Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the United States, is known for his extensive use of executive orders to implement his policies. Executive orders are directives issued by the President to manage the operations of the federal government. They have the force of law but do not require approval from Congress. Trump’s executive orders have covered a wide range of topics, from immigration and healthcare to environmental regulations and national security.
During his first term from 2017 to 2021, Trump signed a total of 220 executive orders
1
. Some of the most notable ones include the travel ban, which restricted entry to the U.S. from several predominantly Muslim countries, and the order to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border
1
. These orders were highly controversial and faced numerous legal challenges.
In his second term, which began in 2025, Trump continued to use executive orders to advance his agenda. On his first day back in office, he signed a flurry of orders, including withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization and the Paris Agreement, and rolling back recognition of any genders outside male and female
2
. He also implemented a federal hiring freeze and founded the Department of Government Efficiency
2
.
One of the most significant executive orders from his second term was the mass pardon of approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot
2
. This order was met with widespread criticism and further polarized the nation. Trump also designated Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and attempted to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants
2
.
Trump’s executive orders have often been compared to Project 2025, a conservative policy blueprint aimed at reshaping the federal government under a Republican administration
3
. This 900-page document, spearheaded by the Heritage Foundation, outlines plans to expand executive authority, replace civil servants with ideologically aligned appointees, and impose much tougher restrictions on immigration
3
. While Trump’s orders were not an exact copy of Project 2025, they did resemble many of the policies outlined in the initiative
3
.
In addition to his domestic policies, Trump’s executive orders have also had significant implications for international relations. For example, his order to withdraw from the Paris Agreement was seen as a major setback for global efforts to combat climate change
2
. Similarly, his decision to reverse sanctions on Israeli settlers and designate Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations had far-reaching consequences for U.S. foreign policy
2
.
Trump’s use of executive orders has been both praised and criticized. Supporters argue that they allow the President to swiftly implement policies and bypass a gridlocked Congress. Critics, however, contend that they undermine the democratic process and concentrate too much power in the executive branch. Regardless of one’s perspective, there is no denying that Trump’s executive orders have had a profound impact on the United States and the world.
For more information, you can check out this YouTube video that provides an in-depth analysis of Trump’s executive orders.
1
en.wikipedia.org
2
en.wikipedia.org
3
Newsweek
وجهتك للاخبار الجديدة