It's been a little over a week since Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of America. During this brief time in office, he has taken to signing 14 executive orders.
1. Rollback on the Affordable Care Act
https://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts-and-features/...
http://obamacarefacts.com/2016/07/27/obamacare-enr...
Adhering to what was said during his campaign, Trump has begun the move to dismantle the Affordable Care Act set forward by former President Barack Obama. "The one-page order allows the head of the Department of Health and Human Services or any other agency with authority under the law, not to enforce regulations that impose a financial burden on a state, company or individual. It's so broad it could allow many of the law's provisions, including many of taxes it imposes on insurers and the requirement that individuals buy insurance, to die from lack of enforcement" (npr.org).
The healthcare reform provides significant benefits for women, allows children to remain on their parents' health insurance up until age 26, strengthens the Medicare program that assists the elderly and disables, and holds insurance companies responsible in the case of raising premiums. As of March 2016, the Affordable Care Act covered 20 million people that previously did not have health insurance.
2. Regulation Freeze
Trump has frozen all pending regulations until they are reviewed and approved by himself or a member of his team.
3. Abortion
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/
Trump signed an executive order that prohibits federal funding to organizations that provide abortions. Planned Parenthood is one of the many organizations directly affected by this order. Although they do offer abortions, it is one of many health services offered and is one that is used the least. Planned Parenthood offers general healthcare, women's healthcare, men's healthcare, testing for sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS testing, birth control, pregnancy testing, and more. By removing funding, Trump is directly affecting the health care and general well being of millions of people.
4. Withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2013/1...
The Trans-Pacific Partnership was a trade agreement between the United States, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. It dealt with everything from financial services to telecommunications to sanitary standards for food and was expected to eliminate taxes on goods and services.
5. Federal Hiring Freeze
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/23/us/politics/fed...
Trump has enacted a hiring freeze for all federal positions, excluding "military personnel and critical public safety positions" (PBS.org).
6. Speeding of Dakota Access Pipeline
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/11/23/us/...
http://earthjustice.org/cases/2016/the-dakota-acce...
The Dakota Access Pipeline will span almost 1,200 miles, travelling across hundreds of waterways through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois. The Standing Rock Sioux tribe has opposed this construction due to the disruption of sacred sites as well as possible contamination of the Missouri River, their main source for drinking water. Thousands have stood in protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline along with the tribe in respect for their culture and way of life.
7. Speeding of the Keystone Oil Pipeline
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-30103078
The Keystone Oil Pipeline would span almost another 1,200 miles from Alberta, Canada to Steele City, Nebraska. The Environmental Protection Agency is worried that in the case of an oil spill, there would be a detrimental affect on the environment.
8. Speeding up Environmental Reviews of Priority Infrastructure
The White House Council on Environmental Quality chairman will now decide within 30 days if a proposed project is "high priority" (PBS.org).
9. American Steel
http://www.businessinsider.com/trumps-keystone-ame...
Trump wants to ensure that the pipelines being built are constructed with as many American-made materials as possible. This goes against the laws set forth by the World Trade Organization. By favoring domestic goods, it goes against the idea of companies to compete fairly on the price of goods. Additionally, by using American-made steel, the price of building these pipelines will skyrocket.
10. Manufacturing Regulations
Trump's memorandum ordered 60-day reviews of regulations for American manufacturing companies.
11. Deportations and Sanctuary Cities
Trump has asked agencies to step up the deportation process of those in the country illegally. He identifies seven groups that will be prioritized- "it is anyone convicted of a crime, charged with a crime, who has committed a chargeable offense, has misrepresented themselves to the government, has abused a welfare program, who is under deportation order and who may in the judgment of an immigration officer, otherwise pose a risk to public safety or national security" (PBS.org).
12. The Wall
Throughout his campaign, Trump promised to build a wall at the border of Mexico. It would span the entire southern border of the United States of America. It has yet to be determined exactly how it would be financed. Along with it, will be an increased number of detention centers.
This idea bares a vague resemblance to another wall built in 1961 by a country's government to prevent emigration.
13. The Military
A process of military review will go into effect as well as an increase in funding of the Armed Forces.
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/28/aclu-mounts-legal-c...
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/27/us/politics/tru...
Trump issued a temporary ban on the entry of refugees (and citizens) from seven Muslim countries. These countries include Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. Those with green cards issued by the United States are not exempted by this ban. This ban will deny men, women, and children seeking safety in the time of wars safety.
It took me a long time to make the decision to write this article. It appalls me that our beautiful nation, built on the notions of freedom and equality, has subjected itself to being led by a poor excuse of a human. He disregards basic human rights left and right, is sexist, a racist, is homophobic and a narcissist. It's nauseating to know that even one person voted for this bigot, let alone over 62 million.
