Sweeping Changes: An Analysis of The First 50 Executive Orders by President Trump in 2025

President Trump has begun his term by issuing 50+ executive orders that represent a stark departure from the policies of his predecessor. These orders are aimed at correcting what the President views as the failures and overreach of the previous administration, with a specific focus on the perceived weaponization of federal agencies and the suppression of free speech. The President’s actions are framed as necessary to restore what he sees as a balance of power and accountability within the government and a commitment to the constitutional rights of American citizens. From rescinding prior executive orders – particularly those related to environmental regulations and climate change initiatives – to reforming federal hiring practices and ending what he calls “radical and wasteful” DEI programs, these actions seek to restore accountability, reduce government overreach, and redirect the country toward what the President believes are the best interests of the American people. These executive actions are not merely a series of policy changes; they represent a fundamental realignment of the relationship between the federal government and the American people.

The flurry of executive orders released recently signals a major shift in policy across various sectors in the United States. These orders, which touch upon everything from energy independence to immigration and foreign policy, indicate a move toward a more nationalistic approach, prioritizing American interests and reevaluating established practices. Let’s delve into some of the key themes and what they mean for the nation.

Top 10 Topics

Based on the first 50 executive orders in 2025, here are 10 key issues that President Trump is addressing:

• Weaponization of the Federal Government: The President seeks to address the perceived misuse of federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies against political opponents. Executive Order 14147 aims to ensure accountability for actions taken by the previous administration.
• Harmful Executive Orders: Several executive orders rescind prior actions taken by the previous administration. Executive Order 14148 revokes a number of executive orders. This includes actions related to racial equity, climate change, and COVID-19.
• Government DEI Programs: The President seeks to end what he sees as “radical and wasteful” Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government. Executive Order 14151 aims to eliminate discrimination programs and prioritize merit.
• Election Interference: The President is concerned with holding former government officials accountable for alleged election interference and improper disclosure of sensitive governmental information. Executive Order 14152 directs action against individuals who engage in partisan political activities.
• Energy Independence: The President aims to increase domestic energy production, including oil and gas, and to promote American energy dominance. Executive Orders 14153 and 14154 focus on unleashing Alaska’s resource potential and American energy.
• Border Security and Immigration: The President is focused on securing the borders and reducing illegal immigration. Executive Orders 14159 and 14165 address immigration enforcement, border security, and the removal of illegal aliens.
• Foreign Threats: The President seeks to protect the United States from foreign terrorists, cartels, and other national security threats. Executive Orders 14157 and 14161 target cartels and foreign terrorists.
• Radical Indoctrination in Schools: The President aims to end the teaching of what he sees as radical ideologies in schools. Executive Order 14190 addresses this issue.
• Government Overregulation: The President seeks to reduce the regulatory burden and streamline the regulatory process. Executive Order 14192 focuses on deregulation to unleash prosperity.
• Drug Trafficking: The President is focused on addressing the flow of illicit drugs, particularly synthetic opioids, into the United States. Executive Orders 14193, 14194, and 14195 aim to stop drug trafficking across the northern and southern borders and from the People’s Republic of China.

These issues highlight the President’s focus on national security, economic growth, and a rejection of what he views as the harmful policies of the previous administration.

Weaponized Federal Government

On December 20, 2024 the US House released a 17,000-page staff report that details the findings about the Biden-Harris Administration’s weaponized federal government.

Several executive orders address the idea of a “weaponized” federal government and potential overreach, primarily focusing on law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and censorship. Here’s a breakdown of how these concerns are addressed in the sources, as well as some of the actions taken:

Executive Order 14147: Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government

• Purpose: This order directly addresses the concern that the previous administration engaged in a “systematic campaign” to weaponize the legal process and the Intelligence Community against perceived political opponents. The order states that actions were taken that were “oriented more toward inflicting political pain than toward pursuing actual justice or legitimate governmental objectives”.
• Actions: It mandates a review of all actions by all departments and agencies involving criminal enforcement and the Intelligence Community over the past 4 years. The Attorney General is directed to prepare a report with recommendations to remedy actions that were contrary to the policies of the order. This suggests that the President believes that government agencies were used to target political opponents, and that this should be investigated.
• Specific Concerns: The order mentions “numerous Federal law enforcement agencies and the Intelligence Community” and “politically motivated funding revocations” as examples of weaponization. It also references the prosecution of individuals associated with January 6 and the treatment of those who spoke out at school board meetings as examples of the government targeting individuals with opposing viewpoints.

Executive Order 14149: Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship

• Purpose: This order focuses on the idea that the government has been involved in censoring speech by working with social media companies to “suppress speech that the Federal Government did not approve”.
• Policy: The order states that the policy of the United States is to ensure that no government official, employee, or agent engages in any conduct that would unconstitutionally abridge the free speech of any American citizen.
• Actions: It directs the Attorney General to investigate actions by the Federal government over the past four years that were inconsistent with the policies of the order. The order aims to prevent the government from using “coercive pressure on third parties” to limit speech, and to prevent the government from labeling information as “misinformation,” “disinformation,” or “malinformation” to suppress speech. This indicates a concern about government influence on private companies to limit speech.

Executive Order 14152: Holding Former Government Officials Accountable for Election Interference and Improper Disclosure of Sensitive Governmental Information

• Purpose: This order addresses the idea that former government officials used their positions to improperly influence the 2020 presidential election, specifically related to the controversy over a laptop. It expresses the concern that the Intelligence Community may have been used to manipulate the political process and undermine democratic institutions.
• Policy: The order states that it is the policy of the United States to ensure that the Intelligence Community not be engaged in partisan politics.
• Actions: The order directs the Director of National Intelligence to revoke security clearances for a number of former intelligence officials who may have been involved in such actions. This is a direct response to perceived overreach and politicization of the intelligence community.

Overall, these executive orders suggest a belief that the federal government has overreached its authority, abused its power, and become a tool to suppress opposing viewpoints or target political opponents. The President is attempting to correct what he sees as abuses by the federal government through investigations, policy changes, and revoking security clearances for certain individuals.

Foreign Policy

The executive orders related to foreign policy collectively indicate an approach centered on national sovereignty, prioritizing domestic needs, and reassessing international commitments to ensure they align with the administration’s vision of America’s role in the world. Key aspects of this approach, as reflected in the orders, include:

• Challenging and withdrawing from international agreements: The United States will withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change and other similar agreements, and intends to withdraw from the World Health Organization, based on the belief that these agreements do not serve the economic interests of the United States. (EO 14154, 14162)
• Reevaluating foreign aid: A 90-day pause has been initiated to assess the effectiveness of United States foreign aid and its alignment with American interests, potentially shifting how the country engages with other nations and allocates resources. (EO 14169)
• Prioritizing American interests: The administration’s foreign policy will champion American interests first, ensuring that the nation’s policies, personnel, and operations are aligned to serve the country and its citizens. (EO 14150)
• Designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations: Certain international cartels, such as the Cartel de Aranza (TdA) and La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), are designated as foreign terrorist organizations, allowing the U.S. to take more aggressive action against them. (EO 14157, 14195)
• Imposing duties to address the flow of illicit drugs: The administration aims to address the flow of illicit drugs, such as fentanyl, by imposing duties on the products of countries that are the source of those drugs. (EO 14195)
• Realigning the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program: The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program will be suspended and realigned to admit only those refugees who can fully and appropriately assimilate and do not pose a security risk. (EO 14163)

These actions reflect a focus on a more nationalistic foreign policy that prioritizes the interests of the U.S. and reevaluates established international agreements.

Energy Independence

Several executive orders signal a strong push towards achieving American energy independence and reducing reliance on foreign sources, with a focus on both traditional energy production and the development of new resources. These orders aim to unleash America’s energy potential and ensure the nation’s energy security. Key aspects of this strategy, as reflected in the orders, include:

• Promoting domestic energy production: The administration seeks to encourage oil and natural gas production on federal lands and waters, including the Outer Continental Shelf, to ensure an affordable and reliable energy supply. (EO 14154) This is further emphasized by actions to expedite the permitting of energy and natural resource projects in Alaska. (EO 14153)
• Prioritizing Alaskan energy resources: The executive orders specifically aim to fully develop Alaska’s vast energy resources, including liquid natural gas (LNG). This approach is intended to not only benefit Alaskans but also to contribute to the national energy supply. (EO 14153)
• Challenging regulations hindering energy development: The administration is directing agencies to review and rescind regulations that impede domestic energy production, including those related to oil, natural gas, coal, hydropower, biofuels, and critical minerals. Additionally, the administration is taking steps to streamline the permitting process for energy projects. (EO 14153)
• Ending the “electric vehicle (EV) mandate”: The administration aims to eliminate policies and mandates that favor electric vehicles over other forms of transportation, in an effort to promote consumer choice and ensure a level playing field across the transportation sector.
• Declaring a National Energy Emergency: A national emergency has been declared to address the nation’s inadequate energy supply and infrastructure. (EO 14156) This action allows the government to take further steps to ensure energy security.
• Securing critical minerals: The administration is working to secure domestic sources of critical minerals necessary for energy production and technology, and directing the U.S. Geological Survey to update its list of critical minerals. (EO 14154)

These actions collectively reflect a vision of energy independence that prioritizes the use of domestic resources, reduces regulatory burdens on energy producers, and seeks to enhance America’s energy infrastructure and security.

Joe The Plumber

The executive orders aim to impact the average American, including someone like “Joe the Plumber,” in several ways, with a focus on economic, social, and national security aspects. Here’s how these changes could potentially affect an average person, based on the information in the sources:

• Energy Costs and Availability: The executive orders seek to increase domestic energy production by promoting oil and natural gas development on federal lands and waters. This could lead to lower prices at the gas pump and more stable energy costs. By expediting energy projects and challenging regulations that impede energy production, the administration aims to make energy more affordable and reliable for everyone, including the average consumer. The orders also aim to eliminate policies that favor electric vehicles (EVs), which could impact vehicle choices and costs for those who are not interested in purchasing an EV.
• Job Market: The administration’s focus on ending “radical and wasteful” DEI programs may lead to changes in hiring practices in both the federal government and private sector. The orders encourage employers to prioritize merit, skills, and a commitment to American values. This could mean that Joe the Plumber, or any individual, may be evaluated more on their skills and experience rather than factors such as race, sex, or ethnicity in hiring and promotion decisions. Additionally, the push for domestic energy production could lead to more job opportunities in the energy sector.
• Education: The administration aims to end what it sees as “radical indoctrination” in K-12 schools. This could lead to changes in the curriculum and what is taught in classrooms. The administration also wants to ensure parents have a say in their children’s education, which could empower parents to be more involved in determining what their children are learning. For families with children in K-12, this could mean a change in their children’s educational experience.
• Immigration and Border Security: The focus on securing the nation’s borders and enforcing immigration laws may indirectly impact Joe the Plumber. The administration is working to protect the American people from potential threats, but this could also lead to changes in who is permitted to work and live in the U.S..
• Healthcare: The executive orders include provisions related to healthcare, including an intention to withdraw from the World Health Organization. This may result in changes to healthcare policies and how the U.S. engages with global health matters. In addition, the administration is looking to protect children from medical interventions related to gender transition, which may have an impact on the healthcare system.
• Government Efficiency: The establishment of a “Department of Government Efficiency” is aimed at streamlining government operations and modernizing technology. This may not have a direct impact on the day to day life of Joe the Plumber, but it could lead to a more efficient government and lower costs in the long run.
• Combating Anti-Semitism: The orders seek to combat anti-semitism, aiming to ensure that Jewish students are protected from discrimination in schools and universities. While this specifically targets anti-semitism, it is part of a broader effort to address discrimination across different communities, which may benefit all citizens.
• Foreign Policy: Changes in foreign policy, including reevaluating international agreements and foreign aid, are intended to benefit Americans by ensuring the country’s resources are used to serve the nation’s interests. This could mean that American taxpayers are not supporting programs that are not aligned with American goals.

These executive orders aim to bring changes across various sectors, with a focus on making energy more affordable, the job market more merit-based, and protecting American citizens from potential threats. While some of these effects might not be immediately apparent, the overall vision is to create a stronger, more secure, and prosperous America that prioritizes the needs of its citizens.

List of the first 50 executive orders, their numbers, and titles:

The full text of these executive orders can be found in the Federal Register.

• Executive Order 14147: Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government
• Executive Order 14148: Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions
• Executive Order 14149: Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship
• Executive Order 14150: America First Policy Directive to the Secretary of State
• Executive Order 14151: Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing
• Executive Order 14152: Holding Former Government Officials Accountable for Election Interference and Improper Disclosure of Sensitive Governmental Information
• Executive Order 14153: Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential
• Executive Order 14154: Unleashing American Energy
• Executive Order 14155: Withdrawing the United States From the World Health Organization
• Executive Order 14156: Declaring a National Energy Emergency
• Executive Order 14157: Designating Cartels and Other Organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists
• Executive Order 14158: Establishing and Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency”
• Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion
• Executive Order 14160: Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship
• Executive Order 14161: Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats
• Executive Order 14162: Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements
• Executive Order 14163: Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program
• Executive Order 14164: Restoring the Death Penalty and Protecting Public Safety
• Executive Order 14165: Securing Our Borders
• Executive Order 14166: Application of Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act to TikTok
• Executive Order 14167: Clarifying the Military’s Role in Protecting the Territorial Integrity of the United States
• Executive Order 14168: Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government
• Executive Order 14169: Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid
• Executive Order 14170: Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service
• Executive Order 14171: Restoring Accountability to Policy-Influencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce
• Executive Order 14172: Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness
• Executive Order 14173: Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity
• Executive Order 14174: Revocation of Certain Executive Orders
• Executive Order 14175: Designation of Ansar Allah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization
• Executive Order 14176: Declassification of Records Concerning the Assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Executive Order 14177: President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
• Executive Order 14178: Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology
• Executive Order 14179: Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence
• Executive Order 14180: Council To Assess the Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Executive Order 14181: Emergency Measures To Provide Water Resources in California and Improve Disaster Response in Certain Areas
• Executive Order 14182: Enforcing the Hyde Amendment
• Executive Order 14183: Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness
• Executive Order 14184: Reinstating Service Members Discharged Under the Military’s COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate
• Executive Order 14185: Restoring America’s Fighting Force
• Executive Order 14186: The Iron Dome for America
• Executive Order 14187: Protecting Children From Chemical and Surgical Mutilation
• Executive Order 14188: Additional Measures To Combat Anti-Semitism
• Executive Order 14189: Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday
• Executive Order 14190: Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling
• Executive Order 14191: Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families
• Executive Order 14192: Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation
• Executive Order 14193: Imposing Duties To Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border
• Executive Order 14194: Imposing Duties To Address the Situation at Our Southern Border
• Executive Order 14195: Imposing Duties To Address the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China
• Executive Order 14196: A Plan for Establishing a United States Sovereign Wealth Fund

Featured Photo Source: Wikipedia via: https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1881692356006797552