Do you agree with Trump’s NEW executive orders?
In the view of promises and proposals Trump campaigned on, the President is now predictably issuing more extensive executive orders.
Unlike regular legislation that must pass through Congress as well, executive orders fall under the President’s full authority as long as they are legitimately based on the Constitution.
Regardless, presidential powers still have set limits. In some cases, Trump’s executive orders have faced massive scrutiny, and there is long to go before they become effective.
The only way to dismiss his exuberant campaign plans now turning into Americans’ reality is a rare Congress veto-proof majority that would be able to pass legislation to override an executive order. We argue that this might be possible when it comes to orders standing against human rights.
Until then, check out the six eye-catching executive orders Trump has issued most recently.
1. Declaring drug cartels as ‘foreign terrorist organizations’
In a nutshell: Trump stands on the claim that cartels have “engaged in a campaign of violence and terror” throughout the country and follows the need to “ensure the total elimination” of these groups for national security reasons.
The proposed policy would also grant US agencies 14 days to provide intelligence on which groups should be removed from the country.
Why it could be unfeasible to pass: Labeling cartels as ‘foreign terrorist organizations’ could create problems for American citizens associated with these groups. Whether street dealers or financially affiliated, individuals will be prosecuted as accomplice in crime.
Even if the former group could technically take cover, the latter would face legal consequences. With cartels generally known to conduct some sort of legitimate business activities on the side as well, the faulty chain would ultimately lead to US businessmen.
Essential for a good chunk of our economy, profitable activity and capital that happen to be tied to cartels, most of them in insignificant amounts anyway, should ideally be left unprosecuted. In short, it’s a case of weighing advantages, and protecting American investors is simply more advantageous for everyone. And Trump knows it.
From an international relations perspective, this order would put a strain on Mexico partnerships. Following similar patterns with the before-9/11 repression of Middle Easterners, the policy and its impact could artificially develop a motive for military action against southern neighbor Mexico.
2. Pulling out of Paris climate agreement
In a nutshell: Trump asks the US ambassador to the UN to “immediately” submit a formal written request to withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreement.
Adopted by nearly 200 countries in 2015, the Paris climate agreement role is for countries to collaboratively manage global greenhouse gas emissions. Although emission targets are voluntary and self-determined within each country, it is unsure why Trump wants to withdraw from the international flexible framework.
Having claimed that his withdrawal proposal does not mean fewer environmental objectives in the US, Trump first announced the intention to withdraw during his last term in 2017 and completed it in 2020. Biden then reintroduced the US in the Paris climate agreement in 2021.
Why it could be unfeasible to pass: On January 20, 2025, Trump’s first day back at the White House, the second withdrawal from the international agreement was signed under the premise of America first. Accordingly, the phrasing is supposed to refer to domestic oil and gas production, about which Trump said that the goal is to be the number one producer of both.
The US is already number one in oil and gas production.
The US greenhouse gas emissions stand at around 11% of the global total, making it the second biggest polluter after China.
3. Ending birthright citizenship
In a nutshell: Aimed at immigrant families based in the US, Trump wants to end birthright citizenship for US-born children. The main scapegoats behind this proposal are illegal immigrants and parents on a temporary stay in the country.
The executive order reports included a clear method of implementation as well. The administration would just withhold documents, such as passports, from people it considers ineligible for US citizenship. No criteria of eligibility were brought forward yet.
Why it could be unfeasible to pass: Since the principle of birthright citizenship has been established in the US Constitution by the 14th Amendment in 1868, it is unlikely that this unconstitutional order will pass.
With the original Constitution clause stating that anyone born on US soil is automatically a US citizen regardless of their parents’ citizenship or immigration status, US courts have supported this constitutional right for the past 150 years.
Another reason this order is unfeasible is the legal procedures and processing times necessary in mass deportations.
4. Withdrawing from World Health Organization (WHO)
In a nutshell: The order claims that WHO has managed the COVID-19 pandemic in faulty ways. People are overconscious of these Trump attitudes.
Trump’s negative relations with WHO are rooted in the assumption that the international organization is majorly influenced and controlled by China, who is traditionally believed to have started the worldwide virus spread in the first place.
The only concrete reasoning part of the order mentions unfair payments the US made to WHO.
Why it could be unfeasible to pass: This is the second time Trump is withdrawing the US from WHO. He started the lengthy process in his last term, but Biden reversed this decision. The US has been part of WHO since 1948.
It is not entirely settled whether this one executive order still enjoys the President’s full authority or if it requires the vote majority from Congress.
Experts describe this as “catastrophic”, “disastrous”, “damaging” and warn that this decision could globally impact health security and preparedness for future pandemics and more. Ultimately, the move would leave Americans unprotected and isolated from health measures from 2026.
5. Renaming Gulf of Mexico
In a nutshell: Trump’s order calls for the Gulf of Mexico, south of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, to be renamed “Gulf of America”.
Additionally, it gives permission to the administration to change the name of the Gulf on official government documents. This has already happened in a weather update from Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.
Why it could be unfeasible to pass: One cannot play with geography as they wish. Trump can’t make other countries and private entities change the Gulf name as well. For instance, the geographical structure is still labelled as Gulf of Mexico on Google Maps.
Along the same lines, Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum responded that the US can call the Gulf whatever it wants, but the rest of the world will still call it the Gulf of Mexico.
If the Trump administration does go ahead with this order, Mexico is legally entitled to raising an official dispute at the International Hydrographic Organization, which stands as a technical body to mediate maritime names.
In that case, the dispute would raise a diplomatic conflict, where allies of the US and Mexico would be caught up until this is resolved.
6. The US recognises two sexes, male and female
In a nutshell: “It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female. These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality,” the Trump order says, also adding that the government will use the term sex, not gender identity.
The basis is supposedly constitutional, as referring to people in public spaces by their preferred pronouns violates the US Constitution’s First Amendment on freedom of speech and religion.
The states of Kansas and Montana have already passed laws to ensure the biological basis of sexes on a local level.
If you’re into American politics and want to learn more, today’s choice of reading from Light on Politics is How America Runs: Understand Every Part Of The American System. Author Daniel Bulmez gives critical answers to Americans’ questions. Have you ever wondered why your morning coffee costs what it does? Or what actually happens when you pay your taxes? Or who ensures the water from your tap is safe to drink?
Why it could be unfeasible to pass: High-profile organizations and social movements like the Human Rights Campaign would militate against this Trump proposal. In the view of vulnerable social category rights, the effects could leave the country more dangerous to women and minorities, promoting hostile society views.
The US Supreme Court would likely be involved in this process, too. With a conservative majority, it is possible that members will vote in favor of Trump. That doesn’t mean no other legal challenges will appear.
Furthermore, American citizens will need to change their documents, including passports and visas, if the ‘X’ option other than ‘male’ and ‘female’ is to be removed.
Bottom line
What do you think about the most recent Trump executive orders? Do they have a chance? Should Americans be involved in the decision-making as well? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.
If you found this useful, continue reading Fascinating! Can You Guess Which US Presidents Visited North Korea?
