Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Follow Us:
Top Stories

Trump takes first steps to enact his sweeping agenda

Trump takes first steps to enact his sweeping agenda

President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on January 20, 2025.

(JIM WATSON/GETTY IMAGES)

On his first day in office as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump began to implement his agenda for reshaping the nation's institutions.

He signed a flurry of executive orders, memorandums, and proclamations.


Here are five notable Trump’s Day 1 actions:

Evening Shot of Border Wall Between El Paso Texas USA and Juárez Chihuahua Texas at Puerto Anapra with US Border Patrol Vehicle in the Distance Getty Images//Stock Photo

1. Immigration

President Trump issued an executive order regarding birthright citizenship, which restricts federal agencies from issuing certain documents typically available to U.S. citizens.

This order affects children born after the measure takes effect, particularly in cases where the parents are unlawfully present in the U.S., or the mother is temporarily in the U.S. on a visa, and the father is a noncitizen.

Logo of the World Health Organization WHO with the WHO headquarters in the background in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Lian Yi/Xinhua via Getty Images)

2. Withdrawal from WHO

Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), marking a substantial decision to sever ties with the U.N. public health agency. He has previously criticized the WHO, and the formal withdrawal process had begun during his administration amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Jan. 6 investigation goes primetime Brent Stirton/Getty Images

3. Pardons related to January 6

In a significant move, President Trump pardoned nearly all individuals convicted in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack, which includes about 1,270 people.

He also directed the Justice Department to dismiss approximately 300 pending cases and ordered the release of a smaller group of 14 defendants involved in the most serious sedition cases.

This action was more extensive than many expected, including some of Trump’s own advisors and GOP allies.

Sun, Global warming, Global boiling from the climate crisis and the catastrophic heatwave, Climate change, the sun and burning Heatwave hot sun Getty Images/Stock Photo

4. Paris Agreement Exit

President Donald Trump signed an executive action to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, mirroring his decision during his first term. The Paris Agreement is an international accord to address climate change, with nearly 200 countries committed to limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius and ideally below 1.5 degrees.

Each participating country is responsible for creating its own plan to meet these climate goals.

Joe Biden speaking in PennsylvaniaThe speech Joe Biden won’t give Anadolu/Getty Images

5. Biden-era executive orders revoked

Trump revoked several executive actions from the Biden administration, including the decision to remove Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, sanctions on Jewish settlers in the West Bank, and measures aimed at mitigating risks associated with artificial intelligence.

These reversals were part of a larger effort to overturn Biden-era policies and were signed at Capitol One Arena shortly after Trump's inauguration.

Trump reportedly intended to sign as many as 200 executive orders on the first day of his second term. By comparison, he signed one order on Inauguration Day 2017.

Hugo Balta is the executive editor of the Fulcrum, and the publisher of the Latino News Network.


Read More

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services envelope
Honor migrants’ quest for a better life
Evgenia Parajanian/Getty Images

Exploring New Pathways to Citizenship: Renewing the Immigration Act Registry Statute

Background

Since the introduction of the visa quota system under the Immigration Act of 1990, average wait times for visas have doubled from 2.8 years to 5.6 years. With the backlog reaching a record high of 11.3 million in 2025, at least 675,000 would-be immigrants are expected to die while awaiting their visa approval. Consequently, analyses of current pathways to citizenship and possible reformation continue to spark public and Congressional action.

Keep ReadingShow less
Person's hands holding prison bars
America is guilty of over-incarceration
Victor de Schwanberg/Science Photo Library/Getty Images

Constitutional Democracy Requires That Prisoners No Longer Be Treated Like Slaves

When the United States added the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution in 1865, it ended slavery but left a loophole, which allowed involuntary servitude to continue “as a punishment for crime.” Today, state constitutions in places like Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, and Mississippi still contain a similar provision.

For example, Article I, Section 37 of Indiana’s Constitution prohibits slavery or “involuntary servitude, within the State, otherwise than for the punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.” Article I, Section 9 of the Michigan Constitution says: “Neither slavery, nor involuntary servitude unless for the punishment of crime, shall ever be tolerated in this state.”

Keep ReadingShow less
President Trump speaks in Rome to endorse Clay Fuller, protestors demonstrate outside rally

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) looks on Republican congressional candidate, Clay Fuller speaks at the Coosa Steel Corporation on February 19, 2026 in Rome, Georgia. Trump delivered remarks on the economy and affordability as the state has started voting to replace the seat vacated by former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

President Trump speaks in Rome to endorse Clay Fuller, protestors demonstrate outside rally

Following his endorsement of Clay Fuller for Majorie Taylor Greene’s former house seat, President Donald Trump spoke about the economy, allegations of voter fraud and his support for Fuller at the Coosa Steel Corporation in Rome on Thursday.

Fuller is one of 13 remaining Republicans vying for the 14th congressional district seat but is the only candidate to receive Trump’s influential endorsement. He said his experience was the reason Trump endorsed him.

Keep ReadingShow less
​President Donald Trump and other officials in the Oval office.

President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Washington, before signing a spending bill that will end a partial shutdown of the federal government.

Alex Brandon, Associated Press

Trump Signs Substantial Foreign Aid Bill. Why? Maybe Kindness Was a Factor

Sometimes, friendship and kindness accomplish much more than threats and insults.

Even in today’s Washington.

Keep ReadingShow less