The first ten days of the 47th presidential administration have marked a swift and dramatic break with “business as usual” in Washington. A cascade of executive orders, statements, and directives signaled major course changes on some of the most urgent—and controversial—issues of the day.
Here are several actions of interest to Christian communicators from President Donald J. Trump’s first days of office.
Ending Censorship and the Weaponization of the Federal Government
At the 2024 NRB Convention, Trump promised an audience of religious broadcasters and faith leaders that he “will never allow the big media or left-wing pressure groups to silence you, censor you, discriminate against you, or in any way tell you what you have to say.”
This hallmark of Trump’s campaign message—the fight against censorship and the weaponization of the federal government—was realized through key actions on his first day in the White House.
- Executive Order: “Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship”
- Executive Order: “Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government”
Affirming Life, Family, and Gender
Upon taking office, Trump delivered a comprehensive reset on some of the most significant federal policy issues related to life, family, and gender. Trump swiftly pardoned 23 peaceful, pro-life protesters imprisoned under the FACE Act, enforced the Hyde Amendment to halt the use of taxpayer funds to fund or promote elective abortions, and reinstated the Mexico City Policy to stop the use of federal taxpayer dollars for abortion overseas.
Further, Trump established that the official policy of the United States is to recognize two sexes, male and female, and ended all federal support and assistance for gender “transition” procedures on minors.
- Executive Order: “Enforcing the Hyde Amendment”
- Presidential Memorandum Reinstating the Mexico City Policy
- Fact Sheet: “President Donald J. Trump Enforces Overwhelmingly Popular Demand to Stop Taxpayer Funding of Abortion”
- Statement of Administration Policy: H.R. 21 Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
- Executive Order: “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government”
- Executive Order: “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation”
Ending So-Called “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) Programs and Policies
Trump has pledged to advance a paradigm of colorblind equality and implement competence-driven standards for the federal workforce and federally-funded programs, including higher education. The President issued an executive order aimed at fundamentally terminating DEI preferencing in federal government.
- Executive Order: “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing”
- Fact Sheet: “President Donald J. Trump Protects Civil Rights and Merit-Based Opportunity by Ending Illegal DEI”
Federal Communications Commission Follows President’s Lead on Deregulation
FCC Chair Brendan Carr has followed the President’s lead by halting the Commission’s promotion of DEI, slashing red tape, and launching a probe into federally-funded NPR and PBS regarding compliance with sponsorship and underwriting rules.
- Press Release: Chairman Carr Ends FCC’s Promotion of DEI
- Press Release: Chairman Carr Stops Costly Regulatory Overreach
- Press Release: Chairman Carr Ends Biden-Era Plan to Slow Down Infrastructure Builds
- FCC chair launches investigation into NPR, PBS
Positioning America as a Global Leader on AI
While industry groups and government bodies alike compete in the global race for technology dominance, some of Trump’s very first actions in office underscored his determination that the United States will lead the charge on artificial intelligence.
- Executive Order: “Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence”
- Fact Sheet: “President Donald J. Trump Takes Action to Enhance America’s AI Leadership”
Embracing Transparency in Media
In addition to this policy snapshot, the Trump administration has taken a transparency-first media approach in its early days, with the President participating in formal press briefings and answering numerous informal questions from reporters on a daily basis.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also announced plans to enhance access to the White House briefing room for independent media, inviting such media outlets to apply here for the opportunity to attend a future press briefing.
Within the first ten days, the Trump White House took numerous actions of significance for Americans of faith. As a trusted source of independent analysis and thoughtful commentary, Christian communicators should monitor these updates closely in the days ahead.