On January 27, 2025, the eighth day of his second term, President Donald Trump undertook several significant actions:
Executive Actions:
- Military Policy Overhaul: President Trump signed Executive Order 14183, titled “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness,” which:
- Revoked previous policies allowing transgender individuals to serve openly in the military.
- Directed the Department of Defense to update medical and enlistment standards, emphasizing that conditions requiring long-term medical treatment, such as gender dysphoria, are inconsistent with military service requirements.
- Mandated the use of pronouns and facilities corresponding to an individual’s biological sex.
- Set a 60-day timeline for implementing these changes. This move was justified by the administration as necessary for maintaining unit cohesion and overall military effectiveness. However, it faced immediate criticism from civil rights organizations, which argued that it discriminates against transgender individuals and undermines inclusivity within the armed forces. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Federal Funding Freeze: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memorandum (M-25-13) directing all federal agencies to temporarily pause the obligation or disbursement of federal financial assistance effective January 28, 2025. The pause aimed to allow the administration to review programs related to foreign aid, non-governmental organizations, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, gender-related policies, and environmental projects associated with the Green New Deal. Essential services like Medicare and Social Security were exempted. This action led to widespread confusion among government employees, lawmakers, and non-profit organizations due to its broad scope and lack of detailed guidance. (hklaw.com)
Public Engagements:
- House Republican Conference Speech: President Trump delivered a speech at the House Republican Issues Conference held at the Trump National Doral golf club in Miami. During his address, he discussed recent executive actions, including the military policy changes and the federal funding freeze. He emphasized his commitment to reshaping federal policies and reiterated his administration’s focus on national security and fiscal responsibility. (youtube.com)
These actions reflect President Trump’s aggressive approach in implementing his policy agenda during the early days of his second term, focusing on military readiness and reevaluating federal spending priorities.
For a more detailed view of President Trump’s speech at the House Republican Conference, you can watch the full address below:
President Donald Trump full speech at the House Republican Conference