On his Inauguration Day, President Donald Trump signed more than 20 executive orders and actions—this marks the highest number by any U.S. president on their first day in office.

These orders covered various topics, including pardoning individuals involved in the January 6th, 2021, Capitol attack, attempting to halt a ban on TikTok, and withdrawing from the World Health Organization.

Trump began his presidency by undoing 78 executive orders issued by his predecessor, President Joe Biden, which aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, safeguarding federal lands from oil drilling, and lowering prescription drug costs.

In addition, several actions were aimed at immigration policies, the economy, environmental issues, and addressing gender roles, as Trump progressed on many of his commitments made for “Day 1”.

Data from the American Presidency Project at the University of California, Santa Barbara, indicates that most previous U.S. presidents did not implement **any** executive orders on their first day in office.

Of Trump’s orders, six specifically addressed immigration. In a declaration of a national border emergency, the Trump administration expressed its plans to deploy military forces to tackle illegal immigration, combat transnational gangs and drug trafficking, and initiate mass deportations of undocumented migrants, as promised.

Many of Trump’s executive orders will affect the federal government and its employees. One such order mandates that heads of departments ensure federal workers “return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis” immediately, although exceptions are permitted.

Trump also stated that the federal government only recognizes two genders – male and female.

The directive will be enforced by various government agencies, including the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, affecting passports, visas, and other official documents, as per officials incoming to the White House.

A Brief History of Executive Orders

Presidents commonly utilize executive orders to create councils and commissions, set policies for hiring or procurement across the administration, or designate days off for federal employees.

These orders are numbered and are recorded in the Federal Register. The Department of State began numbering executive orders in 1907, as noted by the American Presidency Project.

Executive orders can be repealed or modified through Congressional action, a court ruling, or another executive order.

CONTRIBUTING Lauren Villagran, Elizabeth Weise, Gregory Korte,