Six Trump Executive Orders to Watch

Donald Trump signed ambitious executive orders upon his return to the US presidency, promising rapid action on some of his key campaign issues.

Among the directives that have received the most publicity are cracking down on immigration and rolling back some climate-friendly policies.

But even presidential powers have their limits – and in some cases, he faces obstacles before his plans can become a reality.

By Bernd Debusmann Jr, at the White House

What does the order say?

The order claims the cartels have “engaged in a campaign of violence and terror” across the hemisphere and have flooded the United States with crime, posing a risk to U.S. national security.

Additionally, the order states that it is U.S. policy to “ensure the total elimination” of these groups in the United States. It gives U.S. agencies 14 days to make recommendations on which groups to designate and be prepared to expedite the removal of individuals from the United States.

What are the obstacles?

Designating a cartel as a terrorist group could open the door to lawsuits against U.S. citizens or even legitimate businesses that are linked in some way to these groups. The designation could also strain relations with countries like Mexico, which has strongly called for respect for its sovereignty.

What is the potential impact?

On the one hand, the designation of these groups as foreign terrorist organizations could ultimately be used to justify military action against targets in Mexico or other countries in which similar groups operate.

The designation could also lead the U.S. federal government to devote more resources and improved legal tools to combat cartels and other gangs, and attack their business and financial interests on both sides of the border.

Although it would make it a crime to “materially support” these groups, it remains unclear exactly what that might mean. In theory, this could mean that drug traffickers and users, including U.S. citizens, could be charged with aiding terrorists — just like U.S. citizens or businesses at the border who are extorted to pay them.

By Nadine Yousif, Toronto

What does the order say?

The executive order calls on the US ambassador to the UN to “immediately” submit a formal written request to withdraw from the Paris agreement.

He says the deal does not reflect the country’s values ​​or its economic and environmental goals.

What are the obstacles?

Any country can withdraw from the global climate pact, but UN regulations mean a country’s withdrawal process can be prolonged.

Trump announced his intention to step down during his last term in 2017, but this was not officially finalized until 2020. This time we can expect another waiting period of at least one year.

President Joe Biden joined shortly after taking office in 2021.

What is the potential impact?

The United States is responsible for about 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it the second largest polluter behind China. This undermines the global effort to limit emissions.

Its withdrawal in the past has raised questions of trust in climate leadership and questions about the effectiveness of the deal itself.

The withdrawal is also in line with Trump’s goal of boosting domestic oil and gas production, even though the United States is already the world’s largest producer of both products. It’s one of several Trump reversals on environmental protections that have been adopted by the Biden administration.

By Jake Horton, BBC Check

What does the order say?

This order seeks to end the birthright of children born in the United States to immigrant parents residing illegally in the country, as well as those born to parents temporarily residing in the country.

The administration is reportedly enforcing the order by refusing to provide documents, such as passports, to people it deems ineligible for citizenship.

What are the obstacles?

The principle of birthright citizenship is enshrined in the American Constitution. The 14th Amendment states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States” are citizens of the United States.

Legal challenges are already underway: one claims the order is “unconstitutional and violates fundamental American values.”

“Ultimately it will be decided by the courts. This is not something (Trump) can decide alone,” Saikrishna Prakash, a constitutional lawyer, told the BBC.

What is the potential impact?

Trump has threatened mass deportations, which could include those whose birthright citizenship is revoked if he succeeds in enforcing this executive action.

The court cases may ultimately have to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, which could take a long time.

By Dominic Hughes, health correspondent

What does the order say?

The order said the United States was withdrawing “due to the organization’s mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Trump’s long-standing antipathy toward the WHO is rooted in the perception that it was dominated by — and so lenient toward — China, which the president has long believed was responsible for the spread of the virus.

It also mentions the “unfairly onerous payments” the United States made to the WHO.

What are the obstacles?

This is the second time Trump has ordered the United States to withdraw from the WHO. He began the process and Biden later reversed the decision after taking office.

The U.S. exit won’t take effect until 2026 at the earliest, but it will require congressional approval.

On paper, the Republicans have a majority in both houses of Congress. But their numerical advantage is slim, and it would only take a few Republican defectors to potentially block this decision.

What is the potential impact?

“Catastrophic”, “disastrous”, “damaging” is how some global public health experts describe it.

Among the 196 member states, the United States is by far the largest individual donor, contributing nearly a fifth of the WHO’s total budget.

It is possible that funding could disappear almost overnight, which could impact WHO’s ability to respond to emergencies.

Some scientists also worry that it leaves the United States isolated when it comes to access to programs such as pandemic preparedness and sequencing of seasonal flu strains, which are used to develop annual flu vaccines.

This could ultimately harm the health of Americans and the national interest of the United States.

Some believe that the United States’ withdrawal could prompt further reforms to the functioning of the WHO, to make it a body that would better meet the public health needs of people around the world.

By Jake Horton, BBC Check

What does the order say?

The order calls for the Gulf of Mexico to be “officially renamed the Gulf of America.”

Trump can change the name of the Gulf on official US government documents.

This has already happened in some documents, including in a weather update from Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, which refers to “an area of ​​low pressure moving across the Gulf of America.”

What are the obstacles?

Trump cannot force other countries or companies to change their names.

For example, it is currently still labeled Gulf of Mexico on Google Maps.

What is the potential impact?

There is no formal international agreement for the naming of maritime zones – although there is a body that seeks to resolve disputes if they arise.

Mexico could therefore raise a formal dispute and allies of the United States and Mexico could find themselves caught in a diplomatic feud between the two countries.

In response to the order, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the United States could call it the “Gulf of America,” but that would not change what Mexico and the rest of the world call it.

By Ben Chu and Lucy Gilder, BBC Verify

What does the order say?

“The policy of the United States is to recognize two sexes, male and female. These sexes are not changeable and are based on a fundamental and incontestable reality,” he says, adding that the federal government will use the term sex and no gender.

President Trump’s team argues that requiring transgender people in government establishments and workplaces to be referred to by pronouns corresponding to their gender identity violates the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment free speech and of religion.

States like Kansas and Montana have already legislated a biological definition of sex into law.

What are the obstacles?

There will likely be legal challenges.

The Human Rights Campaign, which represents LGBTQ+ people, said “we will fight these harmful provisions with everything we have.”

These challenges could go all the way to the United States Supreme Court, which, with its conservative majority, could rule in favor of Trump.

What is the potential impact?

Prisons and places such as refuges for migrants and rape victims would be segregated by gender under the plans, which campaigners say would help protect women. But transgender rights groups say transgender women could be at increased risk of violence.

Official identification documents, including passports and visas, should indicate whether the individual is a “male” or a female. US citizens will no longer be able to select “X” as their third option.