Breaking down the executive actions Trump is using to govern

Summary

Consider This from NPR: Breaking Down the Executive Actions Trump Is Using to Govern
Release Date: January 21, 2025

In this episode of NPR's Consider This, the hosts delve into the rapid and sweeping executive actions undertaken by President Donald Trump following his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. The discussion navigates through Trump's immediate policy reversals, his strategies on immigration and trade, and the broader implications of his governance approach. Featuring insights from NPR correspondents Kerry Johnson, Tom Dreisbach, and Ari Shapiro, the episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the current political landscape shaped by Trump's executive decisions.

1. Immediate Executive Actions on Inauguration Day

A Flurry of Pardons and Policy Reversals

Donald Trump's return to the White House was marked by a swift cascade of executive actions aimed at dismantling the previous administration's policies and fulfilling his own campaign promises. Within hours of his swearing-in at the Capital One Arena in D.C.'s Chinatown, Trump began executing his agenda.

• Rescinding Biden-Era Orders: As Ron Rudson highlights, Trump rescinded 78 executive actions from the Biden administration, encompassing executive orders and presidential memoranda. Trump emphasized the significance of these actions, stating at [00:07] “Donald Trump has not wasted any time getting to work…”.

• National Emergency Declarations: Among the key actions, Trump declared a national energy emergency and a national emergency at the southern border, signaling a hardline stance on immigration and energy policies.

• Pardons Related to January 6th: One of the most controversial moves was Trump's decision to grant clemency to over 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the January 6th Capitol attack. This included both pardons for nonviolent offenders and commutations for those who had committed violent acts.

  Donald Trump [00:50]: “So this is January 6th. These are the hostages. Approximately 1500 for a pardon. Yes, full pardon.”

2. Pardons and Clemency for January 6th Defendants

Impact on Legal Proceedings and Public Sentiment

The extensive pardoning of individuals involved in the Capitol riot has sparked significant debate and concern among legal experts, law enforcement, and the public.

• Release of High-Profile Figures: Notably, Enrique Tarrio, the former chairman of the Proud Boys, was released after serving a 22-year sentence. Trump affirmed Tarrio's reintegration into society:

  Donald Trump [01:16]: “Enrique is looking forward to moving forward with his life and being a productive member of society.”

• Distinction Between Pardons and Commutations: Kerry Johnson explains the legal differences, noting that while pardons restore certain rights, commutations merely reduce the severity of penalties without nullifying the conviction.

  Kerry Johnson [04:26]: “The vast majority of people won full and complete pardons, meaning not only are they released from prison, but they get certain rights back, like voting or owning a firearm.”

• Prosecutorial and Victim Reactions: Former U.S. Attorney Matt Graves criticized the pardons, emphasizing that many defendants had already served their time or received significant sentences. Victims, such as former Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Ganel, expressed feelings of betrayal and concern for safety.

  Aquilino Ganel [08:08]: “He basically does not understand how Trump and his supporters can claim they back the blue, support law enforcement while also issuing these pardons.”

  Matt Graves [07:05]: “There's a robust public record, more than 250 trials, exhibits, guilty pleas. And he says those can't be wiped away.”

• Potential for State-Level Prosecutions: Despite federal pardons, local and state authorities may pursue additional charges against defendants, indicating that the legal ramifications of the pardons are not entirely settled.

  Kerry Johnson [10:32]: “Some district attorneys and state attorneys general may be looking to make new cases against some of these January 6th defendants.”

3. Economic and Trade Policies: Tariffs on Canada and Mexico

Threat of a New Trade War

President Trump's approach to trade, particularly with neighboring countries Canada and Mexico, has reignited fears of a potential trade war reminiscent of his first term.

• Proposed Tariffs: Trump signaled his intention to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, citing concerns over immigration and drug trafficking.

  Donald Trump [11:35]: “We're thinking in terms of 25% on Mexico and Canada because they're allowing vast numbers of people. Canada's very bad abuser, also vast numbers of people to come in and fentanyl to come in.”

• Implications for Existing Trade Agreements: The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), signed during Trump's previous presidency, is under review, and the proposed tariffs could strain this relationship.

  Eder Peralta [12:36]: “That's right. It's called the U. S. Mexico Canada Agreement, also known as USMCA, and it's a trade deal that the Trump administration signed when it was last in office.”

• Responses from Affected Nations: Canada has hinted at retaliatory tariffs, as expressed by Anita Anand, a key Canadian cabinet minister.

  Anita Anand [13:51]: “Multiple rounds of counter tariffs against the United States, which we will not hesitate to use if necessary.”

• Economic Consequences: Economists warn that these tariffs could act as indirect taxes on American consumers, potentially leading to increased inflation and strained international relations.

  Ron Rudson [14:32]: “Most economists say that tariffs actually end up as taxes on consumers. And some warn that if Trump goes through with this all, it could lead to higher inflation.”

4. Immigration Policies and Border Control

Swift Changes and Humanitarian Concerns

Trump's executive actions have dramatically altered the U.S. immigration landscape, focusing on reducing illegal immigration and tightening border controls.

• National Emergency Declaration: By declaring a national emergency at the southern border, Trump aims to reassert U.S. sovereignty and implement stringent immigration measures.

  Matt Graves [15:16]: “President Trump has declared a national emergency along this border, saying that America's sovereignty is under attack.”

• Impact on Migrants: The shutdown of the CBP1 app, which facilitated legal crossings and asylum applications, has left migrants in a state of uncertainty and despair.

  Matt Graves [15:16]: “Yesterday, Trump shut down the only real path toward crossing the U.S. legally. And that was this thing called the CBP1 app.”

• On-the-Ground Observations: NPR correspondent Tom Dreisbach reports a near-empty border, attributing the quietness to both effective prior administration policies and the immediate uncertainty caused by Trump's new measures.

  Matt Graves [16:28]: “It's quiet because migrants have no idea what to do.”

• Human Stories: Migrants like Maro from Venezuela express their anguish and confusion over the abrupt policy changes that have nullified their legal crossing appointments.

  Maro [17:00]: “Why so much pain?”

• Mexican Government's Response: Mexico is bracing for the potential influx of deported migrants and the broader implications of Trump's immigration crackdown.

  Matt Graves [18:00]: “They're worried that Trump has promised mass deportations of undocumented migrants, and that could mean a lot of Mexicans.”

5. Conclusion and Future Implications

President Trump's aggressive use of executive actions marks a decisive shift in U.S. governance, aiming to fulfill campaign promises swiftly but stirring significant controversy and concern. The immediate effects on immigration, trade, and the legal repercussions of mass pardons highlight a tumultuous period that could redefine America's political and economic landscape.

As the administration moves forward, the responses from both domestic institutions and international partners will play a crucial role in shaping the effectiveness and sustainability of these policies. The episode underscores the complexity and far-reaching consequences of executive authority in modern American politics.

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This summary is based on the transcript provided and does not include advertisements, production credits, or non-content segments from the original podcast episode.

Transcript

[Donald Trump]

The golden age of America begins right now.

[Ailsa Chang]

Donald Trump has not wasted any time getting to work now that he is back in the White House. He started within hours after being sworn in as the 47th president at Capital One arena in D.C. s Chinatown, Trump began making good on many second term promises.

[Donald Trump]

Why don't you say what I'm signing?

[Ron Rudson]

Sure. The first item that President Trump is signing is the rescission of 78 Biden era executive actions, executive orders, presidential memoranda and others.

[Ailsa Chang]

And he didn't stop there. On the evening of Inauguration Day, Trump sat behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office and continued putting pen to paper, signing executive action after executive action.

[Donald Trump]

So this is January 6th. These are the hostages. Approximately 1500 for a pardon. Yes, full pardon.

[Ron Rudson]

This next order relates to the definition of birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment of the United States.

[Donald Trump]

That's a good one. Birthright. That's a big one.

[Ron Rudson]

This next one, sir, is a declaration of a national energy emergency.

[Donald Trump]

What is this one?

[Ron Rudson]

Withdrawing from the World Health Organization, sir.

[Donald Trump]

Ooh, that's a big one.

[Ron Rudson]

Protecting women from radical gender ideologies, sir. This is a proclamation declaring a national emergency at the southern border of the United States.

[Donald Trump]

That's a big one. A lot of big ones, huh? Our country is going to be based on merit again. Can you believe it?

[Ailsa Chang]

Consider this. There has been a deluge of actions, orders and pronouncements during the President's first day. We break down what they are and how exactly things are changing.

[Kerry Johnson]

Foreign.

[Ailsa Chang]

From npr, I'm Ailsa Chang.

[Ron Rudson]

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[Juana Summers]

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[Ailsa Chang]

It'S consider this from NPR. Over the next several minutes, we're going to break down what Trump has already done on immigration and tariffs. But before we get there, we're going to start with the actions Trump has taken to help those who were prosecuted for their role in the January 6th attack on the US Capitol. The President granted clemency to all of the more than 1500 people charged in connection with the attack. The action included pardons for nonviolent offenders as well as those who assaulted police officers. Trump also commuted the sentences of 14 members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys. NPR justice correspondent Kerry Johnson and NPR investigative correspondent Tom Dreisbach spoke to my co host Ari Shapiro.

[Tom Dreisbach]

Carrie, let's start with you. This was a massive criminal investigation, more than 1500 cases which Trump just ended. What happens now?

[Kerry Johnson]

Already we're seeing people being released from prisons and jails, including Enrique Tarrio. He's the former chairman of the far right Proud Boys group and he had been serving a prison term of 22 years. He's now free, according to his lawyer, Nayib Hassan.

[Donald Trump]

I can tell you Enrique is looking forward to moving forward with his life and being a productive member of society.

[Kerry Johnson]

Several other members of the Proud Boys also won pardons and some had their sentences commuted.

[Tom Dreisbach]

Explain the difference between these pardons and commutations.

[Kerry Johnson]

The vast majority of people won full and complete pardons, meaning not only are they released from prison, but they get certain rights back, like voting or owning a firearm. Trump commuted or shortened the sentences of 14 other people, including Stuart Rhodes. He's the founder of the far right Oath Keepers group. Rhodes was convicted of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 18 years in prison. The judge said he was an ongoing threat to this country and the very fabric of our democracy. Stuart Rhodes was released early this morning. He's been spotted outside the D.C. jail this afternoon waiting for the release of other defendants tomorrow.

[Tom Dreisbach]

There had been a sense that Trump might pardon only the nonviolent defendants. Vice President J.D. vance actually said obviously, in his words, people who assaulted police should not be pardoned. But Trump pardoned with a broad brush. Remind people about the violence that day.

[Ari Shapiro]

Yeah, rioters brought a lot of weapons, pepper spray, bear spray, metal poles, bats, stolen police batons. Several actually had loaded handguns, though thankfully they did not shoot anyone. More than 140 police officers were injured. And in one of the most severe assaults. That's really stuck with me. A rioter took a stunt gun and drove it into the neck of police officer Michael Fanon. He then suffered a heart attack. He was worried he was going to be killed. Multiple officers have described being crushed, feeling choked by the pepper spray, thinking they are about to die. And some rioters celebrated the violence, like Ryan Nichols. He wore a bulletproof vest on January 6. He was armed with a crowbar. He pleaded guilty to spraying police officers in the face with pepper spray. And on the night of January 6th. So after the riot, he recorded himself calling for a second American revolution.

[Ron Rudson]

So if you want to know where Ryan Nichols stands, Ryan Nichols stands for violence. Ryan Nichols is done allowing his country to be stolen.

[Kerry Johnson]

And I understand that the first Revolutionary.

[Ron Rudson]

War, folks, it was violent. Well, guess what? This second Revolutionary War right now, the American Revolutionary War that's going on right now, it started today. It's going to be violent.

[Ari Shapiro]

That was ryan Nichols on January 6th. He was sentenced later to five years in prison. And now he is among those violent defendants who received a full and unconditional pardon.

[Tom Dreisbach]

Kerry, given how much the Justice Department under Merrick Garland had pushed for these prosecutions, how are those prosecutors feeling now?

[Kerry Johnson]

It's the U.S. attorney's office here in D.C. that handled most of those cases. And I reached out today to Matt Graves, who led that office under President Biden. Graves says most of these defendants had already pleaded guilty and served their time. So the pardons actually benefit the most violent criminals, the ones who got the most punishment. Graves rejected the idea that this whole effort, which was really the biggest investigation in Justice Department history, that the effort came to nothing. He says there's a robust public record, more than 250 trials, exhibits, guilty pleas. And he says those can't be wiped away. And as for releasing so many people who committed serious crimes, here's what Graves had to say.

[Ron Rudson]

So, as a prosecutor, we always have concerns about individuals, when they're released, going out and committing similar crimes to the crimes they committed in the past. Obviously, those concerns are heightened if there's a perception that their conduct has been approved by the state.

[Tom Dreisbach]

Tom, you've been talking to police officers who were assaulted on January 6th and family members. What have you heard?

[Ari Shapiro]

Well, the words I've been hearing are betrayal. Shocked but not surprised was what former Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Ganel told me. He was repeatedly assaulted on January 6th to have two surgeries, actually, because of the injuries he sustained. He still has ptsd. And he was set to go to court, actually, for the sentencing of another rioter who was convicted of assaulting him. But then after the pardons, he got the call that's off as a crime victim. All day he's been getting notifications from the Bureau of Prisons that other people who assaulted him are being released. He said he basically does not understand how Trump and his supporters can claim they back the blue, support law enforcement while also issuing these pardons. And he's concerned about his and his family's safety, still dealing with threats for speaking out about January 6th.

[Donald Trump]

The very same people who claim to.

[Ari Shapiro]

Support the police are the one making.

[Donald Trump]

Harassment calls threatened on social media, all.

[Ron Rudson]

Because we did our job.

[Tom Dreisbach]

So, Tom, what is next for some of these riot defendants?

[Ari Shapiro]

Well, keep in mind, most people like Kerry mentioned, already served their sentences. The median sentence was less than a year. Many people got no jail time at all. So it's really the people convicted of the most serious crimes, seditious conspiracy, violent felonies, they're getting the most relief fear. For people convicted of felonies, a pardon means they get their gun rights back. For one thing, the rioter actually widely described as the QAnon Shaman, he stormed the Capitol while wearing the furs and wearing horns. People might remember him. He actually posted on social media that he was going to go out and buy some guns now that he's been pardoned.

[Tom Dreisbach]

And Kerry, in many cases, a pardon represents the end of the story. But I understand that might not be the case here. You have some new information on that.

[Kerry Johnson]

I talked a short while ago with Larry Krasner, the district attorney in Philadelphia. He's been doing some research about these January 6th defendants, including the former president of the Proud Boys chapter in Philadelphia. Krasner says Trump's pardons and clemencies apply only to federal crimes, not to state charges. And there may have been crimes committed in Philadelphia by some of the most violent and serious offenders. There are going to be challenges here to bringing state cases, things like double jeopardy and what actually happened in Pennsylvania versus what happened in D.C. like steps to plan an alleged conspiracy. But the bottom line is some district attorneys and state attorneys general may be looking to make new cases against some of these January 6th defendants. And they may be the front line to policing political violence in the coming years.

[Ailsa Chang]

That was NPR's Ari Shapiro, Carrie Johnson, and Tom Dreisburg. In his first hours in office, Trump set a deadline for when he will impose 25% tariffs on goods from US neighbors Canada and Mexico. And as NPR White House correspondent Asma Khalid told my co host Juana Summers, the move could set off a trade war with the two countries that had entered a trade deal with Trump during his first term. Here's Juana and Asma.

[Asma Khalid]

Asma, start if you can, by telling us more about what Trump is saying he's going to do.

[Eder Peralta]

Trump, you know, sees tariffs as both a negotiation tactic and as way to raise revenue. He had been threatening sweeping tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and trade experts thought he might do that on day one, but we didn't see that. Instead, he signed an executive action calling on a bunch of federal agencies to investigate existing trade policy and send him their findings by April. But last night, he also said this.

[Donald Trump]

We're thinking in terms of 25% on Mexico and Canada because they're allowing vast numbers of people. Canada's very bad abuser, also vast numbers of people to come in and fentanyl to come in.

[Eder Peralta]

And a reporter followed up and asked when he might enact those tariffs.

[Donald Trump]

I think February 1st.

[Asma Khalid]

Asma, I want to back up a bit if we can. He said he wants to do this because of, quote, vast numbers of people. But what does he mean by that?

[Eder Peralta]

He's saying he wants to do this to curb immigration and illegal drugs coming over the border and wanna. This is not the first time he's tried this tactic. You might recall back in his term, Trump said he would put a tariff on all imports from Mexico until Mexico took steps to reduce illegal immigration. Mexico did take some steps, so Trump backed off his threat. And as we all know, immigration was a huge part of Trump's reelection campaign. A bunch of the executive actions that he signed yesterday are aimed at limiting immigration.

[Kerry Johnson]

Right.

[Asma Khalid]

But as we said, there is a trade deal with these two countries.

[Eder Peralta]

That's right. It's called the U. S. Mexico Canada Agreement, also known as usmca, and it's a trade deal that the Trump administration signed when it was last in office. But the deal is up for review next year. I spoke to Kathleen Claussen about that. She's a professor at Georgetown who works on international trade law.

[Juana Summers]

At this point, the Trump administration may be seeking to extract more from each of them in exchange for keeping the deal alive.

[Eder Peralta]

So this also may be a negotiating tactic. You know, if history is any guide, this is a review that we're going to hear a lot about in the next couple of years.

[Asma Khalid]

Oh, yeah. I mean, there's so much history here. I mean, I remember all of the back and forth with Canada and Mexico over trade in Trump's first term. And there were tariffs slapped on things like steel and lumber.

[Eder Peralta]

Mm. And remember Canada? They issued retaliatory tariffs on things like beef and bourbon. Mexico put tariffs on US Pork. There was a lot of tit for tat. Eventually, these tariffs were lifted and a trade deal was struck. Canada and Mexico are among the United States largest trading partners. You're talking about hundreds of billions of dollars, and so already you're hearing about possible retaliation. Take a listen to Anita Anand, one of Canada's key cabinet ministers, on CTV television over the weekend, we have planned.

[Asma Khalid]

Multiple rounds of counter tariffs against the United States, which we will not hesitate to use if necessary.

[Eder Peralta]

Canada hasn't spelled out a plan in public, but the United States relies on a lot of oil and gas from Canada.

[Asma Khalid]

Asma, one thing before we let you go. I'm hoping you can just take a step back quickly, help us understand what it would mean if these tariffs go into effect.

[Eder Peralta]

Yeah. You know, Trump talks about these tariffs as taxes on other countries, but the tariffs are paid by American companies that import those goods. They often pass along the cost to their customers. Most economists say that tariffs actually end up as taxes on consumers. And some warn that if Trump goes through with this all, it could lead to higher inflation.

[Asma Khalid]

Here at home, NPR's Asma Khalid. Thank you.

[Eder Peralta]

Good to speak with you.

[Ailsa Chang]

Trump also turned to another set of campaign promises. Ending illegal immigration, shutting down the US Southern border, and deporting individuals in the US without legal immigration status. And with a handful of executive actions, President Trump has quickly reshaped the US Immigration landscape. Many people who had been hoping to enter the United States are now in limbo. NPR's Eder Peralta is just across the southern border in Juarez, Mexico. That's where my co host Ari Shapiro reached him.

[Tom Dreisbach]

Ader, tell us more about where you are and what you're seeing.

[Matt Graves]

So, Ari, President Trump has declared a national emergency along this border, saying that America's sovereignty is under attack. But here, as you can hear, it's quiet. I'm at the foot of one of the bridges that leads to El Paso, and we drove up and down this fence, the border fence, and there are no migrants. And there's two reasons for that. The main one is that President Trump is inheriting a very quiet border. Over his four years in power, President Biden tightened asylum rules and he pressured Mexico to stop migrants from reaching the border. And just before he left office, apprehensions at the border were lower than they were when Trump left office the first time. But it's also quiet because migrants have no idea what to do. We've been out today and we've been talking to migrants sitting in parks and on stoops. And they're confused, they're sad, they're desolate, and they just don't know what to do. Because yesterday, Trump shut down the only real path toward crossing the U.S. legally. And that was this thing called the CBP1 app. It allowed migrants to book appointments across to cross the border and ask US Authorities for asylum. But that is no more.

[Tom Dreisbach]

And you were at the border yesterday when these first policies made their impact. How did people react to it?

[Matt Graves]

It was dramatic. Some migrants had waited nearly a year to get an appointment, and a few dozen of them had an appointment just after it was scheduled for, just after inauguration. They lined up, some starting at 5am, hopeful that maybe their appointments would be honored. But shortly after Donald Trump's took the oath of office, cell phones lit up. Migrants got a message that their appointments were no longer valid. Maro, a migrant from Venezuela kneeled on the ground and she prayed, let's listen. And what she's saying there is. She's saying, my God, why me, dear Lord? She said, why so much pain? And reporters asked her, what would you tell President Trump if you could talk to him? And she's saying, I tell him to have compassion, to let us cross. It's been six months of suffering. I think what's important, important to note here is that Tinoco, like all the migrants in that line, had scored an appointment to cross the border legally. A lot of them had been waiting in Mexico for months, applying every day for a chance to present their case to US Authorities. And yesterday, their dreams were crushed.

[Tom Dreisbach]

These changes also obviously affect Mexicans who have no intention of coming to the U.S. what is the Mexican government saying?

[Matt Graves]

Well, look, there's two big ways in which it affects Mexico. First, because Mexico, because Trump has essentially shut the border to migrants, and it has reinstated a policy known as remain in Mexico. And that means, means migrants from all over the world trying to reach the US Would have to apply for asylum from Mexico. And second, they're worried that Trump has promised mass deportations of undocumented migrants, and that could mean a lot of Mexicans. And here in a big parking lot just down the street, members of the civil defense are building a tent city that they say could hold about 5,000 people. So they're getting prepared.

[Tom Dreisbach]

NPR's Ada Peralta reporting from Juarez, Mexico. Thank you you very much.

[Matt Graves]

Thank you, Ari.

[Ailsa Chang]

This episode was a huge team effort. It was produced by Briana Scott, Gabriel Sanchez, and Michelle Oslam. It was edited by Courtney Dorning, Robert Little, Nadia Lancy, Justine Kennan Roberta Rampton, Tara Neal and John Ketchum. Our executive producer is Sammy Yenig. It's Consider this from npr. I'm Ilsa Chang.

[Juana Summers]

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