We are now one full month into the new Trump administration, and it’s been a whirlwind of news coming out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The president has been in the media for his numerous executive orders–and controversies–that have taken place in the last 31 days. These are some of the executive orders signed since Donald Trump came back to the White House.
Assassination Files Declassified with Executive order 14176
On January 23, President Trump signed an order declassifying all records of the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy Sr., and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On the White House’s official website the president said, “Their families and the American people deserve transparency and truth. It is in the national interest to finally release all records related to these assassinations without delay.” It went on to say that the records of these assassinations should be released by either the Attorney General Pam Bondi or the Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard within 45 days after the signing of the order, so by March 9, 2025. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna of Florida also leads the Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets in the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. Luna said on the declassification, “As we work to understand the full scope of federal documents related to key national secrets, we are preparing for the Task Force’s first hearing on March 26, which will examine the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.”
Executive Order on the Southern Border
The day President Trump took office, he signed an executive order titled “Securing Our Borders”. The order would establish a physical wall on the border, deter the entry of illegal immigrants into the country, detain the maximal amount of illegal immigrants authorized by law, and deport illegal immigrants who enter or remain in violation of federal law. This bill covers a lot of different issues, but it’s all intended to crackdown on the influx of illegal migration across the border, and so far it’s worked. Customs and Border Protection reported an 85% decline in apprehensions at the southern border from January 21-January 31 this year, compared to the same time last year.
Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization
As promised on the campaign trail, President Trump signed a bill expanding access to and lowering the cost of in vitro fertilization on February 19. In the order President Trump says, “In vitro fertilization (IVF) offers hope to men and women experiencing fertility challenges. Americans need reliable access to IVF and more affordable treatment options, as the cost per cycle can range from $12,000 to $25,000. Providing support, awareness, and access to affordable fertility treatments can help these families navigate their path to parenthood with hope and confidence.” However Trump’s former vice president Mike Pence and other pro-life Christian activists decried this executive order, calling it “anti-family”, and the website Reproductive Freedom for All labeled it a “PR stunt”. This order may have been the most controversial of the new administration so far.
Combating Anti-Semitism
In response to the rise of anti-semitism amid the Israel-Gaza conflict, President Trump signed an order to address anti-semitism and hate crimes against Jews, specifically in colleges and universities. The order would encourage Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate civil rights violations at universities, identifying relevant authorities, and deporting international college students who are identified as illegal immigrants who participate in hate crimes and harassment against Jewish students on university campuses.
Tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
In addition to the immigration orders he signed, Trump also put 10% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports to “hold [them] accountable to their promises” of stopping illegal immigration and foreign drug smuggling. Trump also issued a 25% tariff on Chinese goods, as he said the Chinese government “failed to take the actions necessary to stem the flow of precursor chemicals to known criminal cartels and shut down money laundering by transnational criminal organizations.” Simply put, until these countries meet Trump’s standard of curbing international cartels and gangs, the tariffs will stay. But in Mexico and Canada, the respective leaders Claudia Sheinbaum and Justin Trudeau have already given in and supplied the US borders with thousands of armed soldiers. China’s tariffs remain in effect.
To conclude, we must remember that these are all the things happening in just one month. In 30 days, the president has taken action to keep his promises on immigration, reproductive healthcare, tariffs and all his other several campaign promises. Since being inaugurated, Trump has signed more executive orders in a one-month span than all his predecessors combined going back to Ronald Reagan. But there is still much work that needs to be done. An unconditional ceasefire to the Israel-Gaza and Russia-Ukraine wars must be negotiated. The national debt needs to be addressed. Wasteful spending in the government must be cut. Inflation needs to keep dropping. So much more needs to, and can be done in the next four years. If progress continues to be made, his already-record high approval rating will continue to climb, and life in America will continue to be made easier, safer and freer.
