist accepting their deported nationals, potentially facing sanctions under Section 243(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The order takes aim at “sanctuary” jurisdictions, directing the evaluation of their access to federal funds and potential legal actions against practices that interfere with federal law enforcement operations. It also mandates the reestablishment of the VOICE office within Immigration and Customs Enforcement to provide services to victims of crimes committed by removable aliens.
Additional provisions include reviewing and potentially terminating federal funding to non-governmental organizations supporting unauthorized immigrants, ensuring denial of public benefits to unauthorized immigrants, and significantly increasing the number of immigration enforcement officers and agents.
The order specifically addresses previous administration policies, particularly regarding parole authority, Temporary Protected Status designations, and employment authorization. It directs these programs to be administered more restrictively and in strict accordance with statutory requirements.
To encourage compliance, the order calls for policies promoting voluntary departure of unauthorized immigrants and enhanced information sharing between federal agencies and state governments. A severability clause ensures that if any portion of the order is found invalid, the remainder will still be enforced to the maximum extent possible.
UNLEASHING ALASKA’S EXTRAORDINARY RESOURCE POTENTIAL
The order reshapes resource development policies in Alaska, outlining changes that would expand access to Alaska’s natural resources, particularly focusing on oil, gas, and LNG (liquefied natural gas) development.
The directive calls for a reversal of numerous environmental policies implemented between 2021 and 2025, with particular emphasis on reopening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for oil and gas exploration. It seeks to withdraw the 2021 temporary halt on ANWR activities and reinstate previously canceled leases in the region.
It accelerates Alaska’s LNG development potential, including streamlining permits for necessary pipeline and export infrastructure. The policy positions this as both an economic and national security imperative, particularly emphasizing exports to allied nations in the Pacific region.
The order also addresses several specific projects and areas, including the controversial Ambler Road project and the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). It calls for reviewing and potentially reversing recent environmental impact statements and management plans affecting these areas. The King Cove road corridor, connecting the community to Cold Bay’s all-weather airport, is specifically targeted for expedited development.
Indigenous interests are addressed through multiple provisions, including a directive to review Department of Interior guidance on taking Alaska Native lands into trust. However, the order also calls for denying a pending request to establish an indigenous sacred site in ANWR’s Coastal Plain.
Hunting and fishing rights receive particular attention, with the order emphasizing Alaskan cultural significance and directing federal agencies to align their regulations with state practices where possible. The document also mandates a review of Alaska’s waterways to potentially restore ownership to the state under the Submerged Lands Act.
The scope of the order extends beyond the Department of Interior to include actions by the Departments of Agriculture, Army, and Commerce. It specifically directs the Army Corps of Engineers to assist with transportation infrastructure maintenance and requires multiple agencies to review and potentially rescind any actions that might delay critical Alaskan projects.
PROTECTING THE UNITED STATES FROM FOREIGN TERRORISTS AND OTHER
NATIONAL SECURITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY THREATS
The order focuses on strengthening the vetting and screening processes for individuals seeking entry into the United States. It emphasizes protecting American citizens from potential security threats while maintaining the nation’s immigration system.
The directive mandates several key measures. First, it calls for the Secretary of State, Attorney General, Homeland Security Secretary, and Director of National Intelligence to collaborate in identifying resources for maximum vetting of all aliens seeking admission or already present in the United States. This includes re-establishing uniform baseline screening standards that were in place as of January 19, 2021.
Within 60 days, these officials must submit a report identifying countries with deficient vetting information that might warrant suspension of entry for their nationals. The report must also detail how many nationals from these countries have entered the U.S. since January 20, 2021.
The policy introduces additional protective measures to be implemented within 30 days. These include evaluating existing regulations related to grounds of inadmissibility, ensuring stringent identification verification for refugees, and assessing visa programs for potential exploitation by hostile actors.
The order calls for measures to identify foreign nationals who might undermine fundamental constitutional rights, including freedom of speech and religious exercise. The policy also focuses on proper assimilation of legal immigrants, promoting unified American identity and attachment to constitutional principles.
The Department of Homeland Security is authorized to take immediate action to exclude or remove individuals identified as threats, unless such action would impede significant criminal investigations or compromise national security interests.
AMERICA FIRST POLICY DIRECTIVE TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE
As soon as practicable, the Secretary of State shall issue guidance bringing the Department of State’s policies, programs, personnel, and operations in line with an America First foreign policy, which puts America and its interests first.
ESTABLISHING AND IMPLEMENTING THE PRESIDENT’S “DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY”
The order establishes the Department of Government Efficiency to modernize federal technology and implement the President’s DOGE (Digital Optimization for Government Efficiency) Agenda. It transforms the United States Digital Service into the United States DOGE Service (USDS), positioning it within the Executive Office of the President.
The initiative creates a temporary organization led by the USDS Administrator, who reports directly to the White House Chief of Staff. This temporary body will operate until July 4, 2026, focusing on an 18-month agenda to revolutionize government technology systems.
Under the order, federal agencies must establish DOGE Teams of at least four employees, including a team lead, engineer, HR specialist, and attorney. These teams will coordinate with USDS to implement the modernization agenda across their respective agencies.
A key component is the Software Modernization Initiative, aimed at improving government-wide software, network infrastructure, and IT systems. The USDS Administrator will work to promote interoperability between agency networks, ensure data integrity, and streamline data collection.
The order grants USDS unprecedented access to unclassified agency records and systems, superseding previous executive orders that might have limited such access.
DEFENDING WOMEN FROM GENDER IDEOLOGY EXTREMISM AND RESTORING BIOLOGICAL TRUTH TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The order establishes a binary definition of sex across all federal agencies and programs. The order explicitly defines sex as “an individual’s immutable biological classification as either male or female” and requires all federal agencies to separate the concept of sex from gender identity.
It mandates changes across multiple federal departments, including Health and Human Services, State Department, and the Bureau of Prisons. Key provisions include requiring government-issued identification documents to reflect biological sex rather than gender identity, prohibiting male inmates from being housed in women’s prisons, and removing gender identity considerations from federal forms and documents.
The order also impacts federal funding, explicitly prohibiting the use of government funds to “promote gender ideology.” Federal agencies are required to assess grant conditions and ensure that recipients do not promote concepts related to gender identity that conflict with the order’s definitions.
Additionally, the directive rescinds several Obama and Biden-era policies, including multiple guidance documents from the Department of Education regarding LGBTQI+ students. The order also dissolves the White House Gender Policy Council and requires the Attorney General to issue new guidance on the interpretation of the Bostock v. Clayton County Supreme Court decision.
Federal agencies have been given 120 days to submit implementation updates to the President through the Office of Management and Budget. These updates must detail changes to agency documents, regulations, forms, and communications, as well as any new requirements imposed on federal contractors to achieve compliance with the order.
ENDING RADICAL AND WASTEFUL GOVERNMENT DEI PROGRAMS AND PREFERENCING
The order terminates Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) programs across federal agencies. The order tasks the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), along with the Attorney General and Office of Personnel Management (OPM), with coordinating the dismantling of these initiatives.
Under the directive, federal agencies have 60 days to eliminate DEI and “environmental justice” offices, terminate related positions including Chief Diversity Officer roles, and end associated programs and grants. The order specifically targets any such programs existing as of November 4, 2024, including those that may have been “misleadingly relabeled” to preserve their functions.
The measure requires agencies to provide comprehensive documentation of all DEI-related positions, committees, programs, and expenditures. They must also identify contractors who provided DEI training and grantees who received federal funding for DEI or environmental justice initiatives since January 2021.
Deputy agency heads are tasked with assessing the operational impact and costs of previous administration’s DEI programs. They must recommend actions to align agency activities with the order’s stated policy of “equal dignity and respect,” including potential Congressional notifications under federal law.
To monitor implementation, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy will hold monthly meetings with OMB, OPM, and deputy agency heads. These sessions will review the prevalence and costs of DEI programs, address compliance barriers, and identify areas requiring additional presidential or legislative action.
The order also reforms federal employment practices, mandating that performance reviews focus solely on individual initiative, skills, and hard work, explicitly prohibiting consideration of DEI factors. A severability clause ensures that if any provision is found invalid, the remainder of the order remains in effect.
REFORMING THE FEDERAL HIRING PROCESS AND RESTORING MERIT TO GOVERNMENT SERVICE
The order outlines the administration’s Federal Hiring Plan, which emphasizes merit-based hiring practices that prohibit discrimination based on race, sex, or religion, while requiring candidates to demonstrate commitment to constitutional principles. A key feature is the implementation of the Chance to Compete Act of 2024’s technical assessment requirements, designed to evaluate candidates’ practical capabilities.
Operational improvements include an ambitious target to reduce the government-wide hiring timeline to under 80 days. The plan mandates enhanced communication with applicants through regular updates and feedback on application status. Modern technology integration, including data analytics and digital platforms, will streamline the recruitment process.
Senior Executive Service positions across major federal agencies will be strategically allocated to strengthen democratic leadership. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will provide guidance on human resources best practices for agency implementation.
To ensure accountability, the Office of Personnel Management will establish performance metrics and conduct regular evaluations.
DESIGNATING CARTELS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AS FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS AND SPECIALLY DESIGNATED GLOBAL TERRORISTS
The order establishes a framework to designate major international drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) or Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
It identifies cartels as a unique national security threat, citing their convergence with foreign terrorist organizations and hostile governments, their sophisticated adaptive systems, and their infiltration of Western Hemisphere governments. Of particular concern is their operational control over illegal border traffic through violence and intimidation, with the order noting that in parts of Mexico, cartels effectively function as de facto governmental entities.
Beyond traditional drug cartels, the order specifically mentions other transnational organizations, including Tren de Aragua (TdA) and MS-13, as similar threats to U.S. national security. In response to these threats, the President has declared a national emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
The executive order mandates swift action, giving the Secretary of State 14 days to consult with other key cabinet members and recommend specific organizations for terrorist designation. Simultaneously, the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security must prepare for potential invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, including readying facilities for removal operations.
This reclassification would significantly expand the government’s legal authority to combat these organizations, potentially allowing for enhanced surveillance, asset seizure, and prosecution of supporters. The move represents a dramatic escalation in the U.S. approach to combating drug trafficking organizations, effectively placing them in the same category as traditional terrorist groups.
RESTORING NAMES THAT HONOR AMERICAN GREATNESS
The order directs changes to prominent American geographical features, including the restoration of the name “Mount McKinley” to North America’s highest peak and the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.”
The order argues for restoring the McKinley name based on the 25th president’s leadership during the Spanish-American War and his economic policies. This would reverse the 2015 Obama administration decision that officially recognized the name “Denali,” which Alaska Natives had used for thousands of years. Under the order, while the peak would return to Mount McKinley, the surrounding area would remain Denali National Park and Preserve.
It mandates renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” citing the body of water’s importance to U.S. commerce, energy production, and fishing industries. The change would affect all federal documents and maps covering the 1,700-mile U.S. coastline along the gulf.
The order also directs changes to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, requiring agency heads to review and potentially replace current appointees within seven days. The Board would be tasked with implementing these changes and considering additional renamings to “honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans.”
To address potential concerns from affected communities, the Secretary of Interior is directed to work with Alaska Native entities and local organizations on naming landmarks that honor Alaskan cultural heritage. The order also allows for public input on additional naming recommendations, particularly in connection with America’s upcoming semiquincentennial celebration.
GUARANTEEING THE STATES PROTECTION AGAINST INVASION
The order invokes both constitutional and statutory authority to address what President Trump terms an “invasion” at the southern border. The order relies on sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) alongside constitutional powers to implement sweeping restrictions on entry and asylum claims.
It establishes multiple layers of enforcement. First, it suspends entry for individuals deemed part of an “invasion.” Second, it restricts access to asylum provisions under INA section 208. Third, it implements additional screening requirements for public health and security. Fourth, it invokes Article II and Article IV constitutional powers to physically prevent entry.
The order delegates significant operational authority to the Department of Homeland Security, working with the State Department and Justice Department, to “repel, repatriate, or remove” individuals crossing the southern border. The implementation timeline is indefinite, lasting until the president issues a finding that the “invasion has ceased.”