Trump Administration Week One: Executive Actions and Policy Announcements
January 29, 2025
Immigration
The administration is significantly expanding detention capacity at Guantanamo Bay for "high-priority criminal aliens."
The "Laken Riley Act" (S.5) mandates the detention of aliens charged with theft in the U.S.
The administration asserts that all individuals entering the U.S. illegally are criminals and subject to deportation.
The administration emphasizes a "peace through strength" approach to international relations, using sanctions and tariffs to compel cooperation on repatriation of citizens.
Increased vetting measures for refugees and visa applicants will be implemented. A potential ban on countries with "deficient screening processes" is under consideration.
Economic Policy
The administration has ordered a temporary pause on certain federal grant programs to ensure alignment with the President's policies and fiscal responsibility. Direct assistance programs (Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, welfare) are exempt.
The President has directed agencies to prioritize emergency price relief for families, deregulation, and ending the "war on American energy."
Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and potentially China are under consideration, with existing plans for sectoral tariffs on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.
Education
The administration is promoting educational choice through K-12 scholarship programs and directing federal agencies to explore using existing funds for this purpose.
Executive orders aim to end "radical indoctrination" in K-12 schools, targeting gender ideology and what the administration terms "discriminatory equity ideology." Enforcement of Title VI, Title IX, FERPA, and PPRA will be emphasized.
The President's Advisory 1776 Commission has been reestablished to promote patriotic education.
National Security and Foreign Policy
The administration is directing the development of an "Iron Dome" defense system, with studies and reports to determine implementation.
Funding for UNRWA has been ended, and the Houthis have been redesignated as a foreign terrorist organization.
Project 2025 and Citizen Rights
Many of the executive orders, policy changes, and public statements appear to align with Project 2025 goals, particularly in areas of immigration, education, and deregulation. The focus on border security, patriotic education, and a smaller federal government aligns with the project's overall aims. The specifics regarding alignment with Project 2025 would need further analysis. However, it is clear that many of the policies in this set of executive orders, policy changes, and public announcements support the broad goals of Project 2025.
The executive orders and policies on immigration significantly alter the rights and protections of non-citizens, potentially including those seeking asylum or facing deportation. Enforcement mechanisms are strengthened, and the definition of "criminal alien" has been broadened.
The education-related directives could limit the rights of students and schools to engage in certain discussions or implement diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Parental rights are emphasized, potentially at the expense of student autonomy in some areas. Enforcement would occur through federal funding mechanisms and agency oversight.