Donald Trump wasted no time getting to work as president, as he made an extreme law change in under 24 hours.
Trump was inaugurated on January 20 and has settled into life during his second term in the Oval Office.
It’s not secret that he wasn’t a massive fan of the previous administration, and has already begun undoing some of their work.
One of Trump’s first executive orders lifted a moratorium on federal executions that had been in place since 2021.
This decision comes after former President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 inmates on federal death row to life imprisonment, leaving only three individuals awaiting execution.
In the executive order, Trump criticized the prior administration, stating: “Commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 most vile and sadistic r*pists, child m*lesters, and murderers on Federal death row: remorseless criminals who brutalized young children, strangled and drowned their victims, and hunted strangers for sport.”
The order also argued for the necessity of capital punishment, asserting that it serves as an essential deterrent for the most heinous crimes.
Trump emphasized the constitutional basis for the death penalty, declaring: “Our Founders knew well that only capital punishment can bring justice and restore order in response to such evil.”
This wasn’t the only thing the President did on his first day in office, as he had a very busy day.
Some of the things that Trump signed off on include:
National Border EmergencyBuilding on his earlier immigration stance, Trump declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. The administration pledged enhanced border security measures and efforts to curb illegal immigration.
“Millions of illegal aliens… including potential terrorists, foreign spies, members of cartels, gangs, and violent transnational criminal organizations… must be stopped,” read the order, echoing the president’s longstanding rhetoric.
Suspension of Refugee AdmissionsThe president issued an order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, citing national security concerns.
“The further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States,” the order stated, leaving refugee admissions to the discretion of federal officials.
End of Birthright CitizenshipIn a controversial move, Trump ended birthright citizenship for children of non-citizens under specific conditions, prompting significant legal and political debate.
The order described U.S. citizenship as a “priceless and profound gift” not to be granted automatically.
“Only Two Genders” PolicyFederal agencies were instructed to recognize only male and female genders in official policies.
“Each agency shall enforce laws governing sex-based rights, protections, opportunities, and accommodations to protect men and women as biologically distinct sexes,” the order declared, prompting criticism from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.
Ending Remote Work for Federal EmployeesFederal employees will return to full-time, in-person work following an executive order that terminated remote work policies.
“Agency heads shall take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements,” the order stated.
You can read everything Trump signed off on during his first 24 hours in office HERE.
