What Did Donald Trump Do Today?
January 20, 2025 Recap Part II
Editor’s note: This is the second part of today’s recap. Part I is here in case you missed it. On his first day in office, President Trump issued a massive number of executive orders, and email limits have forced me to break up today’s recap into parts.
President Trump issued a memorandum directing the General Services Administration (GSA) to develop recommendations within 60 days to promote visually identifiable, civic Federal architecture that respects regional, traditional, and classical heritage. The aim is to enhance public spaces, elevate civic pride, and reflect the nation's self-governance ideals. The recommendations should consider revising the Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture and improving processes for incorporating community input in building design. Additionally, suppose the GSA intends to approve a Federal building design that deviates from these principles. In that case, it must notify the President at least 30 days before avoiding significant expenditures, explaining the rationale for such approval.
President Trump issued a memorandum to restore accountability within the Career Senior Executive Service (SES), which significantly influences federal government operations and the well-being of Americans. Citing the Constitution and Supreme Court precedent, the memorandum emphasizes that SES officials must be fully accountable to the President, ensuring they faithfully execute the nation's laws and policies. It calls for swift action to address inefficiencies, negligence, unauthorized disclosures, and resistance to policy implementation. The directive outlines specific steps, including revising SES performance plans, reassigning SES members to align with administration priorities, restructuring Executive Resources Boards and Performance Review Boards focusing on accountability, and empowering agency heads to take decisive action against underperforming SES officials, including removal.
President Trump has issued an executive order declaring a national energy emergency, citing inadequate energy infrastructure and supply as critical threats to U.S. national and economic security. The order attributes the situation to prior administration policies and highlights the reliance on foreign energy and hostile actors' influence on international energy markets. It underscores the need for a robust, diversified domestic energy supply to support industries, national defense, and modern life. The executive order directs federal agencies to expedite energy infrastructure development, utilize emergency powers under various laws, and address vulnerabilities in refining, transportation, and energy production, focusing on the Northeast and West Coast regions. Additionally, the order calls for emergency regulatory actions under the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and other statutes to prioritize energy-related projects. Federal coordination and interagency efforts are emphasized to ensure energy security, foster economic growth, and strengthen relations with allies. The directive outlines specific reporting, consultation, and assessment measures to address energy vulnerabilities swiftly and efficiently.
President Trump issued a memorandum temporarily withdrawing all areas on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) from offshore wind energy leasing, effective January 21, 2025. This decision, grounded in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, aims to balance energy development with environmental stewardship, economic considerations, and the protection of marine life. The memorandum halts the issuance of new or renewed wind energy leases and mandates a comprehensive review of existing wind leasing and permitting practices. It emphasizes concerns over legal deficiencies, environmental impacts on wildlife, economic costs, and subsidies. Federal agencies, led by the Department of the Interior, are directed to assess these impacts and provide detailed reports to the President. The memorandum also places a temporary moratorium on activities related to the Lava Ridge Wind Project, citing potential public interest conflicts and environmental harm. Furthermore, it calls for evaluating defunct windmills' environmental and economic effects. The order stipulates that implementation will align with existing laws and available funding without granting enforceable rights to third parties.
President Trump issued a memorandum addressing the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Global Tax Deal, stating it undermines U.S. sovereignty by allowing extraterritorial jurisdiction over American income and limiting domestic tax policy. The memorandum declares that commitments made under the prior administration regarding the deal hold no force in the United States unless enacted by Congress. It directs the Treasury Secretary and U.S. representatives to the OECD to formally notify the organization of this stance and take necessary actions to uphold U.S. interests. Furthermore, in collaboration with the U.S. Trade Representative, it tasks the Treasury Secretary to assess foreign tax practices that disproportionately affect American businesses and propose protective measures within 60 days. The memorandum emphasizes compliance with applicable laws and specifies it does not create enforceable legal rights.
President Trump issued an executive order emphasizing strict enforcement of U.S. immigration laws to address illegal immigration and its perceived impact on national security, public safety, and the economy. The order criticizes policies of the prior administration, asserting they facilitated unlawful entry into the country. It outlines measures to revoke prior executive orders related to immigration, enhance law enforcement collaboration through Homeland Security Task Forces, and prioritize deportation and prosecution of individuals unlawfully present. The order mandates compliance with legal obligations, imposes fines for violations, and promotes the voluntary departure of undocumented immigrants. It also calls for increased detention capacity, restrictions on public benefits for undocumented individuals, and audits of federal funds supporting them. Further, the order aims to combat human trafficking, dismantle criminal organizations, and ensure foreign states cooperate in repatriating their nationals. It re-establishes the VOICE office to support victims of crimes committed by removable aliens and seeks to expand the workforce of immigration officers. This directive prioritizes the interests of U.S. citizens while reinforcing a zero-tolerance approach to unlawful immigration.
President Trump issued an executive order to unlock Alaska's vast natural resource potential, citing benefits to national economic growth, job creation, and energy security. The order seeks to reverse restrictions from the previous administration, prioritizing resource development on federal and state lands. Key provisions include expediting energy project permits, prioritizing Alaska's liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, and facilitating oil and gas exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Federal agencies are directed to rescind or revise regulations hindering development and ensure Alaska's sovereignty in managing resources. The order emphasizes energy dominance, infrastructure development, and subsistence priorities for Alaskan communities while ensuring alignment with existing laws.
President Trump issued an executive order to enhance national security by protecting the United States from foreign terrorists and other threats. The order outlines a comprehensive policy to ensure that all foreign nationals seeking admission to the U.S. are rigorously vetted to prevent individuals with hostile intentions from entering or remaining in the country. It mandates enhanced interagency collaboration to identify and address deficiencies in visa screening and vetting processes, particularly for nationals from countries with security risks. The order also calls for stricter measures to evaluate visa programs, refugee admission processes, and assimilation programs for lawful immigrants to uphold American constitutional values and safety. Additionally, it requires agencies to recommend actions to safeguard freedom of speech and religion, prevent the misuse of visa programs, and promote a unified national identity. The provisions align with existing laws and appropriations, ensuring that the measures taken to protect the public do not create enforceable legal rights against the government.
President Trump issued an executive order titled the "America First Policy Directive to the Secretary of State," emphasizing a foreign policy prioritizing American interests and citizens. The directive mandates the Secretary of State to align the Department of State's policies, programs, personnel, and operations with an "America First" agenda as soon as feasible. The order specifies that it must not interfere with existing legal authority, budgetary processes, or applicable laws and does not create enforceable rights or benefits for any party. It underscores a commitment to recalibrating U.S. foreign policy to prioritize national interests within existing legal and budgetary frameworks.
President Trump issued an executive order establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to modernize federal technology and improve governmental efficiency. The order renames the United States Digital Service (USDS) as the United States DOGE Service. It creates a temporary organization under the USDS Administrator to implement the 18-month DOGE agenda, set to conclude on July 4, 2026. Each federal agency must form a DOGE Team of at least four employees to coordinate with USDS and advance the agenda. The initiative focuses on software modernization, promoting inter-agency system interoperability, enhancing data integrity, and streamlining IT infrastructure. Agency Heads are required to provide USDS full access to relevant records and systems, ensuring data protection. The order displaces prior regulations that hinder USDS access while maintaining compliance with existing laws and budgetary considerations. It does not create enforceable legal rights for individuals or entities.
President Trump issued an executive order asserting the recognition of biological sex as a fundamental and immutable reality aimed at countering gender ideology. The order mandates federal agencies to use sex-based definitions, acknowledging only male and female categories based on biological distinctions. It emphasizes the preservation of single-sex spaces, such as prisons and shelters, and prohibits the use of federal funds to support policies or materials promoting gender ideology. The order directs agencies to revise documents and practices to align with these definitions and rescinds previous executive orders and guidelines perceived as endorsing gender identity over biological sex. It also calls for drafting legislation to codify these definitions into law while reinforcing the protection of sex-based rights in workplaces, federally funded entities, and public accommodations.
President Trump issued an executive order to terminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government, criticizing them as discriminatory and wasteful. He attributed their establishment to policies introduced by the Biden administration, particularly Executive Order 13985, which sought to advance racial equity across federal agencies. The new order mandates the elimination of DEI-related offices, positions, and programs within 60 days, requiring agencies to report on existing DEI expenditures and evaluate their impact. It directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and other federal entities to revise employment and training policies to prioritize merit-based evaluations and prohibit consideration of DEI factors. The order also requires monthly reporting to the President on the costs and implications of DEI programs and outlines steps for potential additional legislative actions. Provisions ensure the order's implementation complies with existing laws and does not create enforceable legal rights.
President Trump issued an executive order to reform federal hiring practices, emphasizing merit, practical skills, and commitment to constitutional principles. The order criticizes current hiring practices as outdated and influenced by impermissible factors like equity and gender identity, arguing these undermine efficiency and exclude qualified candidates. Within 120 days, a Federal Hiring Plan will be developed to attract skilled, dedicated Americans. The plan includes prioritizing efficiency, modernizing technology, and reducing hiring timelines to under 80 days while maintaining constitutional fidelity and avoiding discrimination based on race, sex, or religion. Federal agencies must enhance hiring processes with clear performance metrics and regular reporting to ensure accountability and effectiveness. The reforms aim to build a highly skilled workforce to serve citizens and uphold American ideals.
President Trump issued an executive order designating international cartels and other transnational organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) to address their national security threat to the United States. The order highlights the significant destabilization caused by these groups, including drug trafficking, violence, and infiltration into governments in the Western Hemisphere. It declares their activities a national emergency and outlines policies to eliminate their presence and influence in the U.S. In consultation with other federal agencies, the Secretary of State must recommend within 14 days which organizations should be designated as FTOs or SDGTs. The order also directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to prepare operational plans to address incursions and facilitate the removal of individuals associated with these entities. The initiative underscores the administration's commitment to safeguarding national security and territorial integrity.
President Trump issued an executive order to restore names that honor significant figures and moments in American history. The order prioritizes celebrating the nation's heritage and honoring American heroes by naming national landmarks and treasures after them. It directs a review and potential reorganization of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to align with this policy. The order reinstates the name "Mount McKinley" for North America’s highest peak, reversing a 2015 decision to name it Denali, and highlights President McKinley’s contributions to the nation. The Gulf of Mexico is also renamed the "Gulf of America" to emphasize its critical role in U.S. history and economy. The order also encourages collaboration with local entities to honor regional history and culture and outlines steps for future naming decisions in anticipation of the nation’s 250th anniversary. It ensures all actions comply with existing laws and budgetary constraints.
President Trump issued a proclamation declaring the southern border situation an invasion under Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution. Citing the constitutional and statutory authority vested in the presidency, Trump emphasized the sovereign right to control national borders and prevent unauthorized entry. He outlined the failures of the current immigration system to adequately screen individuals for health, safety, and security risks, especially in the face of overwhelmed border operations. Highlighting the significant public health, safety, and financial burdens placed on states, Trump invoked emergency powers under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to suspend and restrict entry of individuals engaged in the invasion, enforce operational control measures, and direct federal agencies to repatriate unauthorized entrants. The proclamation underscores a commitment to ensuring state protection against invasion and prioritizes national security, public safety, and operational border control until the situation is resolved.
President Trump delivered remarks at Emancipation Hall. He began by acknowledging the audience, expressing gratitude for their loyalty, and describing them as energetic and supportive. Reflecting on the event, he joked about the deceptive weather and shared lighthearted anecdotes, including his wife Melania’s perseverance during the day’s activities.
Trump praised political allies, notably JD Vance, whose success in the Senate he highlighted, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, commending his leadership and strong Republican support. He also criticized prominent figures such as Nancy Pelosi and Liz Cheney, accusing them of corruption and political bias. Transitioning to border security, Trump detailed the construction of the border wall during his administration, emphasizing its robust design and effectiveness. He criticized the Biden administration's plans to sell unused materials from the wall and applauded Texas Governor Greg Abbott for addressing border security challenges.
Reflecting on the 2020 election, Trump reiterated claims of election fraud and stressed the importance of voter ID laws, arguing they are critical for election integrity. He highlighted efforts to engage Hispanic voters and unions, noting their significant support during his campaigns. Looking ahead, Trump outlined his vision to "turn the country around" if re-elected, focusing on addressing issues such as crime, immigration, and inflation.