Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border of the United States

This Order directs the Secretary of Defense to order as many units of the Armed Forces as he determines appropriate, including the Ready Reserve and the National Guard, to support the activities of the Secretary of Homeland Security in obtaining complete operational control of the southern border. The Secretary of Defense is also directed to provide detention space, transportation—including aircraft—and other logistical services in support of border enforcement operations. The Order directs construction of additional physical barriers along the southern border, in coordination with any governor of a state willing to assist.

It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female. It is the Administration’s position that sexes are not interchangeable and that “sex” is not a “synonym for and does not include the term ‘gender identity.’” When administering or enforcing sex-based distinctions, every agency and all federal employees acting in an official capacity on behalf of their agency shall use the term “sex” and not “gender” in all applicable federal policies and documents. The EO further defines “gender identity” as “an internal and subjective sense of self” and directs agencies to take steps to eradicate use of the term and to implement regulations, guidance, forms and communications to comply with this order.

The Order requires all executive departments and agencies to deliver emergency price relief, consistent with applicable law, to the American people and increase the prosperity of the American worker. This will include actions related to: lowering the cost of housing and expanding housing supply; eliminating unnecessary administrative expenses and rent-seeking practices that increase health care costs; and creating employment opportunities. 

This Order declares a national emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to designate certain international cartels and other organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations or Specially Designated Global Terrorists.  The Order also requires the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to make operational preparations to invoke the Alien Enemies Act in relation to the “qualifying invasion or predatory incursion” against the U.S. by these organization and to prepare facilities to expedite the removal of those designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations or Specially Designated Global Terrorists under the Order.

The Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), assisted by the Attorney General and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), shall coordinate the termination of all discriminatory programs, including DEI and “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the federal government, under whatever name they appear (including in relation to “environmental justice”).

Orders a hiring freeze of federal civilian employees, to be applied throughout the executive branch. As part of this freeze, no federal civilian position that is vacant at noon on January 20, 2025, may be filled, and no new position may be created except as otherwise provided for in the EO or other applicable law. The freeze does not apply to military personnel of the armed forces or to positions related to immigration enforcement, national security or public safety. It also purports to not adversely impact the provision of Social Security, Medicare or veterans’ benefits and allows the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to grant exemptions where necessary.

The Order rescinds executive orders from the Biden administration that are contrary to the values President Trump has supported in his campaign. The revocations focus on the Covid-19 pandemic, use of diversity, equity & inclusion, climate and immigration policies. 

This EO instructs the Attorney General to delay enforcement of the TikTok ban for 75 days. The Attorney General will issue a letter to each provider stating that there has been no violation of the statute and that there is no liability for conduct that occurred between January 19, 2025 and January 20, 2025, when the EO was issued.  During the forthcoming 75-day period, the Trump administration intends to “determine the appropriate course forward” while “avoiding an abrupt shutdown of a communications platform used by millions of Americans.”