Trump’s first day in office: Pardons rioters, declares border emergency, recognizes only 2 biological sexes

On January 20, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders on his first day in office, focusing on immigration, gender identity, and criminal justice. These actions, including controversial moves to tighten border security, redefine federal recognition of gender, and grant pardons to Capitol riot participants, signal the administration's intent to swiftly enact its agenda and roll back policies from the previous administration.

One of the most significant actions taken was the pardon of approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot. These individuals had been arrested for participating in the storming of the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to prevent the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory. The pardons apply to those charged with offenses ranging from trespassing to assaulting law enforcement officers. Trump’s action is part of his broader effort to support individuals involved in the insurrection, continuing his stance from previous years where he had expressed solidarity with the rioters.

On immigration, Trump issued a number of orders aimed at reinforcing border security and curbing illegal immigration. One major executive order declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, empowering federal agencies to reallocate funds for the construction of a border wall. The order also includes measures to enhance border enforcement, including an immediate suspension of the CBP One program, which had been established under the Biden administration to allow migrants to schedule appointments for legal entry into the U.S. The actions taken also include the halting of asylum programs that permitted migrants to enter the U.S. while awaiting court hearings, aiming to reduce both legal and illegal immigration.

Another key executive order signed on January 20 addresses gender identity within federal systems. The order mandates that only two biological sexes, male and female, be recognized in government-funded programs and services. This decision effectively eliminates the recognition of non-binary, genderfluid, and other gender identities, which had been included in policies under the previous administration. The order affects various federal sectors, including healthcare, education, and employment regulations, and standardizes the federal definition of gender based on biological sex as assigned at birth.

In addition to these actions, President Trump signed an order suspending the U.S. refugee resettlement program for four months. This suspension aims to reduce the number of refugees entering the country, aligning with the administration's broader goal to limit immigration. The suspension is part of a comprehensive review of U.S. immigration policies, which includes further tightening of asylum procedures, restricting the issuance of temporary visas, and reviewing vetting processes for migrants from certain countries.

The executive orders also covered a broad range of other domestic and international policy areas. These included orders to initiate a review of trade relationships with Mexico, impose tariffs, and revisit agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord and the World Health Organization (WHO). On domestic issues, Trump also moved to freeze government hiring and imposed a temporary freeze on new federal regulations, reflecting his goal to reduce government intervention in the private sector.

Trump’s first-day executive actions represent a swift and decisive approach to fulfilling his campaign promises. The orders are likely to face legal challenges, particularly concerning the gender recognition directive and the immigration policies, which critics argue could be discriminatory or unconstitutional. However, these actions lay the groundwork for the President’s priorities and demonstrate his commitment to changing the direction of U.S. domestic and foreign policy.