CV NEWS FEED // President Donald Trump issued a number of executive orders on Day One of his second term in the White House. In his inaugural speech, he discussed a number of them and also outlined more executive orders that he plans to sign in his first week.
Here are ten that are of particular interest:
1. End the “weaponization of the government” against political adversaries: This directive comes after Trump explicitly decried the Biden Department of Justice and FBI targeting and prosecuting Catholics and pro-life Americans. As CatholicVote has previously reported, a leaked FBI memo showed the agency had attempted to surveil Catholic parish communities. In addition, the outgoing administration has aggressively prosecuted numerous pro-lifers, including Catholic husband and father Mark Houck, for praying and peacefully protesting outside of abortion facilities.
2. Recognition of two immutable sexes: It will be “the policy of the United States to recognize two biologically distinct sexes – male and female – an incoming White House official speaking on background told reporters Monday,” according to National Public Radio. This change impacts all government agencies, ensuring passports, visas, and employee records only recognize male and female sex designations. The same executive order also stops taxpayer money from funding “transitions” for prisoners. Lastly, it will end the “forced recitation of ‘preferred pronouns,’” as CatholicVote recently reported.
3. Recognize cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations”: The U.S. will officially label cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations,” directing the government to use the full power of law enforcement to eliminate gangs like Tren de Aragua from Venezuela and the Satanic gang MS-13. Both have been linked to heinous crimes, including the rape and murder of women and girls. This order aims to protect victims and prevent further violence.
4. Protect free speech and stop censorship: Another of Trump’s executive orders explicitly forbids government censorship and aims to ensure free speech will be protected for all citizens.
5. End Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs: This order will end all DEI programs and diversity training within the federal government. “We will forge a society that is color-blind and merit-based,” Trump stated in his speech.
6. Declare a national emergency at the southern border: Trump issued an executive order officially declaring a national emergency at the southern border. The order authorizes the deployment of additional forces, including the National Guard, to the border.
7. Clarify the military’s role, including for the protection of U.S. borders: According to the Daily Signal, another of Trump’s executive orders “will direct the U.S. military to prioritize the security of the borders through strategic planning…. These efforts will focus on repelling all invasion threats that include illegal mass immigration and criminal activity such as narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, and smuggling.”
8. Strengthen vetting and screening processes for undocumented immigrants: “Agencies will also be required to provide Trump with specific recommendations for suspending entry into the U.S. for those from nations that may pose a concern to the U.S.,” the Daily Signal reported.
9. Halting social and political policies in the military: The military will not be subjected to forced compliance with social or political theories while on duty. Under this order, Trump will also reinstate members who were unjustly removed from the military for objecting to the COVID vaccine mandate “with full back pay.”
10. Establish the External Revenue Service: The External Revenue Service will collect tariffs and taxes from foreign countries, leading to a lowering of citizens’ tax burdens.