Donald Trump 2.0: Immigration crackdown, climate rollbacks, and a blitz of executive orders in week one

US President Donald Trump began his second term with a cascade of executive orders that seek to reshape American policies on immigration, trade, energy, and civil rights. In just three days, Trump has signed more than 50 executive orders, touching nearly every facet of American life and government operations.

The executive orders signal a return to the "America First" agenda that defined his first term, while introducing new, sweeping measures that have already sparked lawsuits, criticism from political opponents, and global concern.

Immigration

A central theme of Trump’s new term is immigration. Among his most controversial moves was an order declaring an “invasion” at the southern border, allowing his administration to mobilise military personnel for enforcement. The president invoked national security to justify using active-duty military and National Guard troops to detain and deport undocumented migrants, a decision that critics say may violate the Posse Comitatus Act.

Trump also reinstated policies from his first term, including expedited border wall construction and a ban on “catch-and-release,” which allowed some migrants to remain in the US while awaiting court proceedings.

The administration ordered the collection of DNA and biometric data from detainees and revoked parole programs for family reunifications involving immigrants from several countries, including Cuba and Venezuela.

The president’s order to redefine birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment is already facing legal challenges. The directive denies citizenship to children born in the US whose parents lack permanent legal status, a move experts say may be unconstitutional.

The 14th Amendment to the Constitution promises citizenship to those born on American soil. The measure was ratified in 1868 to ensure citizenship for former slaves after the Civil War.

On Thursday, a federal judge temporarily blocked the order, preventing the Trump administration from taking steps to implement the executive order for 14 days.

“I’ve been on the bench for over four decades. I can’t remember another case where the question presented was as clear as this one is,” US District Judge John Coughenour told a Justice Department attorney. “This is a blatantly unconstitutional order.”

Trade

Trump also directed a review of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) with the possibility of renegotiation and hinted at imposing 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods as early as next month.

The administration is also reviewing trade relations with China, with Trump reiterating his campaign promise to impose steep tariffs on Chinese goods to address trade imbalances and intellectual property concerns.

Another controversial order paused US participation in the Global Tax Deal, an international framework designed to establish a minimum corporate tax rate.

Climate action

In a sharp pivot from the climate policies of his predecessor, Trump withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement and declared a “national energy emergency,” urging the use of eminent domain to fast-track fossil fuel projects.

He also rolled back Biden-era incentives for electric vehicles, rescinded regulations on fossil fuel extraction in Alaska, and opened the Outer Continental Shelf to oil and gas development while barring wind energy leases. Environmental advocates have vowed to challenge many of these actions in court.

Civil rights

Trump directed federal agencies to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, terminated a long-standing anti-discrimination mandate for government contractors, and dissolved the White House Gender Policy Council.

The president also mandated that federal documents recognise only two genders—male and female—and barred funding for programs promoting gender ideology.

Federal workers are also facing sweeping changes. Trump froze most federal hiring, ordered all employees to return to in-person work, and reinstated policies making it easier to fire civil servants. Elon Musk, tapped to lead a newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, will oversee efforts to streamline federal agencies and cut spending.

Crime and punishment

One of Trump’s most contentious moves was granting pardons to hundreds of individuals convicted for their roles in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The president also ordered an investigation into what he called the “weaponisation” of federal agencies under Biden, targeting the Justice Department, SEC, and intelligence community.

Trump directed the attorney general to encourage states to pursue the death penalty in all eligible cases and explore reversing Supreme Court decisions that limit capital punishment.