Trump signs 1st executive orders: Targets regulations, diversity programs, and climate pact
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump signed his first round of executive orders hours after he was sworn-in on Monday.
Supporters filled nearly all of the 20,000-plus-seat Capital One Arena in downtown Washington for a "Make America Great" victory celebration, and cheered as Trump said he’d take quick action on everything from cracking down on the U.S.-Mexico border to promoting oil drilling, reining in the federal workforce and eradicating diversity programs.
"We’re going to give them the best first day, the biggest first week and the most extraordinary first 100 days of any presidency in American history," said Trump, who also promised to roll back executive actions by his predecessor, outgoing President Joe Biden, "within hours."
Trump signs first wave of executive orders
Halting 78 Biden-era executive actions
Trump rescinded dozens of directives issued by Biden, including those relating to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, global warming and sanctioning Israeli settlers involved in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
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A regulatory freeze preventing bureaucrats from issuing regulations until the Trump administration has full control of the government
Trump seeks to reduce the role of federal bureaucrats and to cut regulations across economic sectors.
He frames all regulatory cuts as an economic magic wand. He pledges precipitous drops in household utility bills by removing obstacles to fossil fuel production, including opening all federal lands for exploration — even though U.S. energy production is already at record highs.
Trump promises to unleash housing construction by cutting regulations — though most construction rules come from state and local government. He also says he would end "frivolous litigation from the environmental extremists."
A freeze on all federal hiring except for military and a few other essential areas
Trump has said he wants to halt the hiring of many federal workers until his administration is fully established.
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A requirement that federal workers return to full-time in-person work
Federal workers will have to return to the office immediately.
A directive to every department and agency to address the cost of living crisis
Trump also signed a directive telling federal agencies to conduct a 30-day review of how they can help to lower the costs of housing, health care, food, energy and home appliances as well as finding ways to bring more people into the workforce.
Withdrawal from the Paris climate treaty
Trump said he will again withdraw the United States, a top carbon polluting nation, from the landmark Paris climate agreement, dealing a blow to worldwide efforts to combat global warming and once again distancing the U.S. from its closest allies.
A government order restoring freedom of speech and preventing censorship of free speech
Trump has said he wants to protect free speech.
Ending "weaponization of government"
Trump has said he has been persecuted more than any other president by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The Source: The Associated Press contributed this story. The information in this story also came come public statements made by President Donald Trump during his "Make America Great" victory celebration, as well as details of executive orders he signed shortly after his inauguration. This story was reported from Los Angeles.