Ending Government DEI Programs:
Claiming that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs implemented in government by previous administrations (especially the Biden administration) were illegal, Trump passed Executive Order 14151 on Jan. 20 to disband all such policies. The order provided newly instated Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Charles Ezell, and Attorney General Pam Biondi with the ability to the termination and revision of federal contracts, grants, programs, and policies that consider DEI or implement DEI policy. This executive order also demands that all heads of government agencies, departments, or commissions remove all programs related to DEI and that the Director of OMB be provided with any and all government employees and agencies involved with or receiving aid from DEI programs.
Recently, US District Judge Adam Abelson granted an injunction that blocked a major aspect of EO 14151: implementation. Abelson argued that the order was unconstitutionally vague and has blocked the administration’s ability to terminate federal programs promoting DEI.
Withdrawing US from World Health Organization (WHO):
On Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order 14155, stating that the United States would pull out of the World Health Organization. Trump gave several reasons for this withdrawal, citing a mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the main reasons for the country’s departure. Trump similarly called out the People’s Republic of China, stating that he believed the United States was being charged unfairly compared to other nations – like China – which have a population that is triple the US. Trump tried to withdraw the US four and a half years ago in July of 2020, but the withdrawal was blocked by former president Joe Biden in January of 2021. This departure from the WHO could see its budget drop by almost one-fifth. There may be unintended consequences to this withdrawal, Argentina has already proclaimed that it will leave the organization in support of President Trump, setting a dangerous trend for countries worldwide. According to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the withdrawal “is likely to cause enormous strain on the global community. Ultimately the global community, including Americans, will suffer and have poorer health.” Overall, the withdrawal will cause a significant strain on the US and their global partnerships; like many of President Trump’s executive orders, the full effects are yet to be felt.
Establishing Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE):
One of President Trump’s most infamous executive orders, Executive Order 14158, saw the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE. DOGE is not an official government department as that would require approval from Congress, but it is an advisory group, with at least four employees monitoring each department. The organization was created to “modernize Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity,” according to the executive order issued by Trump. DOGE was the brainchild of Elon Musk, a figure who has become very divisive over the past year. While Musk helped to create the program, he is not its head. DOGE plans to upgrade the government IT infrastructure and improve efficiency. So far DOGE has eliminated USAID, which affects millions worldwide, as well as DEI initiatives. It has also made buyout offers to two million government employees to try to reduce the federal workforce. Overall, DOGE has been given a lot of power over the federal government, and many Democrats have protested the changes and the power that Elon wields over the president.
Ending Birthright Citizenship:
In Executive Order 14160, signed on Jan. 20, Trump claimed that birthright citizenship is a misinterpretation of the 14th Amendment, and asserted that US citizenship should not be afforded to children born to illegal immigrants or temporary residents of the US. This order has been blocked and challenged by several federal judges across the country on the accusation that it is unconstitutional. Many lawsuits have also been filed against the executive order, one of which was filed by attorney generals from 18 states, stating as one body that, “President Trump may believe that he is above the law, but today’s preliminary injunction sends a clear message: He is not a king, and he cannot rewrite the Constitution with the stroke of a pen.”
Restoring Death Penalty:
Trump underscored his belief in the death penalty as a powerful, “essential tool for deterring and punishing” felons in Executive Order 14164, which was signed on Jan. 20. In this document, he denounced the actions taken by previous administrations (of which he called out the Biden administration by name) to commute the sentences of convicts on death row. Trump vehemently argued against policies such as these, and urged members of his administration to ensure the death penalty remains an option in states in which it is legal, as well as overruling precedents set by the Supreme Court that limit the ability of both state and federal governments to impose the death penalty.
Implementing Anti-Trans Policy – EO 14168, EO 14187, EO 14201:
Through several executive orders, including EO 14168, 14187, and 14201, Trump has made clear his intent to limit and suppress trans individuals as much as possible in America, whom he believes to be corrupting the concept of gender and posing a danger to children and women. Despite the criticism of many medical and legal professionals, Trump has imposed policies such as governmental recognition of only the male and female sexes, the changing of gender to an individual’s assigned sex at birth on official documents such as passports, the movement of trans women to men’s prisons, the defunding of gender affirming care for trans youth, and various other orders meant to target trans and gender-nonconforming Americans.
Establishing the White House Faith Office:
Executive Order 14205 aims to improve religious groups’ abilities to receive grants, contracts, and federal funding. Trump claims that “Faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship have a tremendous ability to serve individuals, families, and communities through means that are different from those of government”. This order also created the White House Office of Faith, an organization that is committed to empowering faith-based groups around the US. Trump also expressed his commitment to work to protect the right to freedom of religion free from government interference.
Ending the Use of Paper Straws:
On Feb. 10, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14208, which banned paper straws. The policy also makes it government policy to put forth policies in any branch of the government that would “disfavor plastic straws” and seeks to end procurement of paper straws to all government offices. Trump’s reasoning for this order is that paper straws may contain chemicals that are harmful to humans and that any environmental impact is undermined by the fact that some straws come wrapped in plastic. While this order may seem inconsequential compared to other orders by Trump, it may be a preview of harsher policies to come. Trump has often downplayed or denied the effects of climate change and this policy is a step towards an America that cares less and less about the environment. Trump already withdrew the US from the Paris Climate Accords in his first term and he is expected to do so again. While the executive order banning paper straws may seem inconsequential, what it represents would dramatically impact future US climate policy and have effects that are felt all across the world.
2025 Donald J. Trump Executive Orders (Federal Register)
