In a series of sweeping actions on his first day in office, U.S. President Donald Trump fired four high-ranking officials appointed by his predecessor and signed numerous executive orders aimed at reshaping U.S. policies on immigration, climate change, and other key issues.
Trump took to Truth Social to announce the dismissal of four individuals, including Jose Andres from the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, General Mark Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, Brian Hook from the Wilson Center, and Keisha Lance Bottoms from the President’s Export Council.
He signaled that over a thousand more appointments from the previous administration were under review for removal.
His post concluded with his signature catchphrase from The Apprentice: “YOU’RE FIRED!”
The mass dismissal plan is part of Trump’s broader agenda to streamline the federal government and improve efficiency, which may also involve shutting down certain government departments.
Many government agencies are preparing for potential upheaval in the coming weeks if Trump follows through on his promises.
In addition to staff changes, Trump signed a series of executive orders that reflected his campaign promises and policy priorities. Among the most notable were orders addressing immigration and climate policy.
Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border, aimed at increasing deportations, including those he classified as “criminal aliens,” and announced a mass military-led deportation operation.
He also signed an order to revoke birthright citizenship, a move likely to face legal challenges due to its conflict with the U.S. Constitution.
On the environmental front, Trump retracted the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord, a step he had previously taken during his first term.
The move reflects his ongoing skepticism about global climate agreements, even as climate change impacts intensify worldwide.
Trump also declared a national energy emergency, signaling his intention to boost oil drilling in the U.S. and further solidifying his “drill, baby, drill” rhetoric.
Trump’s orders also targeted “woke” culture, reversing Obama-era policies promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
He repealed executive orders related to diversity in government and business, as well as LGBTQ rights, and declared that the U.S. government would officially recognize only two genders: male and female.
In a significant reversal of previous policies, Trump ordered the U.S. to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing concerns over the U.S.’s disproportionate financial contributions.
He also imposed a 75-day delay on the enforcement of a law banning the TikTok app, further escalating tensions with China.
On international matters, Trump reinstated sanctions against Israeli settlers in the West Bank, reversing a decision made by the Biden administration, and removed Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, undoing another of Biden’s recent moves.
Trump’s first day in office marked a flurry of bold moves, reaffirming many of his core political promises while signaling a continuation of his previous confrontational approach to both domestic and international issues.
