Last night, Donald Trump was sworn in as the President of the United States. Immediately after assuming office, he signed 200 executive orders aimed at bringing significant changes to the country.
In this rapid signing session, which effectively reversed many of the decisions made by the previous Biden administration, Trump fulfilled several of his campaign promises on his very first day in office.
The majority of the orders he signed focused on combating illegal immigration, a particularly severe issue during Biden’s presidency. Some of the executive orders also pertain to issues involving Israel, such as the reversal of a Biden-era directive that allowed the imposition of American sanctions on Israelis who opposed the establishment of an Arab state in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza.
Here are some of the most significant executive orders signed by Trump:
1. The removal of sanctions imposed on Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria, as well as on right-wing activists, which were enacted under the Biden administration.
2. Withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
3. Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.
4. Elimination of birthright citizenship for children born on U.S. soil to illegal immigrants.
5. Recognition of only two genders: male and female.
6. Amnesty for 1,500 individuals arrested in connection with the events at the Capitol on 6 January.
7. Revocation of Biden’s decision to no longer classify Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism (Cuba is once again considered a state sponsor of terrorism).
8. A 90-day freeze on all U.S. foreign aid for re-evaluation, with a focus on UN agencies such as UNRWA, as well as aid to Egypt and Jordan.
9. Revocation of access to classified information for 51 federal agents who were found to have lied about the laptop of Hunter Biden, son of President Biden (these agents effectively suppressed evidence of the president’s son’s alleged criminal activities).
10. Declaring Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organisations. When asked by a journalist whether this decision would lead to the deployment of U.S. special forces to Mexico to dismantle these organisations, Trump responded, „That could happen... stranger things have occurred.“
Alongside Trump, the new Vice President of the United States, J.D. Vance, was also sworn in.
Trump expressed his desire to be a „peacemaker.“ In recent days, he also pledged to „prevent a third world war.“ In other words, Trump is determined to avoid global conflicts by showcasing American strength, resolve, and firmness, compelling adversaries to surrender and abandon their plans without the need for warfare.
Unfortunately, this determination has thus far manifested in pressuring Israel into a dangerous agreement with Hamas, which seems like a complete capitulation to terror. One can only hope that this agreement will ultimately benefit Israel in the long run.
Last night, when asked by a journalist whether the three phases of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza would be carried out, President Trump remarked, „I’m not sure... This is not our war. This is their war. I’m not sure. I think they (Hamas) are very weakened on the other side. I looked at the images from Gaza. Gaza looks like a terrible place of destruction. It needs to be rebuilt differently. Maybe I’ll help rebuild it. Gaza has a great location. By the sea. Beautiful weather. You could do amazing things there.“
„How do you envision the future of governance in Gaza?“ the journalist asked. „Obviously, the people who were there can’t stay. Most of them are dead,“ Trump replied.
Let us hope that Israel can turn the situation around and end this war with a true victory rather than a humiliating capitulation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to Trump’s comments with the statement: „We are pleased with his desire to avoid a third world war.“
In conclusion, one can say that, thank G-d, as of the 22nd of Shevat (approximately one month from now), following the prophecy spoken by the Rebbe King Moshiach about swords being turned into ploughshares, the two most powerful world leaders (Putin and Trump) are discussing the need to prevent a third world war.
Incidentally, the Vice President of China attended Trump’s inauguration, further signalling the general attitude among world powers to avoid provoking the new, decisive U.S. leader and to prevent military confrontation with him, which is, of course, a tremendous blessing and crucial for all of humanity.