Former president Joe Biden stepped down as President Donald John Trump was inaugurated on Monday in the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., marking the start of his second term in office.
Trump immediately began signing executive orders that would initiate mass deportations, extend the TikTok ban, and end birthright citizenship among others while making various controversial statements such as those regarding gender and immigration. These have been met with various responses by American citizens sparking debates nationally.
According to AP News, an independent news organization dedicated to providing factual information, during Trump’s second Inaugural Address in the Oval Office, he rejected Biden’s claim that the country would turn into an oligarchy where a small wealthy group of people have control of an area or organization.
Then according to ABC News, a daily evening newscast, Trump signed an order that would withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) within a 12-month period. Within the executive order, he accused WHO of mismanaging the COVID-19 pandemic and being politically influenced by other nations, which could pose potential risks for America.
The United States is WHO’s biggest financial contributor, so some supporters point out that this can help America retain more of its money for other uses but this could also pose potential risks for the agency’s health emergency programs and for American citizens who could lose access to information on potential diseases and risk disruptions in health treatments.
“World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. It’s not going to happen anymore,” stated Trump in ABC News’ article “Public health experts worry about implications of Trump withdrawing US from WHO: ‘An enormous mistake’”
Along with withdrawing from WHO, Trump removed the U.S. from the Paris Agreement treaty for the second time. He had also done this during his first term but Biden returned the U.S. to the treaty. The treaty seeks to strengthen the global response to the harms of climate change.
According to AP News, Trump’s motivation for leaving the Paris Agreement has to do with the treaty’s intention to reduce the effects of global warming, which contradicts what he claims are the United States’ values. The withdrawal has left some citizens concerned about the effects of climate change and the government not aiding in attempts to solve the issue.
Trump then signed an immigration related executive order that would restrict immigration into the United States or allow for the deportation of undocumented immigrants in the country. According to the White House’s official website, Trump allegedly also plans to sign an executive order that would remove birth-right citizenship, especially for those born in the United States with immigrant parents, despite being born on American soil. According to Cato Institute, a public policy research organization, supporters claim that immigration removes job opportunities and lowers wages for Americans. However the order simply would not be possible as it would likely be ruled unconstitutional according to the 14th amendment which states:
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States…”.
According to Politico, a digital newspaper company that is known for their coverage on politics, Trump went on to sign an executive order that pardoned about 1,500 people involved in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The order essentially granted the culprits mercy and was done so because Trump felt that the sentences given to the people were too severe compared to severe criminals such as murderers who get lighter sentences for their crimes. Some Republicans or officers present at the attack felt those pardoned with the order did not deserve to be defended for their actions.
As of January 21, Trump has presented the country with 20 core promises he plans to fulfill during his presidency, as listed on his website:
- ENDING INFLATION, AND MAKING AMERICA AFFORDABLE AGAIN
- DEFENDING OUR CONSTITUTION, OUR BILL OF RIGHTS, AND OUR FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS, INCLUDING FREEDOM OF SPEECH, FREEDOM OF RELIGION, AND THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS
- FIGHTING FOR AND PROTECTING SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE WITH NO CUTS, INCLUDING NO CHANGES TO THE RETIREMENT AGE
Along with improving the country, some controversial promises include:
- CUTTING FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ANY SCHOOL PUSHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY, RADICAL GENDER IDEOLOGY, AND OTHER INAPPROPRIATE RACIAL, SEXUAL, OR POLITICAL CONTENT ON OUR CHILDREN
- KEEPING MEN OUT OF WOMEN’S SPORTS
Trump has also brought in a controversial cabinet to stand alongside him, including pick for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, pick for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, pick for the Department of Health Robert Francis Kennedy, Jr., pick for Education Secretary Linda McMahon, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk who serves as Administrator of the Department of Government Efficiency. In celebration of the inauguration, he performed an alleged Nazi salute, contributing to the questions raised by citizens even though he claimed it was a gesture made in celebration. Musk responded to the people outraged by his actions.
“Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The “everyone is Hitler” attack is sooo tired,” said Musk via X.
The country has yet to see how these promises and executive orders will shape the future of the nation. Until then or unless something interferes with his presidential term, Trump will be the president of the United States and the commander in chief of the military for the next four years.
