Orders enacted are sure to impact Americans and the world, from DEI to the environment.

Since his inauguration on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump has enacted a series of executive orders that significantly altered U.S. domestic and foreign policies. These orders have sparked widespread debate and legal challenges, reflecting the contentious nature of his administration’s agenda.

One of Trump’s orders was to terminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government and the U.S. Armed Forces. An executive order mandated the cessation of all DEI activities, aiming to “promote meritocracy and eliminate race-based and sex-based discrimination,” the Holland and Knight Law Firm said. This move included abolishing DEI offices and directing the Secretary of Defense to review existing practices for potential discriminatory elements.

Trump is also looking to change the climate around gender acceptance. In a significant policy shift, President Trump announced that the federal government would officially recognize only “two genders: male and female.” This decision will reverse previous policies that acknowledged a spectrum of gender identities, continuing to impact DEI programs and other various federal programs and protections.

The administration has taken steps to roll back environmental regulations implemented by the Biden administration. An executive order was issued to reverse the transition from plastic to paper straws within federal operations, citing concerns over the effectiveness of paper alternatives. 

“Back to plastic!” President Trump said in a Truth Social post. “Let’s end the ridiculous Biden push for paper straws, which don’t work.”

In a separate post, Trump added that Biden’s “mandate” for paper straws was dead: “Enjoy your next drink without a straw that disgustingly dissolves in your mouth!!!”

This action is part of a broader effort to dismantle environmental policies perceived as burdensome to businesses.

However, Trump isn’t just focusing on domestic policies. He’s also working to change the relationship between the U.S. and foreign countries.

The administration has aggressively pursued changes in immigration policy. Notably, an executive order issued on Jan. 20 sought to end birthright citizenship for certain individuals born in the United States. This order has been challenged in court on constitutional grounds, with critics arguing that it contradicts established legal precedents. 

President Trump has also announced his plans to impose 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, including those from Canada and Mexico. Additionally, he has proposed “reciprocal tariffs” on various countries, aiming to address trade imbalances. These moves have prompted concerns about potential trade wars and their impact on global economic stability. 

The administration’s rapid implementation of executive orders has led to significant legal challenges. Federal judges have blocked several policies, including attempts to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and freeze federal grants. In an interview with The Guardian, legal experts who chose to remain anonymous warned that “these actions pose a direct threat to democratic norms and the rule of law.”

The Guardian has also learned that a group of inspectors general are expected to file a lawsuit challenging their dismissals by Trump and are “in talks with law firms,” according to a source familiar with the matter.

Reactions to these executive orders have been mixed. Supporters argue that President Trump is correcting what they perceive as radical policies implemented by previous administrations. 

“President Trump is not the radical–he’s simply undoing radical things Democrats did,” Isaac Schorr wrote in an opinion piece for the New York Post.

Conversely, critics assert that these orders undermine civil rights and democratic institutions. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights has expressed concern that the administration’s actions are unraveling progress toward a more equitable and inclusive society.

A Reagan-appointed judge has already blocked Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional.”

As President Trump’s second term progresses, the nation remains deeply divided over the direction of federal policies. The ongoing legal battles and public debates highlight the controversial nature of the administration’s agenda and its profound impact on the country’s political and social landscape.

Article by Jada Jones