Newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump wasted no time showing everyone who’s boss by signing a bevy of executive orders, some of which will have devastating consequences for Americans and the world.

Now, let’s talk about executive orders for a second. These are directives presidents use to push policies without Congress (their version of parliament). Trump’s been prolific, but critics argue he’s overreaching, and the courts may have the final say. 

Here are some of the most concerning ones: 

  1. F*** the environment: Declaring a national energy emergency and a return to fossil fuels, plus ending the Green New Deal – a collection of the Biden administration’s measures aimed at boosting green jobs, regulating the fossil fuel industry and limiting pollution. Additionally, Trump has tasked the US ambassador to the UN to submit a formal request to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement.
  2. Border emergency: Trump has declared a national emergency at the country’s Southern border with Mexico, with a promise that millions of “criminal aliens” will be deported. As part of this, he has ordered the deployment of military troops to enhance border security.
  3. Muslim ban 2.0: Trump resurrected his campaign promise to bar travellers from Muslim-majority countries. Outrage? Immediate. Legal battles? Already brewing.
  4. Goodbye, WHO: Trump has ordered the US to withdraw from the World Health Organisation due to the organisation’s “mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic”. 

He also signed an order pardoning 1500 of his supporters who were part of the attack on the Capitol on 6 January 2021 in a bid to overturn the result of the 2020 election, which Trump lost to Biden. 😮

There are voices of sanity. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, a leading voice in the Episcopal Church, delivered a striking if softly-spoken rebuke directly to Trump as he and his family attended a service at Washington National Cathedral following the inauguration. She pleaded with Trump to have compassion for migrants and LGBTQI+ people, criticising his rhetoric and early policies as “morally indefensible”. Her remarks drew praise from faith leaders and advocates across the political spectrum. Trump, of course, later dismissed her as a “so-called Bishop” and a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater.” He described the service as “very boring” and demanded an apology from her. 

We’re just glad someone is calling him out.