Trump’s sweeping executive orders spark global uproar

On his return to the Oval Office as the 47th president, Donald Trump wasted no time implementing sweeping changes through a flurry of executive orders.

His actions, ranging from pardoning Capitol rioters to withdrawing the U.S. from key international agreements, have sparked debate at home and abroad.

In one of his most controversial moves, Trump granted pardons and reduced sentences for over 1,500 individuals involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Within hours, two brothers sentenced just last week were released from a Washington D.C. jail. Critics, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, denounced the move as undermining justice and disrespecting those who defended democracy that day. An Ipsos poll revealed 58% of Americans disapprove of the pardons.

Trump also launched an aggressive shake-up of the federal government, firing 1,000 Biden-era appointees and revoking 80 executive orders from the previous administration. In a Truth Social post announcing the dismissals, Trump declared, “You’re fired,” reigniting his campaign mantra of “America First.”

On the international stage, Trump announced new tariffs, imposing a 25% tax on imports from Canada and Mexico and 10% on Chinese goods. These measures aim to reduce trade deficits but have already prompted warnings from global leaders. former French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne cautioned that Europe must respond or face dire consequences.

Further solidifying his return to his prior policies, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization, citing unfair financial burdens.

The U.S. was the WHO’s largest donor, contributing $15.8 billion in 2022. Trump criticized the organization as ineffective, a sentiment that has drawn international concern.

Domestically, Trump’s immigration overhaul sparked new legal challenges. His executive orders revoked birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, a move critics say violates the 14th Amendment. Trump also declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, straining decades-long diplomatic ties with Mexico.

Among other contentious policies, Trump restricted recognition of gender to male and female only, eliminating non-binary options on federal documents. Advocacy groups have vowed to challenge the order, calling it discriminatory.

Trump also created the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce federal spending, reportedly tapping billionaire Elon Musk for its leadership.

While Trump’s actions align with his “Make America Great Again” vision, legal and diplomatic hurdles loom large, with critics warning of long-term consequences for both domestic policy and international relations.