An avalanche of executive orders!

Photo credit: ABC News

US President Donald Trump has signed dozens of executive orders in his first week back in office.

The Guardian reports that the orders include ending birthright citizenship, pardons for January 6 rioters, and withdrawing from the Paris climate accord. He’s also signed actions eliminating DEI and “gender radicalism” from the US military.

Although Trump is not yet done, here’s what to know about the executive orders he has signed since retaking the White House.

Gender-affirming care: this order attempts to end gender transitions for people under 19.

Reshaping the military: Trump signed three executive orders on 27 January that would reshape the military removing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, eliminating “gender radicalism” from the military, and reinstating soldiers who were expelled for refusing COVID-19 vaccines.

Start a process to “develop an ‘American Iron Dome'” – An executive order that would begin the process of creating a “next-generation” missile defence shield, which the administration is referring to as the American Iron Dome.

Review of disaster agency FEMA: Trump has ordered a review of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the disaster response agency and suggested there is “political bias” in the agency.

Declassifying MLK and JFK files: Trump ordered the release of thousands of classified documents on the assassinations of John F Kennedy, Robert F Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.

Removing ‘barriers’ to AI innovation and investing in digital financial assets: Trump signed an executive order calling for a review of all Biden policies on AI, to renovate policies that “act as barriers to American AI innovation”. A second order called for a working group to start work on crypto regulations.

Ending birthright citizenship: On his first day in office, Trump targeted automatic citizenship for US-born children of illegal immigrants.

Put a freeze on refugee admissions: Trump signed an order spending the country’s refugee resettlement program starting on January 27. Refugees may only be admitted on a case-by-case basis so long as their entry is in the “national interest”.

Leaving the World Health Organization: Trump has signed an order to have the US exit WHO.

Renaming the Gulf of Mexico: Trump ordered two name changes: the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska’s Mount Denali. Their new names are the Gulf of America and Mount McKinley, respectively.

Revoking electric vehicle targets: Trump revoked a non-binding executive order signed by Joe Biden at making half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 electric.

Reclassifying federal employees, making them easier to fire: Trump’s executive order reclassified thousands of federal employees as political hires, making it much easier for them to be fired.

Declaring a national energy emergency and ‘unleash’ oil production in Alaska: Trump declared a national emergency as part of a barrage of pro-fossil fuel actions and efforts to “unleash” already booming US energy production that included also rolling back restrictions in drilling in Alaska and undoing a pause on gas exports.

Creating a policy recognizing only two genders: Trump signed an order to remove “gender ideology guidance” from federal government communication, policies and forms. The order makes it official policy that there are “only two genders, male and female”.

Pausing the TikTok ban: Trump signed an executive order temporarily delaying the enforcement of a federal ban on TikTok for at least 75 days.

Rescinding 78 Biden-era executive decisions: Trump ordered 78 Biden-era executive actions to be rescinded, including at least a dozen measures supporting racial equity and combating discrimination against gay and transgender people.

Declaring a national border emergency: Trump signed an order of the White House declaring an emergency at the southern US border, along with several other immigration-related policies.

Issuing pardons for January 6 defendants: Trump has issued pardons for offenders and commutations related to the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement: Trump issued executive action withdrawing the US from the 2015 Paris agreement, along with a letter informing the United Nations of the decision.

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