After The Fact

President Trump's Second Inaugural Actions

January 20, 2025

President Trump, in his second inaugural address, outlines a series of executive orders and policy directives aimed at restoring "American greatness." Key themes include border security, energy independence, economic revitalization, government reform, and a return to traditional values. These actions represent a significant shift in policy direction, with substantial implications for various government agencies, American citizens, and international relations. The "America First" agenda is central to many of these directives. Many of the directives undo actions taken by the Biden administration and are in support of Project 2025 goals.

Immigration and Border Security

Declares a national emergency at the southern border, ordering the halt of all illegal entry, the return of "criminal aliens," reinstatement of the "Remain in Mexico" policy, an end to "catch and release," deployment of troops to the border, designation of cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, and invocation of the Alien Enemies Act.

Suspends refugee resettlement, citing strain on communities. Future refugee admissions will be evaluated based on national interest, with state and local jurisdictions given a greater role in resettlement decisions.

Restricts birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to mothers who were unlawfully present or whose presence was lawful but temporary, unless the father is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. This applies to births after 30 days from the order's date.

Strengthens vetting and screening for all aliens seeking admission or already present in the U.S., focusing on those from high-risk regions. Directs the identification of countries with deficient information, potentially leading to suspensions on admissions from those countries.

Energy and Environmental Policy

Declares a national energy emergency, directing agencies to use emergency authorities to increase domestic energy production, including exploration and production on Federal lands and waters. Restarts reviews of liquified natural gas (LNG) export projects, prioritizing economic and security impacts.

Withdraws the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord and revokes the electric vehicle mandate, citing consumer choice and support for the auto industry.

Temporarily withdraws all areas on the Outer Continental Shelf from offshore wind leasing, pending review of leasing and permitting practices for wind projects.

Directs the restart of efforts to route more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to other parts of California, prioritizing human needs over environmental concerns.

Unleashes Alaska's resource potential by reversing restrictions on resource development on Federal and State lands. Prioritizes LNG development, including the Alaska LNG Project.

Government Reform and Accountability

Freezes bureaucrat hiring, except in essential areas, to counter the growth of "DEI activists." Pauses "burdensome and radical regulations" and announces rescissions of numerous executive orders.

Orders all Federal employees to return to in-person work, with agency heads granted authority for necessary exemptions.

Reinstates Schedule F (renamed Schedule Policy/Career), allowing for easier removal of Federal employees in policy-influencing positions.

Establishes the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to modernize Federal technology and software.

Revokes security clearances of 51 former intelligence officials who allegedly interfered in the 2020 election and John Bolton for publishing classified information in his memoir.

Ends all government censorship and directs the Attorney General to investigate past censorship activities.

Directs the Attorney General to investigate past "weaponization" of law enforcement and intelligence agencies against political opponents.

Economic and Trade Policy

Announces an "America First Trade Policy," directing reviews of trade deficits, unfair trade practices, and the impact of trade agreements, with the goal of protecting American workers and businesses.

Directs agencies to implement emergency price relief measures to address the cost-of-living crisis, focusing on housing, healthcare, appliances, and energy costs.

Declares that the OECD Global Tax Deal has no force or effect in the U.S. without Congressional approval and directs an investigation into discriminatory foreign tax practices.

Social and Cultural Policy

Establishes male and female as the only two biological sexes, directing agencies to use accurate language and policies that recognize this biological reality. Requires government-issued identification documents to reflect an individual's biological sex and prohibits Federal funding for gender ideology.

Restores the name "Mount McKinley" and renames the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America."

Promotes "beautiful Federal civic architecture" that respects regional, traditional, and classical heritage.

Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice

Seeks the death penalty for heinous crimes, including those against law enforcement officers and illegal immigrants who commit violent crimes against Americans.

Grants pardons and commutations for individuals convicted of offenses related to the January 6, 2021 events at the U.S. Capitol.

Foreign Policy and National Security

Directs the State Department to implement an "America First" foreign policy, prioritizing American interests. Re-evaluates and realigns U.S. foreign aid to ensure consistency with this policy.

Withdraws the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Temporarily pauses enforcement of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act regarding TikTok, pending a national security review.

Clarifies the military's role in protecting U.S. borders and assigns USNORTHCOM the mission to seal the borders and maintain sovereignty, including repelling "unlawful mass migration" and other criminal activities.

Last updated at 2/7/2025 10:43 PM

- After The Fact Editorial Team