Incoming President Donald Trump is gearing up for a series of executive actions on his first day in office, with several executive orders prepared for immediate signing. These orders are expected to eliminate funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, enhance enforcement on illegal border crossings, and relax regulations governing oil and natural gas exploration. Although Trump has promised numerous actions, it remains uncertain if he will accomplish all of them on that initial day.
Among Trump’s initiatives is a move to rename notable geographic features to reflect his administration’s vision of “American greatness.” For instance, he plans to designate the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, while Mount Denali, the tallest peak in North America, will be reverted to its previous name, Mount McKinley, which was changed by former President Barack Obama.
Regarding immigration, Trump is expected to rely on tactics established during his first term. He intends to declare a national emergency concerning the U.S.-Mexico border, deploy military support to assist immigration authorities, and impose restrictions on refugees and asylum seekers. He has also expressed intentions to revive a policy requiring asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while their cases are processed, although the acceptance of such migrants by Mexico remains uncertain. Furthermore, Trump aims to challenge birthright citizenship, a complex task as it is enshrined in the Constitution. Additionally, he has discontinued the Biden administration’s CBP One app, which allowed nearly one million migrants legal entry into the U.S.
On the economic front, Trump is preparing to sign orders that will alleviate regulatory barriers for oil and natural gas production, including one specifically related to Alaska. He also plans to issue a memorandum advocating a comprehensive government strategy for tackling inflation. However, he seems to have paused on implementing tariffs against China, Canada, and Mexico, suggesting a more cautious approach toward tax increases on imports while directing agencies to investigate trade issues.
In terms of policies surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as transgender rights, Trump intends to roll back protections for transgender individuals and dismantle government DEI programs, aligning with his campaign promises. An executive order is set to stipulate that the federal government will recognize only two sexes, defined biologically—male and female—according to whether individuals are born with eggs or sperm. This change will affect how federal prisons and shelters for migrants and victims of violence operate, segregating facilities based on the categories specified in this order. Additionally, federal funds will be prohibited from financing transition-related services.
Trump has also signaled his intention to pardon individuals convicted for their involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, although he did not mention this during his inaugural address. In subsequent remarks to a large audience after his speech, he emphasized the importance of action over words, indicating that his administration would take substantial steps to implement its agenda.
