KEY POINTS
- President Trump signs 42 executive orders and approves 115 personnel actions.
- Declares a national emergency and resumes the US-Mexico border wall.
- Issues a controversial order denying US citizenship to children of migrants.
- Withdraws from the Paris Climate Accord and cut funding for green initiatives.
- Orders US withdrawal from the WHO.
- Vows to end Russia-Ukraine war within six months.
- Rescinds sanctions on Israeli settlers and expresses skepticism about the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
- Refers to North Korea as a “nuclear power,” raising tensions with South Korea.
- Hints at a 60% tariff on Chinese goods and demands TikTok’s 50% shares sale to American entities.
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump wasted no time in his second term, signing 42 executive orders, proclamations, and memoranda, along with authorising 115 personnel actions within the first 24 hours. These decisive and often controversial steps have already begun to shape the domestic and international political landscape.
After being sworn in as US president again, Trump immediately started using his powers to act on a range of policy priorities. These covered issues from immigration and climate to pardoning people convicted for the 2021 Capitol riot.
Executive orders carry the weight of law, but can be overturned by subsequent presidents or the courts. Several of those planned by Trump face legal challenges. Meanwhile, other presidential directives like proclamations are usually not legally binding.
Immigration
President Trump declared immigration a national emergency, promising aggressive measures to secure the US-Mexico border. He announced the resumption of efforts to construct a border wall, halted during the Biden administration, and directed the military to “seal the borders” against human trafficking and drug smuggling.
Furthermore, Trump issued a controversial executive order denying citizenship to children born in the US to migrants on temporary visas or those present illegally. This order faces immediate legal challenges, as it contradicts the 14th Amendment.
Climate and energy policies
Trump has reignited his campaign against environmental regulations by signing an executive order to withdraw the US from the Paris Climate Accord for the second time. He declared a “national energy emergency” aimed at boosting oil production and replenishing reserves.
The administration also moved to halt funds for green initiatives tied to the Inflation Reduction Act and scaled back wind energy and electric vehicle projects.
Global health, WHO exit
In a repeat of his first term, Trump ordered the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), criticising its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and alleged alignment with China.
President Trump is delivering results from Day One—and he’s just getting started!
🇺🇸 42 Executive Orders, Memoranda, & Proclamations
🇺🇸 115 Personnel Actions
🇺🇸 Over 200 Executive Actions
🇺🇸 60 Minutes of Press Q&APromises Made, PROMISES KEPT. pic.twitter.com/jpRF390zgA
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 21, 2025
Public health experts warn the decision could disrupt international efforts to combat diseases like tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
Russia-Ukraine war
Trump reiterated his claim to end the Russia-Ukraine war but softened his stance by extending the timeline to six months.
In a pointed critique, Trump said Vladimir Putin was “destroying Russia by not making a deal,” signalling a harder tone against the Russian president.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov diplomatically noted that Russia respects “the choice of the American people” while sidestepping Trump’s criticism.
Middle East policy
Trump expressed skepticism about the longevity of the US, Qatar and Egypt brokered Israel-Hamas ceasefire, calling the conflict “their war, not ours.” He hinted at redevelopment opportunities for Gaza, likening it to a “phenomenal location” for investment, despite the devastation.

Reversing Biden-era sanctions, Trump rescinded penalties on Israeli settlers in the West Bank, marking a return to his pro-Israel stance.
North Korea
Tensions rose in South Korea after Trump referred to North Korea as a “nuclear power,” a term avoided by US officials to prevent legitimising the regime’s nuclear ambitions. South Korean officials reaffirmed that North Korea cannot be recognised as a nuclear state.
US-China trade war
Trump revisited his trade war playbook, hinting at a 60% tariff on Chinese goods and suggesting the US should “get half of TikTok.”
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He delayed a Biden-era law requiring TikTok’s sale to American entities, raising questions about his future approach to Chinese tech companies. China expressed cautious willingness to cooperate under principles of “mutual respect.”
European tensions
Far-right leaders from Europe attended Trump’s inauguration, including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Hungary’s Viktor Orban, both seen as Trump allies. Orban declared a “new phase” of offensive against the EU’s mainstream policies, a statement that alarmed Brussels.
Trump reiterated his demand for NATO members to double their defence contributions to 5% of GDP, stoking European fears of a diminished US commitment to the alliance.
Global reactions
From Moscow to Brussels, Trump’s second term has sent ripples across the globe. His bold moves have reinforced his image as a disruptor. Allies are cautious, adversaries are emboldened, and the global community braces for what his 1,461 days in office may bring. Trump 2.0 has begun reshaping the course of US governance and its role on the world stage.