President-elect Joe Biden plans to take 17 executive actions during his first hours in office Wednesday, moving faster and more aggressively to dismantle his predecessor’s legacy than any other modern president.
Biden will sign a series of decrees, memoranda and directives for the agencies, taking his first steps to tackle the coronavirus pandemic and undo some of Donald Trump’s signature policies.
With one stroke of the pen, it will halt construction of Trump’s border wall, reverse his travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries, and adopt progressive policies on the environment and diversity that Trump spent four years blocking.
Biden also plans to reverse several of Trump’s attempts to withdraw from international agreements, rejoin the Paris climate accord, and halt the United States’ departure from the World Health Organization, where Dr. Anthony Fauci, the leading disease expert government infectious diseases, will lead the United States Delegation.
His first action will be to impose a mask mandate on federal property, a break in approach to dealing with the pandemic from Trump, who repeatedly downplayed the virus. It will also install a coronavirus response coordinator to oversee Biden’s White House efforts to distribute vaccines and medical supplies.
Melania Trump: Thank you for your love 0:49Biden will sign the decrees and memos in the Oval Office on Wednesday afternoon, his incoming press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters. Psaki and other top Biden officials said the first day’s actions are just one part of what will be a series of moves to undo Trump’s policies and implement Biden’s campaign promises in his first weeks in office.
Coronavirus
Biden launches a “100-Day Mask Challenge” that asks Americans to wear masks for 100 days. It requires masks and physical distancing in federal buildings, on federal land, and by government contractors, and urges state and local governments to do the same.
Stops America’s Withdrawal from the World Health Organization, and Dr. Anthony Fauci Becomes Head of Delegation to WHO
Creates the position of covid-19 response coordinator, reporting directly to Biden and managing efforts to produce and distribute vaccines and medical equipment.
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Economy
Extends the existing national moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until at least March 31
Extends the existing pause in student loan payments and interest for Americans with federal student loans until at least September 30
Environment
It rejoins the Paris climate agreement, a process that will take 30 days
Cancels Keystone XL Pipeline and Orders Agencies to Review and Reverse More Than 100 Trump Actions on the Environment
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Equity
Revokes Trump administration’s 1776 Commission, orders agencies to review their actions to ensure racial equity
Prevents discrimination in the workplace on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris attend a tribute to the victims of covid-19 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on Tuesday, January 19. They were joined by their spouses, Jill Biden and Doug Emhoff, respectively. (Credit: Tom Brenner / Reuters)
Census
Requires non-citizens to be included in the census and the distribution of representatives in Congress
Immigration does not strengthen DACA after Trump’s efforts to undo protections for undocumented people who entered the country as children
Immigration
Reverses Trump Administration Restrictions on Entry to the United States for Passport Holders from Seven Muslim-Majority Countries
Undo Trump’s expansion of immigration law enforcement within the United States
Construction of the border wall halts upon completion of the national emergency declaration used to finance it
Extends deferrals of deportation and work authorizations for Liberians with a safe haven in the United States until June 30, 2022
ethic
Requires executive branch appointees to sign an ethics pledge that prohibits them from acting in their personal interest and requires them to defend the independence of the Department of Justice
Regulation
Directs OMB Director to Develop Recommendations to Modernize Regulatory Review and Roll Back Trump’s Regulatory Approval Process