On his first day as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump made waves with a series of sweeping executive actions aimed at reshaping the federal government and addressing key campaign promises. Among the most controversial measures were the temporary suspension of a TikTok ban, the elimination of birthright citizenship, and a crackdown on immigration policies.
In a highly publicized event in the Oval Office, Trump signed an order delaying the enforcement of a ban on TikTok, a popular social media platform owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. The 75-day reprieve grants the company additional time to reach a deal to avoid U.S. sanctions. “TikTok is worthless if I don’t approve it,” Trump said during the signing, reiterating his focus on safeguarding national security concerns tied to Chinese tech companies.
Other orders reflected Trump’s campaign promises to overhaul the federal government. These included:
Ending Birthright Citizenship: A controversial move eliminating automatic U.S. citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants. Critics argue the order contradicts the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to those born on U.S. soil. Legal challenges are expected to follow.
Immigration Crackdown: Declaring a national emergency at the southern border, Trump also ended the use of the CBP One app, which previously allowed migrants to schedule appointments for legal entry. Existing appointments were canceled as part of the order.
Federal Workforce Reforms: Trump mandated all federal employees to return to office work and announced a freeze on federal hiring, citing efficiency and accountability.
Pardons Related to January 6: In a polarizing move, Trump granted full pardons and commutations to 1,500 individuals charged with crimes stemming from the January 6 Capitol attack.
Trump’s actions also included creating the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), tasked with streamlining federal operations and reducing waste.
“Today marks the start of the complete restoration of America,” Trump declared during an inaugural rally. His supporters cheered the aggressive agenda, while opponents swiftly criticized the policies as divisive and legally dubious.
Legal experts warn that several of Trump’s orders—particularly the birthright citizenship change—will face significant judicial scrutiny. Critics also condemned the January 6 pardons as undermining accountability and the rule of law.
As the new administration takes shape, Trump’s bold moves signal an aggressive approach to fulfilling campaign promises. However, with legal battles looming and public reactions divided, the path forward promises to be contentious and closely watched.
