Trump's Revenge: How His Executive Orders Disregard Democracy and Global Stability
By: H. Zaïm-Bashi
Over the past few days since Donald Trump re-entered the Oval Office after a four-year hiatus under Joe Biden’s presidency; media attention has predominantly centered on his issuance of a series of executive orders. An executive order a written directive from the president to the federal government bypasses the necessity of congressional approval often igniting intense debate due to its concentration of unilateral power in the hands of the executive.
Among the numerous executive orders signed by Trump several key actions stand out signaling his intent to rapidly reshape the direction of the U.S. government. These include an order to rescind 78 executive orders actions and directives from the Biden administration alongside an order to suspend the introduction of new regulations laws or protocols within government agencies until the new administration is fully operational. Additionally; Trump mandated that federal employees return to in-person work effectively ending telecommuting arrangements and required all departments and agencies to account for the cost of living while instituting a temporary freeze on government hiring. He also signed an order withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement demonstrating his continuing disregard for global climate initiatives.
Furthermore; Trump directed government departments to prioritize freedom of speech and combat censorship while simultaneously issuing an order to put an end to the politically motivated use of government powers against adversaries from the previous administration.
On immigration his orders imposed stringent restrictions including one revoking the citizenship rights of children born to undocumented immigrants. Trump also pardoned 1500 individuals involved in the January 2021 Capitol insurrection and issued orders to reverse key aspects of Biden's policies on artificial intelligence and electric vehicles. He further took steps to suspend U.S. foreign aid for 90 days lifted the embargo on Israeli settlers and re-designated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism. Lastly he authorized the Department of Energy to approve export licenses for liquefied natural gas and initiated the process of withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) signaling a continued retreat from multilateral global institutions.
With these initial actions Trump has laid the groundwork for an expansive agenda designed to extend U.S. territorial influence restrict immigration ramp up fossil fuel production and dismantle environmental safeguards. While some of these orders are bound to face legal challenges and others serve little more than symbolic value they undeniably signal a decisive rupture from Biden’s policies underscoring Trump’s intent to fulfill his campaign promises.
However; among the array of executive orders Trump has enacted certain directives warrant particular scrutiny. Chief among them is the re-imposition of sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC). This decision threatens to escalate tensions and could lead to Trump’s indictment as well as travel restrictions for the ICC’s 125 member states. During his first term Trump targeted ICC officials by freezing their bank accounts and imposing a travel ban on the court’s chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, in response to an investigation into alleged U.S. and Israeli war crimes. Although Biden rescinded these sanctions in 2021 Trump’s latest executive order signals a troubling revival of this conflict.
Another significant order pertains to immigration policy where Trump’s executive actions exacerbate the already stringent barriers to entry for immigrants reinforcing his administration's hardline stance on immigration. His directives concerning citizenship further intensify these restrictions solidifying his commitment to severely curtailing immigration.
Additionally; the temporary suspension and comprehensive review of U.S. foreign aid raises critical concerns. Trump has expressed that the current framework of U.S. foreign assistance is misaligned with national interests and his decision to halt aid could undermine vital humanitarian programs and development efforts in countries that rely on U.S. support.
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement is yet another stark illustration of his disregard for global efforts to combat climate change. This move not only contrasts sharply with Biden’s attempts to restore America’s leadership in the fight against global warming but also signals a retreat from multilateralism at a time when collective action is desperately needed. Likewise; his withdrawal from the World Health Organization mirrors his earlier confrontations with global institutions during the pandemic further isolating the United States from the international community.
Though these executive actions are well within the legal bounds of presidential authority they are poised to spark significant legal and political challenges. It is crucial to recognize that Trump’s worldview—shaped by an economic and business-oriented framework—stands in stark contrast to that of his predecessors. By pursuing policies that prioritize U.S. interests and security from an insular perspective Trump’s administration risks not only altering the nation’s domestic landscape but also profoundly reshaping its foreign relations and global standing.
