The Blubber

President Donald Trump reversed several executive orders from his predecessor, Joe Biden, implemented a federal hiring freeze, and directed government workers to return to the office, marking his first series of official actions since assuming office again.

Trump outlined these actions following an indoor parade procession at Washington’s Capital One Arena, shortly after his inaugural address in which he promised a sweeping overhaul of the federal government.

“I’ll revoke nearly 80 destructive and radical executive actions from the previous administration, one of the worst in history,” Trump declared.

Among the 78 Biden orders rescinded were measures such as a goal to have half of U.S. vehicles sold by 2030 be zero-emission, the creation of a panel to reunite migrant families separated under the first Trump administration, and a recent decision to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

The immediate suspension of all pending federal regulations is a standard procedure during a presidential transition, dating back to at least the Carter administration. This directive instructs federal agencies to halt proposing or finalizing rules, except in emergencies, and to withdraw any rules that haven't been finalized.

The freeze will be lifted at each agency once a Trump-appointed leader is in place to approve new regulations.

“It’s important because it allows the new administration to install its team before agencies start making new policies,” said Jack Beermann, a Boston University administrative law professor. “It’s a routine procedure, and it’s likely helpful for the transition. There’s nothing underhanded about it, and the alternative would be worse.”

The workforce-related executive actions, which included a hiring freeze across the government, are seen as the first steps in Trump’s effort to reduce the size of the federal government. Trump specifically mentioned the Internal Revenue Service as a target.

“We will halt the hiring of any new IRS agents. We will also require federal workers to return to the office in person,” Trump announced.

Additionally, Trump reinstated an order granting broad authority to hire and fire high-level civil service employees. Just before the 2020 presidential election, Trump had signed an order creating a new classification of federal workers called “Schedule F.” Biden revoked this order on his third day in office, before it could take effect.