Trump signs key executive orders, initiating drastic changes

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
21 Jan 2025 02:12
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In a fiery move, Trump signs executive orders before a crowd of 20,000 people and at the Oval Office.

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President Donald Trump signs an executive order as he attends an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event at Capital One Arena, on January 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP)

United States President Donald Trump signed a number of executive orders after addressing nearly 20,000 supporters at the Captial One Arena on Monday.

Trump, who had only been inaugurated hours earlier, said he would sign executive orders to stop 80 orders issued by the previous administration. He also said that he would pardon those arrested for the January 6, 2021 riots at the Capitol, describing those imprisoned as "hostages."

"Tonight I'm going to be signing on the J6 hostages – pardons to get them out," Trump asserted.

"As soon as I leave, I'm going to the Oval Office and will be signing pardons for a lot of people," he said.

Signed executive orders

Following the speech Trump sat at a desk in front of his supporters to sign several orders, in an unprecedented move. According to news agencies, the president approved policies to withdraw the US from the Paris climate change agreement and end "work from home" for Federal employees, among other decisions.

Trump then began to sign a series of documents when he arrived at the Oval Office. This included memorandums and policy on issues ranging from migration to the economy.

State of emergency at the southern border

Later Trump declared a "national emergency" at the US's southern border, claiming that the border is "overrun by cartels, criminal gangs, known terrorists, human traffickers, smugglers, unvetted military-age males from foreign adversaries, and illicit narcotics."

The executive order signed on the issue will allow for the allocation of personnel, including armed forces, and resources at the border, to assist the Federal government's work. Additional barriers and "unmanned aerial systems" will also be deployed in the area.

Settler terrorism

Among the decisions Trump made was rescinding US sanctions imposed by the Joe Biden administration on far-right Israeli settler groups and individuals for committing violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

The White House said that Trump rescinded Executive Order 14115 issued on February 1, 2024, which authorized sanctions on "Persons Undermining Peace."

Cuba returned to State Sponsors of Terrorism list

He also re-entered Cuba to a US list labeling countries as sponsors of terrorism, following a last-minute decision to remove the country from the list by the previous administration.

Withdrawing the US from WHO

The US president proceeded to withdraw the country from the World Health Organization (WHO), accusing the international organization of the "inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states."

75-day grace period awarded to TikTok

On the TikTok ban, Trump signed an executive order, allowing his administration 75 days to review an appropriate course of action with regard to the social media platform.

"I hereby order the Attorney General not to take any action on behalf of the United States to enforce the Act for 75 days from the date of this order, to permit my Administration an opportunity to determine the appropriate course of action with respect to TikTok," a statement released by the White House read.