Guide to Trump's Executive Orders

The new presidential administration hit the ground running, issuing more than 40 executive orders on the first day, and more following almost daily, signaling substantial shifts in federal policies that will impact business operations. At Nixon Peabody, we are carefully tracking these new developments to provide our clients with timely and actionable insights. As these policy changes unfold, we offer strategic advice to navigate the evolving landscape, prioritize risk management, and drive profitability. 

Continue reading for a brief summary of each executive order and how to prepare for these changes.

Overview of Trump's executive orders

• Implementing The President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Workforce Optimization Initiative (Feb 11, 2025)—Aims to enhance accountability and efficiency within the federal bureaucracy by mandating a hiring ratio to reduce the workforce, initiating RIFs, recommending new suitability criteria for federal employment, and proposing agency reorganization plans. Learn more.
• Adjusting Imports of Aluminum into The United States (Feb 11, 2025)—Reinstates tariff on aluminum imports. Learn more.
• Pausing Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Enforcement to Further American Economic and National Security (Feb 10, 2025)—Requires review and potential revision of the enforcement of the FCPA and pauses new FCPA investigations during this review. Learn more.
• Adjusting Imports of Steel into The United States (Feb 10, 2025)—Reinstates tariff on steel imports. Learn more.
• Ending Procurement and Forced Use of Paper Straws (Feb 10, 2025)—Implements a policy to end the use of paper straws and develop a national strategy to support this policy within 45 days. Learn more.
• Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies (Feb 10, 2025)—Directs heads of executive departments and agencies to review all funding that agencies provide to NGOs. Learn more.
• Amendment to Duties Addressing the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China (Feb 10, 2025)—Amends previous EO to end duty-free treatment for certain synthetic opioid-related articles from China once systems are in place to collect applicable tariffs. Learn more.
• Protecting Second Amendment Rights (Feb 10, 2025)—Orders the attorney general to review and address any prior regulations, actions, and litigation that allegedly infringe on Second Amendment rights. Learn more.
Establishment of The White House Faith Office (Feb 10, 2025)—Establishes the White House Faith Office to enable faith-based entities to compete for and receive federal funding. Learn more.
• Addressing Egregious Actions of The Republic of South Africa (Feb 10, 2025)—Ceases aid to South Africa and promotes the resettlement of Afrikaner landowners. Learn more.
• Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court (Feb 6, 2025)—Places economic and travel sanctions on ICC officials and employees investigating citizens of the US and its allies, particularly Israel. Learn more.
• Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias (Feb 6, 2025)—Establishes Task Force to identify and rectify “anti-Christian bias” in government practices and protect religious freedoms. Learn more.
• Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports (Feb 5, 2025)—Denies federal funds to any elementary, secondary, and post-secondary institutions that allow transgender athletes to play on girls’ teams, claiming they are in violation of Title IX. Learn more.
• National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-2 (Feb 4, 2025)—Memorandum to certain department heads affirming goal to impose maximum pressure on Iran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons, counter its support for terrorism, and neutralize regional aggression. Learn more. 
• Withdrawing the United States from and Ending Funding to Certain United Nations Organizations and Reviewing United States Support to All International Organizations (Feb 4, 2025)—Orders the US to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council, review its membership in UNESCO, and cease funding to UNRWA. Learn more. 
• Progress on the Situation at Our Northern Border (Feb 3, 2025)—Pauses tariffs placed on Canada until March 4, 2025, to assess Canada's recent cooperative actions. Learn more. 
• A Plan For Establishing A United States Sovereign Wealth Fund (Feb 3, 2025)—Orders the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund to promote the long-term financial health and international leadership of the US, to be developed and managed by the Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of Commerce. It will include funding mechanisms, investment strategies, and legal considerations, and must be submitted within 90 days. Learn more. 
• Progress on the Situation at Our Southern Border (Feb 3, 2025)—Pauses tariffs on Mexican until March 4, 2025, to assess Mexico's recent cooperative actions. Learn more. 
• Imposing Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border (Feb 1, 2025)—Imposes tariffs on Canadian products to address the influx of illicit drugs from Canada. Learn more.
• Imposing Duties to Address the Situation at Our Southern Border (Feb 1, 2025)—Imposes tariffs on Mexican products to address the influx of illegal aliens and illicit drugs from Mexico. Learn more.
• Imposing Duties to Address the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China (Feb 1, 2025)—Imposes tariffs on Chinese products to address the influx of synthetic opioids from China. Learn more.
• Limiting Lame-Duck Collective Bargaining Agreements That Improperly Attempt to Constrain the New President (Jan 31, 2025)—Memorandum directing the heads of executive departments and agencies to nullify collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) made in the 30 days before a new administration takes office. Learn more.
• Immediate Assessment of Aviation Safety (Jan 30, 2025)—Memorandum directing the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to review hiring decisions and changes to safety protocols made during the prior 4 years, and to take corrective action as necessary to advance aviation safety. Learn more.
• Expanding Migrant Operations Center at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to Full Capacity (Jan 29, 2025)—Memorandum directing the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide additional detention space for criminal aliens and address immigration enforcement needs. Learn more.
• Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling (Jan 29, 2025)—Mandates the enforcement of laws to prevent indoctrination in K-12 schools, protect parental rights, and promote patriotic education. Learn more. 
• Expanding Education Freedom and Opportunity for Families (Jan 29, 2025)—Directs various departments to issue guidance and plans within specified timeframes on how states can use federal funds and grants to support alternatives to public K-12 schools. Learn more.
• Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism (Jan 29, 2025)—Mandates federal agencies to report on measures and legal actions to address anti-Semitic harassment and violence, emphasizing the protection of Jewish students. Learn more. 
• Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation (Jan 28, 2025)—Prohibits federal funding and support for medical interventions aimed at changing a child's sex/gender, and mandates review and amendment of policies and defunding of related medical practices. Learn more. 
• The Iron Dome for America (Jan 27, 2025)—Orders development and deployment of a missile defense shield to protect the United States from advanced aerial threats. Learn more. 
• Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness (Jan 27, 2025)—Revokes previous policies allowing gender identity-based accommodations and mandates excluding transgender/nonbinary individuals from service due to medical, surgical, and mental health constraints. Learn more.
• Restoring America’s Fighting Force (Jan 27, 2025)—Eliminates race-based and sex-based discrimination within the Armed Forces, abolishes DEI offices, and prohibits the promotion of divisive concepts and gender ideology. Learn more. 
• Reinstating Service Members Discharged Under the Military’s Covid-19 Vaccination Mandate (Jan 27, 2025)—Orders reinstatement of military personnel discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, with full restoration of rank, pay, and benefits. Learn more. 
• Enforcing the Hyde Amendment (Jan 24, 2025)—Reaffirms the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the use of Federal taxpayer dollars for elective abortions. Learn more.
• Memorandum for the Secretary of State the Secretary of Defense the Secretary of Health and Human Services the Administrator of the United States for International Development (Jan 24, 2025)—Revokes former President Biden’s January 28, 2021 Memorandum “Protecting Women’s Health at Home and Abroad,” and reinstates Trump’s January 23, 2017 Memorandum titled “The Mexico City Policy,” which blocks federal funding for NGOs that provide abortion counseling or referrals, abortion services, or advocacy. Learn more. 
• Emergency Measures to Provide Water Resources in California and Improve Disaster Response in Certain Areas (Jan 24, 2025)—Ensures adequate water resources for Southern California and overrides state policies that hinder firefighting efforts. Also mandates federal agencies to expedite housing and debris removal for displaced families, review California's land and water management practices, and take actions to improve disaster preparedness and response. Learn more. 
• Council to Assess the Federal Emergency Management Agent (Jan 24, 2025)—Orders a review of FEMA's effectiveness and impartiality in disaster response and requests establishment of a Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council. Learn more.
• Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology (Jan 23, 2025)—Supports the responsible growth of digital assets, prohibits the establishment of Central Bank Digital Currencies, revokes previous related orders, and establishes a working group to propose regulatory frameworks and evaluate the creation of a national digital asset stockpile. Learn more.
• Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence (Jan 23, 2025)—Mandates creation of an AI action plan and the review and revision of policies inconsistent with this goal, and revokes existing policies that hinder innovation. Learn more.
• Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation (Jan 21, 2025)—Orders the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administrator to rescind DEI initiatives. Learn more.
• Ending Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity (Jan 21, 2025)—Revokes previous executive actions promoting DEI, and mandates federal agencies to enforce civil rights laws and eliminate DEI policies that constitute illegal discrimination. Learn more. 
• Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness (Jan 20, 2025)—Mandates reinstating the name "Mount McKinley" and renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America;" directs the US Board on Geographic Names to review and potentially replace appointees to align with this policy. Learn more.
• Designating Cartels And Other Organizations As Foreign Terrorist Organizations And Specially Designated Global Terrorists (Jan 20, 2025)—Establishes a process to designate international cartels and other transnational organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations or Specially Designated Global Terrorists, and mandates immediate actions by various government departments to implement these designations and prepare for the removal of designated individuals. Learn more.
• Reforming The Federal Hiring Process And Restoring Merit To Government Service (Jan 20, 2025)—Mandates the development of a Federal Hiring Plan to attract highly skilled individuals dedicated to American ideals, improve recruitment, reduce hiring times, and integrate modern technology, while preventing discrimination based on race, sex, or religion. Learn more.
• Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing (Jan 20, 2025)—Mandates the termination of all diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and related programs within the Federal Government, emphasizing a shift towards policies that reward individual merit and performance. It requires federal agencies to dismantle DEI initiatives, report on their previous DEI activities, and align their practices with the principle of equal dignity and respect for all individuals. Learn more. 
• Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government (Jan 20, 2025)—Mandates the recognition of two immutable biological sexes, male and female; directs federal agencies to enforce sex-based distinctions in policies, documents, and spaces; and rejects gender identity as a basis for legal and policy decisions. Learn more. 
• Establishing And Implementing The President’s “Department Of Government Efficiency” (Jan 20, 2025)—Establishes DOGE, creates a temporary organization to advance the President's 18-month DOGE agenda, and mandates the formation of DOGE Teams within agencies to enhance governmental efficiency and productivity. Learn more.
• America First Policy Directive To The Secretary Of State (Jan 20, 2025)—Directs the Secretary of State to align the Department of State's operations with "America First" approach, and that US foreign policy must prioritize American interests and citizens. Learn more. 
• Protecting The United States From Foreign Terrorists And Other National Security And Public Safety Threats (Jan 20, 2025)—Mandates enhanced vetting and screening of aliens to protect the United States from foreign terrorists and other national security threats, requiring coordination among various federal agencies to ensure stringent identification and exclusion of potential threats. Learn more.
• Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential (Jan 20, 2025)—Mandates the development of Alaska's natural resources, directs various federal agencies to expedite resource projects and prioritize liquefied natural gas (LNG) development, and rescinds or revises regulations that obstruct these goals. Learn more. 
• Protecting The American People Against Invasion (Jan 20, 2025)—Mandates strict enforcement of US immigration laws to protect national security and public safety, emphasizes removal of inadmissible/removable aliens, prioritizes criminal prosecution of immigration offenses, and establishes Homeland Security Task Forces to combat human trafficking. Learn more.
• The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Global Tax Deal (Global Tax Deal) (Jan 20, 2025)—Memorandum directing the Secretary of the Treasury and other officials to notify the OECD that the Global Tax Deal has no force in the US without Congressional approval and to recommend measures against foreign tax practices that harm American companies. Learn more. 
• Organization of the National Security Council and Subcommittees (Jan 20, 2025)—Affirms the importance of ensuring the safety and security of the United States. The National Security Council (NSC) and Homeland Security Council (HSC) will coordinate interagency policies and strategies, with specific roles and responsibilities outlined for the National Security Advisor and Homeland Security Advisor, and will establish the Principals Committee and Deputies Committee to facilitate policy development and implementation. Learn more. 
• Reevaluating And Realigning United States Foreign Aid (Jan 20, 2025)—Orders a 90-day pause on US foreign development assistance to assess alignment with American interests and policy efficiency. The Secretary of State and the Office of Management and Budget will oversee the process. Learn more.
• Temporary Withdrawal of All Areas on the Outer Continental Shelf from Offshore Wind Leasing and Review of the Federal Government’s Leasing and Permitting Practices for Wind Projects (Jan 20, 2025)—Temporarily withdraws all areas on the Outer Continental Shelf from offshore wind leasing, and mandates a review of federal wind leasing and permitting practices due to various alleged legal and environmental concerns. Learn more.
• Declaring a National Energy Emergency (Jan 20, 2025)—Declares a national emergency due to inadequate energy infrastructure and supply, and mandates federal agencies to use emergency authorities to expedite the development, production, transportation, refining, and generation of domestic energy resources. Learn more.
• Restoring Accountability for Career Senior Executives (Jan 20, 2025)—Mandates new Senior Executive Service (SES) performance plans, reassignment of SES members, and reconstitution of review boards to ensure alignment with the president’s agenda. Learn more. 
• Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture (Jan 20, 2025)—Directs the General Services Administration to ensure Federal buildings reflect civic identity and traditional architectural heritage, and to notify the President if any new building designs deviate from this policy. Learn more.
• Restoring The Death Penalty And Protecting Public Safety (Jan 20, 2025)—Directs the Attorney General to ensure enforcement of capital punishment. Learn more. 
• Putting People Over Fish: Stopping Radical Environmentalism to Provide Water to Southern California (Jan 20, 2025)—Directs federal agencies to resume efforts to reroute water to Southern California to address the region's urgent water needs and mitigate wildfire risks, which rescinds previous environmental restrictions aimed at protecting fish species. Learn more.
• Securing Our Borders (Jan 20, 2025)—Mandates comprehensive actions to secure the southern border, including constructing physical barriers, deploying personnel, detaining illegal aliens, resuming the Migrant Protection Protocols, and enhancing international cooperation, to address illegal immigration. Learn more.
• Protecting The Meaning And Value Of American Citizenship (Jan 20, 2025)—Clarifies that US citizenship is not automatically granted to individuals born in the US. Learn more.
• Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program (Jan 20, 2025)—Suspends the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), revokes Executive Order 14013, and orders periodic reviews to determine when the program can be resumed. Learn more.
• Unleashing American Energy (Jan 20, 2025)—Outlines a policy to reduce high energy costs by promoting energy exploration and production on federal lands, and revokes several previous executive orders related to climate change and environmental regulations. Learn more.
• Clarifying The Military’s Role In Protecting The Territorial Integrity Of The United States (Jan 20, 2025)—Directs the Armed Forces to prioritize border security against threats such as unlawful mass migration, narcotics trafficking, and other criminal activities. The Secretary of Defense must revise the Unified Command Plan and implement specific planning requirements to ensure the security of the borders. Learn more.
• America First Trade Policy (Jan 20, 2025)—Outlines strategy to prioritize American economic and national security interests through robust trade policies. Learn more.
• Declaring A National Emergency At The Southern Border Of The United States (Jan 20, 2025)—Declares a national emergency at the southern border of the United States and directs the deployment of military resources and construction of additional barriers to secure the border. Learn more.
• Holding Former Government Officials Accountable For Election Interference And Improper Disclosure Of Sensitive Governmental Information (Jan 20, 2025)—Revokes security clearances for former intelligence officials who allegedly coordinated with the Biden campaign and/or published sensitive information. Learn more. 
• Restoring Accountability To Policy-Influencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce (Jan 20, 2025)—Mandates that federal employees must faithfully implement administration policies, with failure to do so being grounds for dismissal, and revokes Executive Order 14003, which had protected the federal workforce. Learn more.
• Withdrawing The United States From The World Health Organization (Jan 20, 2025)—Announces intention to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) due to perceived mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and orders steps to halt funding, reassign personnel, and identify alternative partners for global health activities. Learn more.
• Application Of Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act to TikTok (Jan 20, 2025)—Orders a 75-day suspension of enforcement to assess national security concerns pertaining to “foreign adversary controlled applications.” Learn more.
• Granting Pardons And Commutation Of Sentences For Certain Offenses Restating To The Events At or Near The United States Capitol On January 6, 2021 (Jan 20, 2025)—Commutes the sentences of specific January 6 rioters to time served as of January 20, 2025, and grants unconditional pardons to all others convicted of related offenses, directing their immediate release and dismissal of pending indictments. Learn more.
• Putting America First In International Environmental Agreements (Jan 20, 2025)—Withdraws the US from the Paris Agreement and other related international environmental commitments, ceasing financial contributions and revoking the U.S. International Climate Finance Plan. Learn more.
• Delivering Emergency Price Relief for American Families and Defeating the Cost-of-Living Crisis (Jan 20, 2025)—Orders executive departments and agencies to deliver emergency price relief by lowering housing costs, reducing healthcare expenses, eliminating costly regulations, and creating job opportunities. Learn more. 
• Hiring Freeze (Jan 20, 2025)—Orders a freeze on hiring Federal civilian employees across the executive branch with exceptions for military personnel, positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, public safety, and essential services. Learn more.
• Regulatory Freeze Pending Review (Jan 20, 2025)—Orders all executive departments and agencies to halt proposing or issuing new rules until reviewed and approved by a newly appointed department or agency head, and withdraws rules already sent to the Office of the Federal Register pending further evaluation. Learn more.
• Return to In-Person Work (Jan 20, 2025)—Orders the heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis. Learn more.
• Ending The Weaponization Of The Federal Government (Jan 20, 2025)—Mandates a review of the previous administration's alleged misuse of federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies for political purposes. Learn more. 
• Restoring Freedom Of Speech And Ending Federal Censorship (Jan 20, 2025)—Aims to protect free speech by prohibiting federal government interference and censorship, investigating past violations, and ensuring no federal resources are used to suppress constitutionally protected speech. Learn more.
• Initial Rescissions Of Harmful Executive Orders And Actions (Jan 20, 2025)—Revoke numerous executive actions from the previous administration, citing them as unpopular, inflationary, illegal, and radical. Learn more.
• Guaranteeing The States Protection Against Invasion (Jan 20, 2025)—Declares the situation at the southern border an invasion, suspends the entry of aliens involved in this invasion, and imposes restrictions to protect national security, public health, and safety. Learn more.