Following his inauguration, Donald Trump has swiftly implemented significant changes to the governance of America.
On Monday (January 20), President Trump took office for a second term, reclaiming the White House from Joe Biden, who had defeated him in 2020.
Although Trump chose not to attend Biden’s inauguration or welcome him to the White House before the ceremony, Biden extended a warm welcome to his successor, saying “Welcome Home!” as Trump and Melania arrived in Washington DC earlier this week.
By November 2024, Trump was once again elected president, with strong support from Republicans nationwide.
Just days into his return to the Oval Office, President Trump has already signed numerous orders that are set to bring significant changes to the United States.
Here’s a look at some of the actions he has taken since resuming the presidency.
Trump has once again tightened immigration policies, focusing particularly on the US-Mexico border.
It was announced on January 22 that The Pentagon plans to deploy up to 1,500 active duty troops to bolster security at the US-Mexico border in the coming days, as reported by Associated Press.
These forces are set to join the approximately 2,500 US National Guard and Reserve personnel currently stationed there.
He further irked Mexicans by suggesting a renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
In addition to border measures, Trump has ordered the suspension of refugee admissions into the US, resulting in the cancellation of all refugee travel just one day into his presidency.
Trump has also made his intentions clear regarding the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
All DEI workers were placed on paid leave as of 5 pm EST on January 22, with their offices slated for closure.
Although many believe the DEI initiatives have been beneficial, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community, Trump’s new order aims to prevent hiring decisions based on race and sex.
Moreover, the new president has mandated federal employees’ return to full-time office work, discontinuing remote working options.
Additionally, Trump has implemented a hiring freeze across almost all federal agencies, excluding military, immigration enforcement, national security, and public safety roles, as reported by Reuters.
Trump has also directed the US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change.
The agreement, which took effect in 2016, was accepted by nearly 200 countries, including the US.
This marks the second time Trump has initiated America’s withdrawal from the agreement, with Biden reversing this decision during his presidency in 2021.
While many countries are shifting away from oil and gas due to climate change considerations, Trump has signed orders to promote these energy sources in Alaska.
“We will drill, baby,” Trump stated during his inaugural address on Monday.
“We have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have – the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it. We’re going to use it.”
Trump has already made himself comfortable in the White House, making several adjustments to the Oval Office.
He has reinstated his famous Coca-Cola button and removed any portraits of Biden from his time in office.
Trump has also added personal photographs and replaced Biden’s darker rug with a neutral-colored one.