President Donald Trump's First Day Full of Executive Orders: How Will They Impact Chicago?

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders, more than any other president has signed on Day One, since the Federal Register began keeping record, aimed at reversing previous policies and implementing new directives. These actions encompass various areas, including immigration, energy, federal employment, and social policies. Below is an overview of these orders, their potential effects on the country, their feasibility, and any direct impact on Chicago:

List of Executive Orders:

1. Immigration and Border Security:
• Declared a national emergency at the southern border.
• Deployed additional troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.
• Reinstated the "Remain in Mexico" program.
• Attempted to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.
• Designated Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
• Shut down the CBP One app, halting legal migrant entry appointments.
2. Energy and Environmental Policies:
• Declared a national energy emergency to lift restrictions on oil and gas exploration.
• Recommitted to withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord.
• Revoked the electric vehicle (EV) mandate.
3. Federal Employment and Social Policies:
• Froze federal hiring, excluding the military.
• Ordered federal employees to return to full-time office work.
• Slashed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
• Recognized only two genders in federal policies.
• Reclassified federal employees to make them easier to fire.
4. Pardons and Legal Actions:
• Issued pardons for approximately 1,500 individuals convicted in relation to the January 6 Capitol riot.
• Ordered an end to federal cases against political opponents of the previous administration.
5. Trade and International Relations:
• Proposed tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods.
• Confirmed the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO).
6. Miscellaneous:
• Rebranded the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America."
• Renamed Denali back to Mount McKinley.
• Launched the Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Elon Musk, to reduce bureaucratic expenditures.

Potential Effects on the Country:

• Immigration Policies: The deployment of troops and stricter border controls aim to reduce illegal immigration but may strain relations with neighboring countries and face legal challenges, especially concerning the termination of birthright citizenship.
• Energy Policies: Lifting restrictions on oil and gas exploration could boost domestic production but may raise environmental concerns and conflict with global climate initiatives.
• Federal Employment: Freezing hiring and reducing DEI programs could impact workforce morale and diversity within federal agencies.
• Pardons: The mass pardoning of January 6 offenders is likely to be contentious, potentially leading to public outcry and legal debates.

Feasibility and Implementation:

While executive orders can be enacted unilaterally by the President, several of these directives may face significant legal hurdles:

• Ending Birthright Citizenship: This challenges the 14th Amendment and is expected to be contested in courts.
• Reclassification of Federal Employees: Making it easier to fire federal employees may face opposition from unions and could be subject to legal scrutiny.
• Withdrawal from International Agreements: Exiting organizations like the WHO involves procedural steps and may not be immediate.

Impact on Chicago:

As a major urban center with a diverse population, Chicago could experience direct effects from these executive orders:

• Immigration Policies: Stricter immigration enforcement may affect Chicago's immigrant communities, leading to potential legal and social challenges within the city.
• Energy Policies: Changes in energy production and environmental regulations could influence local industries and environmental quality in the region.
• Federal Employment: Reductions in federal hiring and DEI initiatives may impact federal employees and operations within Chicago.

In summary, while President Trump's executive orders set a clear policy direction, their implementation and impact will depend on legal interpretations, administrative processes, and potential challenges at both federal and local levels.