On his first day in office, President Joe Biden issued several executive orders, memoranda, and proclamations—unilateral actions that did not require legislative approval. These directives were designed to reverse various Trump administration policies and address key policy areas.
- He mandated a “100 Days Masking Challenge,” which urged Americans to wear masks and required masks and social distancing on federal property .
- Biden also signed an order to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, a move that became effective in 30 days, and
- he revoked the federal permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline, effectively stopping its construction.
- In immigration policy, Biden ended the travel restrictions on several Muslim-majority countries, effectively reversing what had been known as the “Muslim travel ban.”
- He issued a memorandum to fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, reaffirming protections for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
- Additionally, he declared an end to the national emergency that had allowed federal funds to be redirected toward the U.S.-Mexico border wall, halting additional construction.
- Biden directed federal agencies to assess their policies with an eye toward advancing racial equity and supporting underserved communities. this affected all contract and hiring.
- He instructed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to enforce stricter health and safety protocols for workplaces, especially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Work from home.
- Biden also reversed a previous directive that excluded undocumented immigrants from the 2020 census count. By ensuring all individuals are counted, including undocumented immigrants, Biden’s action impacts not only the distribution of federal funds but also congressional representation and the Electoral College. This approach means that states with higher populations of undocumented immigrants may gain additional seats in the House of Representatives and greater influence in the Electoral College, affecting the balance of political power.
- He issued protections for LGBTQ+ individuals by extending federal anti-discrimination provisions to cover sexual orientation and gender identity, based on the Supreme Court’s Bostock decision.
- Additionally, he implemented a freeze on Trump-era regulations passed in the administration’s final days, temporarily pausing their implementation for review. these were never reviewed.
These executive actions, taken without congressional approval, underscored Biden’s use of executive authority to enact immediate changes clearly are in the realm of appearing to be “Dictorial”
