Since President Donald J. Trump was sworn into office on January 20th, he’s been working non-stop to undo the disastrous policies of the Biden Administration and fulfill his campaign promises. As of Friday, Trump has signed dozens of executive orders, memoranda and proclamations covering a variety of matters and issues impacting the American people. President Trump is truly embracing a “pedal-to-the-metal,” approach to governance in his second term.

Fiscal policy and the economy are impacted by a variety of issues, including immigration, foreign policy, environmental policy, energy, and more. To assess how Trump’s actions so far will impact the fiscal health of America and her people, measures taken towards these types of issues must be taken into account. 

As you’ll see below, most of what’s covered focuses on essentially cleaning up the ever-expanding federal government, eliminating regulations, establishing energy dominance, and restoring a semblance of government efficiency.

Here is a list with some of his executive actions that impact fiscal policy:

• INITIAL RESCISSIONS OF HARMFUL EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND ACTIONS
  • This executive order revokes 26 executive orders issued by the Biden administration, targeting policies on diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), climate change, immigration, public health, and COVID-19 response. The order criticizes these policies as divisive and economically damaging, seeking to replace them with actions that promote national unity, economic growth, and national security.

• RETURN TO IN-PERSON WORK
  • This executive order mandates heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of Government shall, as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require federal employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis. Exemptions deemed necessary are permitted.

• REGULATORY FREEZE PENDING REVIEW
  • This executive memorandum imposes a review process on all proposed and pending federal rules and regulations. It directs that no new rule can be proposed or issued by any federal department or agency without approval from a department head appointed after January 20, 2025, with some exceptions for urgent situations.

• HIRING FREEZE
  • This executive memorandum imposes a freeze on the hiring of federal civilian employees across the executive branch. It prohibits the filling of vacant positions and the creation of new positions, except in cases outlined within the memorandum or as allowed by other laws. The freeze does not apply to military personnel, immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety positions, nor does it affect Social Security, Medicare, or Veterans’ benefits.

• DELIVERING EMERGENCY PRICE RELIEF FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES AND DEFEATING THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS
  • This executive order addresses the economic challenges faced by American families due to the policies of the Biden Administration. The order directs all executive departments and agencies to take immediate action to reduce costs for American households, with a focus on housing, healthcare, energy, and food. This includes reducing regulatory burdens that raise prices, expanding housing supply, eliminating unnecessary healthcare expenses, and creating more job opportunities.

• PUTTING AMERICA FIRST IN INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS
  • This executive order focuses on prioritizing the economic interests of the United States in international environmental agreements. It emphasizes the nation’s track record of achieving both economic growth and environmental protection and aims to withdraw from international climate agreements that may hinder U.S. economic interests, particularly the Paris Agreement. The order mandates the immediate cessation of U.S. financial commitments related to international climate finance and the withdrawal from any agreements under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

• DECLARING A NATIONAL EMERGENCY AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES
  • This proclamation declares a national emergency at the southern border of the United States due to escalating threats from criminal cartels, gangs, human traffickers, and the illegal flow of narcotics. The President directs the deployment of U.S. military personnel to assist the Department of Homeland Security in securing the border, including constructing additional physical barriers and addressing the use of unmanned aerial systems by smugglers. The aim is to regain full operational control over the southern border to protect American citizens and uphold national security.

• AMERICA FIRST TRADE POLICY
  • The executive order outlines a comprehensive strategy for addressing America’s trade and economic policies, with a focus on prioritizing national security and American interests. It emphasizes reducing trade deficits, protecting U.S. industries, and countering unfair trade practices, particularly from countries like China.

• UNLEASHING AMERICAN ENERGY
  • This executive order focuses on enhancing the United States’ energy independence and economic prosperity by removing burdensome regulations that restrict energy and mineral resource development. It aims to promote energy exploration, prioritize domestic energy production, and bolster the U.S. as a global leader in energy and mineral resources. The overall goal is to secure affordable, reliable energy, create jobs, and protect national security by reducing reliance on adversarial nations.

• SECURING OUR BORDERS
  • This executive order outlines a comprehensive strategy to address illegal immigration and secure the U.S. southern border. It emphasizes the urgency of stopping the flow of illegal aliens, especially individuals who pose security risks, by strengthening physical barriers and increasing personnel deployment along the border. The order calls for the detention of individuals apprehended for immigration violations, the resumption of Migrant Protection Protocols, and a cessation of certain parole programs that facilitate unlawful entry.

• DECLARING A NATIONAL ENERGY EMERGENCY
  • The executive order declares a national emergency due to the United States’ inadequate energy resources and infrastructure, exacerbated by previous policies, which threaten national security, economic stability, and technological competitiveness. It directs federal agencies to utilize emergency powers to expedite the development, transportation, and refining of domestic energy resources, particularly on federal lands, and addresses vulnerabilities in key regions like the Northeast and West Coast.

• REEVALUATING AND REALIGNING UNITED STATES FOREIGN AID
  • This executive order directs a 90-day pause on all U.S. foreign development assistance, including funds allocated to foreign countries, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations, for an assessment of efficiency and alignment with U.S. foreign policy. This order is meant to ensure that U.S. foreign aid is effectively aligned with the nation’s foreign policy and interests.

• THE ORGANIZATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD) GLOBAL TAX DEAL (GLOBAL TAX DEAL)
  • This memorandum, issued to key U.S. officials, addresses the OECD Global Tax Deal, which the previous administration supported but is now deemed harmful to U.S. sovereignty and economic competitiveness.

• UNLEASHING ALASKA’S EXTRAORDINARY RESOURCE POTENTIAL
  • This executive order issued by President Trump focuses on unleashing Alaska’s natural resource potential to benefit both the state and the nation. It outlines a policy to prioritize the development of Alaska’s energy, minerals, and other resources, while also reversing restrictions on resource development imposed by the previous administration.

• ESTABLISHING AND IMPLEMENTING THE PRESIDENT’S “DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY”
  • This executive order establishes the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to drive the modernization of federal technology and software, aimed at improving government productivity and efficiency. The order also requires federal agencies to establish DOGE teams to coordinate modernization efforts and support the implementation of this agenda.

A more comprehensive list can be found at the White House website here.

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