Trump's First Week in Office: A Sweeping Overhaul of Federal Policies
From Border Security to Freedom for Ross Ulbricht, Here's Every Executive Action Signed by President Trump Since January 20, 2025
Donald Trump 2.0 has wasted little time pardoning some notables in his first week as President of the United States. Most notable within libertarian circles are Ross Ulbricht and Julian Assange, who Trump issued pardons (no word yet on Edward Snowden). Also, the January 6th defendants were issued a mass pardon, and then yesterday, Trump issued full and unconditional pardons for D.C. police officers Andrew Zabavsky and Terrence Sutton.
On day two, Trump issued a full unconditional pardon for entrepreneur Ross Ulbricht, who had served 4,130 days of a life sentence for running a website called Silk Road. All his charges, but one, were “conspiracy” charges. Trump also did the same for Julian Assange, who also was facing charges for running his website, WikiLeaks.
It’s been a busy few days for Trump and his transition team. Trump has issued many other policy changes, reversing 78 of the policies that Biden’s team had implemented. Trump has also issued another executive order to end the weaponization of the federal government, using “Law Fare” via the Justice Department and other federal agencies against political opponents.
Trump has also issued a regulatory freeze, allowing time for review.
Here’s a list so far:
Hiring Freeze - Freezing federal hiring except for positions in the military, immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety.
Mandate for In-Person Work - Federal workers must return to full-time in-person work immediately.
National Emergency at the U.S.-Mexico Border - To deploy military personnel to enhance border security.
End Birthright Citizenship - An executive order to end birthright citizenship, likely facing legal challenges.
Reinstatement of "Remain in Mexico" Policy - Forcing asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are processed in the U.S.
Withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement - Formally withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord.
Withdrawal from the World Health Organization - Removing U.S. participation from the WHO.
Addressing Inflation - An executive action to combat consumer inflation.
Designation of Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations - Aiming to use the Alien Enemies Act to remove them.
Suspension of Foreign Assistance - Temporarily suspending all U.S. foreign assistance programs for 90 days for review.
Delay of TikTok Ban - Temporarily suspending enforcement of the federal ban on TikTok for 75 days.
Recognition of Only Two Sexes - An order stating that the U.S. government will recognize only males and females as biological sexes.
End to DEI Programs - Terminating all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the federal government.
National Energy Emergency - To fast-track permits for new fossil fuel infrastructure and ease restrictions on drilling in Alaska.
Suspension of Offshore Wind Projects - Temporarily halting offshore wind lease sales and pausing approvals for wind projects to protect the whales.
Protection of Free Speech - Ensuring government agencies do not unconstitutionally abridge free speech.
Trade Review - Directing a review of trade practices and agreements.
Revoking Security Clearances - Of former officials perceived as adversaries, including John Bolton.
Creation of Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) - Aimed at cutting government spending, headed by Elon Musk.
Renaming of Geographical Features - Changing names like Denali back to Mount McKinley and the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
