On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump continued to implement significant policy changes through executive orders and directives. Key actions included:
Immigration and Border Security:
- National Emergency Declaration: Declared a national emergency at the southern border, enabling the deployment of military personnel to assist in halting illegal crossings. (thetimes.co.uk)
- “Remain in Mexico” Policy: Reinstated the “Remain in Mexico” policy, requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their hearings, aiming to reduce illegal crossings and enhance border security. (nypost.com)
Foreign Policy:
- World Health Organization (WHO): Issued an executive order to withdraw the United States from the WHO, citing concerns over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and political interference. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Foreign Aid Freeze: Ordered a 90-day pause on all U.S. foreign development assistance programs to conduct a review, leading to the suspension of existing aid programs, except for emergency food assistance and military aid to Egypt and Israel. (apnews.com)
Social Policies:
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs: Issued an executive order ending DEI initiatives across federal agencies and contractors, emphasizing merit-based hiring practices and revoking previous executive orders related to affirmative action. (sidley.com)
- Transgender Rights: Signed an executive order defining sex as an immutable biological classification, mandating its use throughout the federal government, and rescinding previous policies regarding gender identity. (en.wikipedia.org)
Public Health:
- CDC Data Removal: Directed the removal of public health information related to HIV and the health of teens, transgender, and LGBTQ+ individuals from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, aligning with the administration’s stance on “gender ideology and extremism.” (politico.com)
These actions reflect President Trump’s commitment to his campaign promises and a significant shift in U.S. policy across various sectors.