Department of Research, Studies and International News  23-01-2025

When Donald Trump assumed the presidency on January 20, 2017, his first day in office marked the beginning of a controversial and transformative administration. Trump, a political outsider with no prior government or military experience, took immediate steps to signal his policy priorities and fulfill campaign promises. Among his first actions were the signing of several executive orders and memorandums aimed at reshaping U.S. policies on healthcare, trade, and federal regulations. This study explores these actions in detail, analyzing their implications and the broader context of Trump’s first day in office.

1- Executive Order on the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Minimizing the Economic Burden of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Pending Repeal

Trump’s first executive order targeted the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as “Obamacare.” This order signaled the administration’s intent to dismantle the ACA, a cornerstone of the Obama presidency, which had expanded healthcare coverage to millions of Americans.

Key Provisions:

Directed federal agencies to use their discretion to waive, defer, or delay the enforcement of ACA provisions that imposed a financial burden on individuals, states, or businesses.

Encouraged the promotion of a more “free and open” healthcare market by reducing regulatory restrictions.

Paved the way for dismantling ACA mandates, such as the individual mandate, which required citizens to maintain health insurance or face tax penalties.

Implications:

This executive order marked the start of Trump’s long campaign to repeal and replace the ACA. While the order did not immediately change the law, it created uncertainty in the insurance markets, with insurers expressing concerns about regulatory stability. The directive also emboldened Congressional Republicans to push forward with legislative efforts to repeal the ACA, though these efforts faced significant challenges.

2- Federal Hiring Freeze Memorandum

On his first day, Trump signed a presidential memorandum implementing a federal hiring freeze, excluding military personnel.

Key Provisions:

Prohibited federal agencies from hiring new employees or creating new positions, except for national security or public safety purposes.

Directed the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop a long-term plan to reduce the size of the federal workforce through attrition.

Implications:

The hiring freeze was intended to reduce government spending and align with Trump’s campaign promise to “drain the swamp.” Critics, however, argued that the freeze disproportionately affected essential government services and led to understaffing in critical agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The policy also drew criticism for increasing the reliance on private contractors, which in some cases proved costlier than direct federal employment.

3- Withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

Overview:

While the formal withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was finalized on January 23, 2017, Trump’s first day in office included discussions and preparations for this move. The TPP was a major trade agreement negotiated under President Obama, involving 12 Pacific Rim countries.

Key Provisions (Formalized Days Later):

Declared the U.S. withdrawal from the TPP negotiations and agreement.

Reaffirmed Trump’s commitment to bilateral trade agreements rather than multilateral deals.

Implications:

The withdrawal from the TPP was framed as a victory for American workers, with Trump arguing that the agreement harmed U.S. manufacturing and labor interests. However, critics contended that the decision ceded economic influence in the Asia-Pacific region to China, which sought to fill the leadership void through its own trade initiatives. Economists also debated the long-term impact on U.S. exports and global trade relations.

4- Regulatory Freeze Pending Review

Overview:

Trump’s Chief of Staff, Reince Priebus, issued a memorandum to federal agencies to temporarily freeze all pending regulations that had not yet been finalized.

Key Provisions:

Halted the implementation of new federal regulations until reviewed by Trump’s appointees.

Delayed regulations that had been published but not yet taken effect.

Implications:

This action aimed to give the new administration time to review Obama-era regulations and align them with Trump’s deregulatory agenda. While this freeze was a standard move for incoming administrations, it underscored Trump’s broader goal of reducing what he perceived as burdensome regulations on businesses. Environmental and consumer advocacy groups criticized the freeze, citing concerns about delays in protections for public health and safety.

5- Reinstatement of the “Mexico City Policy”

Overview:

Although officially reinstated on January 23, 2017, Trump’s team began preparing for the reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy on his first day in office. This policy, also known as the “Global Gag Rule,” prohibits U.S. federal funding for international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that provide or promote abortion services.

Key Provisions (Formalized Days Later):

Applied restrictions to U.S. foreign aid funding, particularly targeting family planning and reproductive health programs.

Expanded the policy to cover nearly all global health assistance provided by the U.S.

Implications:

Supporters praised the move as a reaffirmation of pro-life values, aligning with conservative priorities. Opponents argued that the policy limited access to critical healthcare services, particularly in developing countries, and exacerbated public health challenges, including maternal mortality and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Analysis of Trump’s First-Day Actions

Trump’s initial actions in office reflected his populist campaign themes, prioritizing deregulation, economic protectionism, and the rollback of progressive policies implemented by his predecessor. While these measures demonstrated his intent to disrupt the status quo, they also revealed the challenges of governing in a polarized political environment.

Broader Context and Legacy

The first-day actions of Trump’s presidency set the tone for an administration characterized by aggressive executive orders and contentious policymaking. These moves underscored his determination to reshape the federal government and assert American sovereignty on the global stage. However, they also highlighted the limitations of unilateral executive action, as many initiatives faced legal challenges and opposition from Congress and advocacy groups.

In hindsight, Trump’s first-day decisions were emblematic of his governance style—bold, divisive, and steeped in controversy. These initial steps continue to be debated for their impact on the trajectory of U.S. policy and governance.