Trump’s Second First Week

By Laura Walling, Vice President of Government Affairs, Goodwill Industries International, Inc.

President Trump wasted no time settling back into the oval office, issuing more than 40 executive orders (EOs) in his first week of his second administration. During his first term, Trump signed 14 executive orders and memoranda over his first week. The broad range of issues covered by the actions of interest to Goodwill and the people we serve include diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs; government grants and contracts; civic engagement; and immigration. Some EOs may not take effect immediately and some face legal challenges.

The purpose of an EO is to instruct government agencies and departments on how to execute and enforce legislation, and how to operate in certain policy areas. Other branches of government provide a check to EOs. Courts may declare an EO unconstitutional if it oversteps the executive power. Enforcement may be postponed until a final ruling. Congress may pass legislation revoking or modifying the powers it gave to a president through previous legislation, and if vetoed, Congress can override the veto with a 2/3 majority vote in the House and Senate.

The following is a list of EOs of interest.

  • Emergency Price Relief: Directs federal agencies to reduce regulatory costs and promotes affordability in housing, energy, and healthcare to improve economic conditions for US households.
  • America First Trade Policy: Directs a comprehensive review of trade policies to address deficits, counter unfair practices, enhance national security, and prioritize American industries, workers, and economic interests.
  • National Energy Emergency: These EOs pauses some spending authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure law, including funding for electric vehicle charging stations until the conclusion of agency review and recommendation.
  • Immigration Policies: These EOs focus on immigration and are facing legal challenges. Redefines birthright citizenship to exclude individuals born in the US to parents who are unlawfully present or temporarily residing, effective 30 days after issuance. Suspends the US Refugee Admissions Program until further review to align refugee entry with national interests, prioritize security, and ensure state and local consultation. Prioritizes strict enforcement of immigration laws, directs the attorney general to research stopping federal funding to sanctuary jurisdictions, and revokes prior policies to address unauthorized entry. Restrict public benefits for noncitizens unlawfully present in the US.
  • Ending DEI Programs: Terminates DEI programs in federal agencies, emphasizing merit-based employment and equal dignity while requiring review and compliance within 60 days.
  • Gender Ideology: Defines ‘sex’ strictly as biological male or female, mandates federal policies and documents align with this definition, and prohibits funding or promotion of gender ideology.
  • Government Efficiency: Establishes the Department of Government Efficiency and the US DOGE Service to modernize federal technology and software, improve interoperability, and enhance government productivity. This EO is being challenged.
  • Federal Hiring: The EO rescinds a prior order pertaining to government contractor race and sex affirmative action program requirements and orders the OFCCP to immediately cease promoting diversity and holding federal contractors and subcontractors responsible for taking “affirmative action.” It encourages the private sector to “end illegal DEI discrimination and preferences” and directs each agency to identify up to 9 nonprofits of a certain size among other institutions and corporations for civil investigation.
  • Foreign Aid: Pauses new foreign development aid for 90 days to assess program efficiency and alignment with US foreign policy, requiring State Department and OMB approval for continuation.

Not uncommon with a change in Administration, Trump also instituted a 90-day hiring freeze across most executive agencies and rescinded many of former President Biden’s EOs. We will continue to monitor the impact and legal challenges of these EOs.