As of May 2025, President Donald Trump's second term has been marked by a series of executive actions and policy shifts that have raised concerns about authoritarianism. These measures often concentrate power in the executive branch, challenge established legal norms, and target specific social groups. Below is an overview of some of the most significant actions taken thus far:
🏛️ Executive Power & Government Structure
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Executive Order 14215 – Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies (Feb 18, 2025)
This order mandates that independent agencies, such as the SEC and FCC, submit significant regulations to the White House for review before publication and directs all executive branch officials to follow legal interpretations issued by the president or attorney general. -
Reinstatement of Schedule F (Jan 20, 2025)
Trump reclassified thousands of federal employees as political hires, making it easier to fire them. This move targets the so-called "deep state" and aims to replace career civil servants with loyalists. -
Executive Order 14160 – Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship (Jan 20, 2025)
This order challenges the 14th Amendment by seeking to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented or temporarily present immigrants. It has faced legal challenges and has been blocked by multiple federal judges. -
Executive Order 14215 – Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies (Feb 18, 2025)
This order directs independent agencies to regularly consult with the White House and submit significant regulations for review before publication, consolidating executive control over regulatory processes.
⚖️ Civil Rights & Social Policy
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Executive Order 14168 – Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism (Jan 20, 2025)
This order withdraws federal recognition for transgender individuals, mandates that gender be recognized as a binary determined at birth, and prohibits gender-affirming care and self-identification on federal documents. It has faced legal challenges and temporary restraining orders. -
Executive Order 14173 – Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity (Jan 21, 2025)
This order revokes previous executive orders that required federal contractors to refrain from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, effectively ending DEI programs in federal contracting.
🗳️ Electoral Integrity & Judicial Independence
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Challenges to Birthright Citizenship
Through Executive Order 14160, Trump has sought to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented or temporarily present immigrants, challenging the 14th Amendment. The order has been blocked by multiple federal judges. -
Criticism of Judicial Independence
Trump has suggested defying court orders and impeaching justices who rule against him, undermining the independence of the judiciary.
🌍 Foreign Policy & Global Influence
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Engagement with Designated Terrorist Groups
Trump has met with groups officially labeled as terrorists by the U.S., lifted sanctions on Syria, and orchestrated truces and hostage deals excluding key allies like Israel. -
Rollback of PEPFAR and Support for Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation Abroad
The administration has cut funding to the PEPFAR program, which provided AIDS relief in the Global South, and has supported anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in countries like Uganda and Kenya.
These actions reflect a broader strategy to consolidate executive power, challenge established legal norms, and implement policies that critics argue undermine democratic principles. While some of these measures have faced legal challenges, their implementation marks a significant shift in the balance of power within the U.S. government.
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