Six Key Executive Orders from Trump to Watch
Donald Trump has signed major executive orders since returning to the presidency, taking swift action on some of his most talked-about campaign promises.
Among the most notable are strict immigration policies and rollbacks of climate-related rules. However, even the president has limits to his power, and some of these actions face legal or political challenges before they can fully take effect.
Here are six of Trump's most controversial executive orders, along with expert analysis on whether they are likely to succeed.
1. Labeling Drug Cartels as 'Foreign Terrorist Organizations'
Status: Difficult to Implement
What the Order Does:
This executive order classifies drug cartels as terrorist organizations, arguing that their violence and illegal drug trafficking pose a national security risk to the U.S. It also requires government agencies to recommend which groups should be designated as such within 14 days.
Challenges:
Labeling cartels as terrorist groups could lead to legal consequences for American citizens and businesses with indirect connections to them.
It may damage U.S. relations with Mexico, which opposes such a designation and insists on maintaining its sovereignty.
The order could pave the way for military action against these organizations in Mexico or other countries, a move that would be highly controversial.
Potential Impact:
The U.S. could use more resources and stronger legal measures to target cartel operations.
Drug dealers, users, and even extorted businesses could technically be prosecuted for "aiding terrorism."
Mexico and other nations may push back hard, creating diplomatic tensions.
2. Leaving the Paris Climate Agreement
Status: Likely to Happen
What the Order Does:
The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations has been instructed to submit an immediate request to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, arguing that it doesn’t align with American economic interests.
Challenges:
Any country can withdraw, but the process takes time—about a year.
Trump previously withdrew in 2017, but the U.S. rejoined under President Biden in 2021.
A new withdrawal would likely be finalized by 2026.
Potential Impact:
The U.S. is the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases (after China), and pulling out could weaken global efforts to combat climate change.
Past withdrawals have hurt America's credibility in climate discussions.
Trump’s move aligns with his goal to boost domestic oil and gas production.
3. Ending Birthright Citizenship
Status: Unlikely to Happen
What the Order Does:
This order seeks to stop granting automatic U.S. citizenship to children born in the U.S. if their parents are in the country illegally or temporarily. It may also involve withholding passports or other documents from those deemed ineligible.
Challenges:
Birthright citizenship is protected under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which has been upheld for over 150 years.
Legal battles have already begun, with courts expected to challenge this order as unconstitutional.
Any final ruling would likely be made by the U.S. Supreme Court, a process that could take years.
Potential Impact:
If somehow enforced, the order could result in mass deportations, including people who were born and raised in the U.S.
The legal process will be long and complex, meaning changes won’t happen quickly.
4. Withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO)
Status: Likely to Happen
What the Order Does:
Trump wants the U.S. to exit the WHO, arguing that the organization mishandled COVID-19 and is too influenced by China. The order also criticizes the U.S.'s financial contributions to the WHO.
Challenges:
The process takes years; an official exit wouldn’t happen until 2026 at the earliest.
Congress would have to approve the withdrawal, and Trump’s Republican Party has only a slim majority. If some Republicans oppose the move, it could be blocked.
Potential Impact:
The U.S. is the largest funder of the WHO, providing nearly 20% of its budget. If funding is cut, it could severely impact global health efforts.
Scientists worry that leaving the WHO could isolate the U.S. from critical health programs, including flu vaccine development and pandemic response strategies.
5. Renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the ‘Gulf of America’
Status: Possible but Limited Impact
What the Order Does:
Trump has directed government agencies to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" on official U.S. documents.
Challenges:
Other countries, including Mexico, are not obligated to recognize the name change.
Major platforms like Google Maps and international organizations may continue using "Gulf of Mexico."
Potential Impact:
Mexico has dismissed the change, with President Claudia Sheinbaum stating that the name won’t change for the rest of the world.
The move could create diplomatic friction between the U.S. and Mexico.
6. Recognizing Only Two Sexes, Male and Female
Status: Facing Legal Challenges
What the Order Does:
The order states that U.S. government agencies will recognize only two sexes—male and female—rather than allowing for nonbinary or transgender identities in legal documents.
Challenges:
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have already vowed to challenge the order in court.
Some states, like Kansas and Montana, have already passed laws defining sex as biological, but enforcing this federally could be complicated.
The Supreme Court, with its conservative majority, could ultimately decide on the issue.
Potential Impact:
Prisons, shelters, and other institutions would be legally required to segregate people based on sex assigned at birth.
Official documents like passports and visas would no longer offer a nonbinary "X" option.
LGBTQ+ activists argue this could put transgender individuals at greater risk of violence and discrimination.
Final Thoughts
While Trump has signed these executive orders quickly, many of them will face legal and political obstacles before they can be fully enforced. Some, like withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and WHO, are likely to happen, while others—such as ending birthright citizenship—face constitutional roadblocks. The coming months will determine which of these orders stand the test of time.
