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- Trump’s second term begins with a flurry of executive orders, focusing on immigration, economic reform, and environmental deregulation.
- Key orders include barring asylum for southern border arrivals, ending birthright citizenship, and withdrawing from the Paris Agreement.
- Courts are already challenging several of these orders, with a federal judge blocking the order to end birthright citizenship.
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Essential Context
The first weeks of Donald Trump’s second term have been marked by a series of executive orders that reflect his campaign promises. These orders target immigration, economic policies, and environmental regulations.
Core Players
- Donald Trump – President of the United States
- Sarah Sherman-Stokes – Clinical Associate Professor at Boston University School of Law
- Anne Short Gianotti – Associate Professor in the BU College of Arts & Sciences department of Earth and environment
- Federal Courts – Challenging several of Trump’s executive orders
Key Numbers
- 11 million – Estimated number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., a target for Trump’s deportation policies.
- 22 – Number of states suing Trump to block the order to end birthright citizenship.
- February 1, 2025 – Tariffs on goods from China, Mexico, and Canada went into effect.
- January 22, 2025 – Justice Department memo ordered US attorneys to investigate and prosecute law enforcement officials in states and cities refusing to enforce new immigration policies.
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The Catalyst
Trump’s executive orders are a direct reflection of his campaign promises, aiming to make significant changes in immigration, economic policies, and environmental regulations.
“Big picture, what we’re seeing is the creation of a climate of fear, chaos, and anxiety within the immigrant community,” says Sarah Sherman-Stokes.
Inside Forces
Trump’s actions on immigration include rescinding Biden-era guidelines, allowing immigration officers to arrest undocumented migrants in sensitive areas like schools and healthcare facilities.
Power Dynamics
The relationship between federal and state governments is tense, with states like Massachusetts refusing to cooperate with federal immigration policies. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu stated, “The federal government can implement their laws, and we’re not forced to participate in their actions.”
A Justice Department memo has ordered US attorneys to investigate and prosecute law enforcement officials in states and cities that refuse to enforce these policies.
Outside Impact
Trump’s executive orders on climate policy aim to undo his predecessor’s work, including withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and rolling back regulations on tailpipe pollution and energy-efficient appliances.
“We’re seeing Trump actively trying to shift the balance [between renewable energy sources and fossil fuels], and slow the movement on renewables and other non-fossil-fuel energy development,” says Anne Short Gianotti.
Future Forces
The upcoming weeks and months will likely see continued legal battles over these executive orders. States and cities may continue to resist federal policies, potentially leading to more confrontations.
Key areas to watch include:
- Legal challenges to executive orders
- State and federal government interactions on immigration and climate policies
- Economic impacts of tariffs and trade policies
- Public reaction and humanitarian consequences of immigration policies
Data Points
- January 29, 2025: Trump signs several executive orders on his first day in office.
- February 1, 2025: Tariffs on goods from China, Mexico, and Canada go into effect.
- January 22, 2025: Justice Department memo orders US attorneys to investigate and prosecute non-cooperative law enforcement officials.
- 11 million: Estimated number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
As Trump’s second term unfolds, the country is poised for significant changes across multiple policy fronts. The interplay between federal and state governments, along with legal challenges, will shape the future of these policies.
