What changes will Trump's executive orders bring?
Shortly after his inauguration, US President Donald Trump signed a slew of executive orders in front of his supporters. With some 80 orders, he rescinded many measures introduced by his predecessor Joe Biden and announced more to come. Among other things, he plans to fire numerous government employees, seal off the border with Mexico and pardon the Capitol attackers. Commentators see major repercussions.
Stress test for the rule of law
With his first executive orders Trump has shown himself to be even more radical than feared, writes NRC:
“To sum up: those who attack democracy go free. Those who defend it must fear persecution. A constitutional state is as strong as the people who protect and defend it. But the resistance is looking very demoralised. ... There will undoubtedly be many lawsuits against Trump's decrees, but this has become more difficult because of Trump's grip on the Supreme Court. ... The stress test for the American rule of law begins now, and it promises to be a long march through the desert.”
Political thunder and lightning
Diena notes a major difference to Trump's first inauguration:
“Unlike during his first presidency, when he hesitated to sign such executive orders and was ultimately unable to implement certain plans owing to political opposition – including from within his own Republican Party – this time Trump has organised a veritable political blitz. ... Remarkably, no less than 78 of Biden's orders were cancelled in one day, and that's probably not the end of it. To be fair, it must be said that Biden also cancelled a large number of Trump's orders initially – albeit more slowly and without so much pomp.”
Not the slightest respect for institutions
In pardoning the Capitol attackers Trump is jeopardising the separation of powers, writes Die Presse:
“Trump's amnesty decree is tantamount to a revision of history. ... The attack by the radical mob, egged on by Trump, on the hallowed halls of Congress marks a 'dark hour' for US democracy. An attempted coup that dismayed both Democrats and Republicans - and particularly the righteous members of Congress who had to cower under their chairs and desks fearing for their lives. ... Donald Trump has not the slightest respect for institutions. This was already clear from his attacks against the judiciary and the media in his first term in office. Now the temptation to undermine the system of checks and balances is even greater.”
No need to fear punishment
The pro-government daily Magyar Nemzet sees Trump's first decisions after taking office as a validation of Hungary's policies against minorities:
“Certain measures confirm the Hungarian policy of the last 15 years in a key international mirror: in the US, 77 million eligible voters have empowered Trump to crack down on illegal immigration, protect the border and declare war on the gender ideology that is working hard to subvert the natural social order. ... However, unlike us [Hungarians] in the European Union, Trump doesn't have to worry about being punished for all this with a rule of law procedure, a fine of one million euros per day or the withholding of funds.”
Summoning deadly disasters
Dagens Nyheter warns that Trump is playing with fire by deciding to leave the Paris climate agreement:
“The alternative is not a 'realistic climate policy' that does not affect the 'ordinary people' and where everyone makes the transition at their own pace while the rise in temperatures stops. The alternative is increasingly severe natural disasters like the Los Angeles fires and Hurricane Helene against which full protection is impossible and which will hit anyone who happens to be in their path hard. This is why Trump's decision, announced on Monday, to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement for the second time is not just short-sighted and populist. It is dangerous and will likely cost lives, both in the US and around the world.”
Immigrants are the main target
Gazeta.ua sees above all a conflict between migrants with different legal statuses:
“We can now say with some caution that the US state system will try to direct the main blow against a large 'marginalised group' – illegal migrants. Moreover, it is worth noting that in this case Trump will undoubtedly be supported by legal migrants, even those of the first generation, because they make up a significant proportion of his electorate. This is because new US citizens or simply legal migrants, especially from Mexico and South America, strongly oppose the influx of cheap new migrants from their former home countries because they fear that they will take away their jobs by working for extremely low wages.”