Donald Trump on Monday took oath as the 47th president of the US and immediately promised a blitz of executive orders as he announced the beginning of a “golden age” of America. In his inaugural address, 78-year-old Trump laid out his vision for the next four years, described January 20 as the “liberation day” for the US and declared that “America’s decline is over” as he will bring changes “very quickly”.
“This is the greatest political movement in American history, and 75 days ago, we achieved the most epic political victory our country has ever seen,” he said. “Starting tomorrow, I will act with historic speed of strength and fix every single crisis facing our country.”
“Tomorrow at noon, the curtain closes on four long years of American decline, and we begin a brand new day of American strength and prosperity,” Trump told a packed sports arena.
He reiterated he would pardon many of the more than 1,500 people convicted or charged in connection with the attack. The incoming President also vowed to repeal “every radical and foolish executive order of the Biden administration” within hours of assuming the presidency at noon ET (1700 GMT).
“I will end the war in Ukraine, I will stop the chaos in the Middle East and I will prevent World War 3 from happening – and you have no idea how close we are,” he said further, adding, “We’re going to stop the invasion of our borders.”
Trump has pledged to launch the largest deportation effort in US history, which would remove millions of immigrants. An operation of that scale, however, would likely take years and be hugely costly. He also reiterated he would pardon many of the more than 1,500 people convicted or charged in connection with the attack.
The future US commander-in-chief also promised “lots” of executive orders from his first day back in the Oval Office, including one to ban “transgender insanity” and critical race theory from schools and to keep trans athletes out of women’s sports.
He also reiterated a promise to release files on the assassinations of former president John F. Kennedy, his brother Bobby Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
After being sworn in as US president again, the Republican wasted no time in using his powers to act on a range of policy priorities. These covered issues from immigration and climate to pardoning people convicted for the 2021 Capitol riot. Executive orders carry the weight of law, but can be overturned by subsequent presidents or the courts.
‘National emergency’
Trump has proclaimed that “America’s sovereignty is under attack”, declaring this to be a national emergency that allows him to free up more funding to reinforce the border with Mexico. The same directive tells officials to relaunch efforts to build a border wall with Mexico that was started under his first presidency. This is not an executive order and it is unclear how such an effort might be funded.
Closing the border
The president has told the military to “seal the borders” – citing the flow of illicit drugs, human smuggling and crime relating to crossings.
Birthright citizenship
Trump has ordered that officials deny the right to citizenship to the children of migrants either in the US illegally or on temporary visas.
But the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution has long been interpreted to enshrine that right, and Trump’s order was immediately challenged in federal court.
End of LGBTQ protections
US President Donald Trump repealed numerous executive orders promoting LGBTQ equality and issued new ones decreeing only two genders and ending government diversity programs Monday, definitively breaking with what he decries as “woke” culture.
Terrorism designation for gangs and cartels
Trump has designated drug cartels and international gangs as foreign terrorist organisations – adding the likes of Salvadoran gang MS-13 to a list that includes the so-called Islamic State.
‘Remain in Mexico’ and no more ‘catch and release’
Trump has re-implemented his “Remain in Mexico” policy from his first term. This returned about 70,000 non-Mexican asylum seekers across the border to await hearings, before being cancelled by President Joe Biden.
Death penalty for some immigrant criminals
Trump has ordered that the federal death penalty be reinstated. Executions have not happened in recent years. It would apply to any “capital crime committed by an alien illegally present in this country” and anyone convicted of murdering a law-enforcement officer.
Refugee resettlement
Trump has suspended the US refugee resettlement programme, though details remain unclear.
Withdrawal from World Health Organisation
Trump signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the US from the UN’s health body, the World Health Organisation (WHO). This marks the second time Trump has ordered the US be pulled out of the WHO, after Biden re-entered it. He was critical of how the Geneva-based institution handled Covid-19.
(Agencies; Picture Courtesy: AP)
