Welcome back to another episode of What Did He Do Now? In Week 2, Trump kept the executive orders coming, signing off on policies that range from “legally iffy” to “did he even read the Constitution?” Let’s unpack this mess.
1. The “Oops, My Bad” Military Rehire Order (January 27, 2025)
What it does: Welcomes back service members who were discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: Military rules exist for a reason—tossing them aside could create a logistical nightmare.
- Ethical: Rewarding those who defied orders? Not exactly great for morale.
- Constitutional: Presidents have power over the military, but completely undoing policy decisions might not fly in court.
2. “More Tanks, Less Thanks” – Expanding Defense Spending (January 27, 2025)
What it does: Ramps up military spending and recruitment, supposedly to “restore American strength.”
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: Spending billions without Congress giving the thumbs-up? Someone’s overstepping.
- Ethical: Maybe spend some of that money on schools, healthcare, or, I don’t know, people who actually need it?
- Constitutional: The president can push for defense spending, but Congress controls the checkbook—unless we’re just ignoring that now.
3. The “Iron Dome for America” Fantasy (January 27, 2025)
What it does: Orders the development of a missile defense system based on Israel’s Iron Dome.
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: Massive defense projects usually go through Congress. Oops.
- Ethical: We can’t even get clean drinking water in some places, but sure, let’s build a billion-dollar sky shield.
- Constitutional: Again, Congress decides where money goes, not the guy with a Sharpie.
4. Banning Gender-Affirming Care for Minors (January 28, 2025)
What it does: Blocks access to gender-affirming medical care for minors, labeling it as “mutilation.”
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: Many states protect transgender healthcare, meaning this order is likely unconstitutional on its face.
- Ethical: Politicians deciding what medical care people can receive? That’s a dystopian red flag.
- Constitutional: The Equal Protection Clause exists. Expect lawsuits. Lots of them.
5. Anti-Semitism Crackdown or Free Speech Minefield? (January 29, 2025)
What it does: Expands penalties for anti-Semitic hate crimes and promotes “patriotic education” on Jewish history.
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: Stronger penalties for hate crimes? Great. But if enforcement isn’t balanced, this could lead to selective prosecution.
- Ethical: Education is important, but who decides what’s “patriotic”? Sounds suspiciously like rewriting history.
- Constitutional: Hate speech is awful, but the First Amendment is still a thing. Expect legal headaches.
6. Planning the USA’s 250th Birthday Bash (January 29, 2025)
What it does: Creates a commission to plan America’s semiquincentennial celebration in 2026.
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: Commissions can be money pits—who’s auditing this spending spree?
- Ethical: Maybe hold off on the party planning while, you know, democracy is in crisis?
- Constitutional: No real concerns here, just an expensive distraction from everything else burning down.
7. Rewriting School Curricula to Be “Less Radical” (January 29, 2025)
What it does: Orders a review of school curricula to remove “radical” content and promote “patriotic education.”
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: Education is a state and local issue, not something a president can dictate.
- Ethical: Teaching kids only one side of history? That’s not education, that’s propaganda.
- Constitutional: The First Amendment says hello.
Final Thoughts
If Week 2 showed us anything, it’s that Trump is still treating executive orders like his personal to-do list, legal consequences be damned. Some of these will be challenged in court, while others will just quietly waste taxpayer money. Either way, buckle up—it’s going to be a long four years.
Sources:
- List of Executive Orders – Wikipedia
- Presidential Powers & Limitations – Congressional Research Service
- Federal Budget Authority – U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 9
- Supreme Court Cases on Free Speech & Education Policy – Oyez
