Trump Signs Sweeping Executive Orders on First Day, Undoing Biden Policies and Freezing Federal Hiring

On his first evening as president, Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders that not only reverse many of the policies implemented by his predecessor, Joe Biden, but also set a new direction for federal operations. Among the actions taken by Trump include rescinding 78 executive orders, actions, and memoranda from the Biden administration, imposing a regulatory freeze, and halting all federal hiring.

Key Executive Actions

  • Rescinding 78 Biden Orders: Trump has moved to undo a wide range of policies from the Biden era, which could affect areas like climate policy, immigration, and public health measures.
  • Regulatory and Hiring Freeze: An immediate freeze on new regulations and federal hiring has been put into place, potentially affecting the implementation of new policies and the expansion of federal workforce.
  • Return to Office: Federal workers are now required to return to in-person work, ending the flexibility of remote work arrangements established during the tenure of both Trump and Biden administrations.
  • Cost of Living: Agencies are directed to address the cost of living crisis, though specifics on how this will be achieved have not yet been detailed.
  • Paris Climate Accords: Trump has officially withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accords, following through on a promise from his first term, with an accompanying letter to the United Nations explaining the decision.
  • Freedom of Speech: A directive has been issued to “restore freedom of speech” and prevent what Trump terms as “government censorship,” aiming to tackle what he perceives as suppression of conservative voices.
  • Ending Political Weaponization: Trump has also ordered measures to end what he describes as the “weaponization of government” against political adversaries from previous administrations.

Reactions

Public reactions to these executive orders are mixed. Some express relief and support, believing that these moves will streamline government operations and reduce what they see as government overreach. Others are concerned about the implications for federal workers, environmental policy, and the potential rollback of protections for workers and consumers.

There’s a notable debate about the Paris Climate Accord withdrawal, with many expressing worry over the U.S.’s role in global climate efforts, while others argue it frees up America from what they consider to be restrictive international agreements. On the topic of returning federal workers to the office, opinions vary from those who see it as a return to normalcy to those who argue it could stifle productivity and employee satisfaction.

The directive on freedom of speech has sparked discussions about the balance between protecting free expression and preventing misinformation, with some seeing it as a step towards more open dialogue, while others fear it might lead to less moderated public discourse.

In the broader context, these actions are viewed by some as setting a tone of aggressive policy reversal and a focus on deregulation, which could define Trump’s second term.

Bias Checker:

Rated center-left by NextGen AI.