US exits from WHO, birth right citizenship stopped: All about Trump's first day

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Market Watch

??Sensex fell by 1.60 percent, losing 1235 points to settle at 75838.36 -- a level is last seen on 6 June 2024, while the Nifty declined by 1.37 percent, or 320.1 points, ending at 23024.65.

President Trump's recent threat to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico next month has raised additional concerns, although China appears to be exempt for now.

ICYMI

• ?? Madhya Pradesh government official suspended after thrashing a woman in office, sparking outrage over misuse of power.
• ?? When will central government employees start receiving revised salaries under the 8th Pay Commission? Updates awaited.
• ?? BCCI refuses to print Pakistan's name on Team India's jersey for Champions Trophy 2025, citing political tensions.
• ?? No death penalty for RG Kar convict: Rising above 'eye for an eye' mindset, a case for restorative justice.
• ?? Elon Musk’s Doge set for a legal showdown shortly after Trump’s inauguration, highlighting controversies in cryptocurrency.
• ?? Maoist carrying ?1 crore bounty among 14 killed in Chhattisgarh encounter, a significant blow to insurgency efforts.

Trump is back

Donald Trump has officially returned to the White House, having been inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025. This marks his second non-consecutive term, making him only the second U.S. president in history to achieve this feat after Grover Cleveland.

Can watch his full speech here

Speech highlights: Trump proclaimed the beginning of a new era, declaring that "the golden age of America begins right now." He emphasized his vision of national prosperity and a renewed global respect for the United States, vowing to prioritize "America first" in all aspects of his administration.

• A cornerstone of his address was the restoration of U.S. sovereignty and safety. He promised to end what he described as the "vicious, violent, and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department" against citizens, underscoring his commitment to justice and fairness.
• On the economic front, Trump pledged to revive American manufacturing and achieve energy independence, highlighting the country’s vast oil and gas reserves.
• He announced plans to dismantle the Green New Deal and revoke electric vehicle mandates to bolster the auto industry. Immigration policy also featured prominently in his speech, with a proposed declaration of a national emergency at the southern border.
• Trump also signalled an ambitious agenda, revealing plans to sign around 200 executive orders focused on economic and immigration reforms shortly after his address.
• In closing, he called for national unity and impartial justice under the rule of law, vowing to end government censorship, restore free speech, and steer the nation toward a brighter future.

Elon Musk at inauguration: During Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, Elon Musk delivered an electrifying speech at the Capital One Arena, energizing the audience with his characteristic enthusiasm. Musk entered the stage to roaring applause, jumping and pumping his fists in the air, exclaiming, “This is what victory feels like,” and emphasizing the historic importance of the election as a turning point for civilization.

• Musk shared a bold vision for the future, highlighting the goals of creating “safe cities” and ensuring “secure borders.” He also painted an inspiring picture of space exploration, saying, “Can you imagine? How awesome it will be to have American astronauts plant the flag on another planet for the first time?”
• Promising unwavering support, Musk assured the crowd of his dedication, proclaiming, “I’m going to work my a** off for you guys,” and expressing his confidence in a brighter future ahead.

Nazi salute row: During his speech at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Elon Musk made a gesture twice while thanking Trump supporters for their role in the election victory. Critics swiftly likened the motion to a Nazi salute, igniting a wave of outrage across social media.

• Many users condemned the act as offensive and inappropriate, with British journalist Owen Jones remarking that it "could not look more like a Nazi salute." German commentators joined in the criticism, expressing their shock and concern.

• In response to the controversy, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the backlash. He dismissed the accusations as a "tired" line of attack and sarcastically criticized his detractors for their lack of originality in crafting criticisms.

Withdrawal from WHO

President Donald Trump signed an executive order initiating the United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). This move continues his long-standing critique of the global health agency, particularly over its response to health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We paid 500 million dollars to World Health Organization when I was here and I terminated it. China with 1.4 billion people, they were paying 39 million. We were paying 500 million. It seemed a little unfair to me,” Trump said.

• The executive order outlines steps such as halting U.S. funding to WHO, recalling federal personnel working with the agency, and identifying alternative partners for health initiatives previously managed by WHO.
• The U.S. has historically been a significant contributor, providing around 18% of WHO's funding. The withdrawal could disrupt global health programs, including vaccination efforts and epidemic response initiatives, and potentially undermine decades of progress in combating diseases like AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.
• This decision also revives debates from Trump’s first term, when he accused WHO of being overly influenced by China.
• Although he announced a withdrawal in 2020, it was reversed by President Biden. Critics warn that withdrawing weakens U.S. influence in global health governance and limits access to crucial health data and international collaboration during pandemics. The process, which will take a year to complete, has sparked global and domestic reactions.

WHO chief’s reaction:

There are only 2 genders: President Donald Trump signed a significant executive order titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government," which establishes a strict binary understanding of gender within federal policies. This order asserts that the U.S. government will officially recognize only two sexes—male and female—defined based on biological reproductive roles determined at conception.

• The executive order requires all federal agencies to adopt a uniform definition of sex based on immutable biological characteristics. Terms like "gender" are to be replaced by "sex" in federal policies, erasing references to gender identity. Identification documents such as passports will no longer accommodate non-binary or gender-neutral options, including the "X" designation.
• This directive reverses policies from previous administrations that expanded LGBTQ+ rights, including protections derived from the Supreme Court’s Bostock v. Clayton County decision. Federal agencies must realign their practices and documentation to reflect the binary definition within 30 days.

Birthright citizenship: Furthermore, he signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents, challenging the long-standing interpretation of the 14th Amendment.

• The amendment, ratified in 1868, guarantees citizenship to all individuals born on U.S. soil. Trump’s move argues this right does not apply to children of undocumented immigrants, aiming to curb "birth tourism" and alleged misuse of the system.
• Critics, including the ACLU, have condemned the order as unconstitutional, citing Supreme Court precedents like United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898) that affirm birthright citizenship. Legal battles are expected, as opponents argue that such a policy change requires a constitutional amendment, not an executive order.

Other orders signed by POTUS: Signed a symbolic memorandum directing federal agencies to combat consumer inflation.

• Repealed Biden-era regulations to ease burdens on oil and natural gas production, particularly in Alaska.
• Promised to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting Feb. 1, with plans for additional tariffs on Chinese imports left unspecified.
• Renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”
• Reverted Denali's name back to “Mount McKinley” to honor “American greatness.”
• Ordered flags to fly at full height on all future Inauguration Days, prompted by the lowering of flags for former President Jimmy Carter's death.
• Reversed Biden-era immigration orders, reinstating Trump's first-term policy prioritizing deportation of all undocumented individuals.
• Declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, deploying U.S. troops to support immigration agents and restrict refugees and asylum seekers.
• Promised to restart the policy requiring asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while awaiting U.S. hearings.
• Pledged to end birthright citizenship, though constitutional obstacles remain.
• Terminated the CBP One app, which had facilitated legal entry for nearly 1 million migrants under Biden's administration.
• Officially withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement (again).
• Declared an energy emergency, promising to expand fossil fuel drilling and eliminate Biden’s electric vehicle mandate.
• Halted federal hiring, except for the military and unspecified areas of government.
• Froze the implementation of new federal regulations.
• Proposed reclassifying certain federal employees as political appointees, making it easier to terminate them.
• Empowered the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, to recommend cuts to government programs and spending.
• Terminated all federal DEI programs and directed a review to identify and end related initiatives.
• Rolled back transgender protections, declaring the federal government will recognize only two biological sexes (male and female).
• Mandated segregation in federal prisons, migrant shelters, and rape victim facilities based on biological sex as defined in the order.
• Prohibited federal funding for gender transition services.
• Ended federal prosecutions of individuals deemed “political opponents” of the Biden administration.
• Pardoned 1,500 individuals convicted or charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
• Trump signed an executive order to keep TikTok operating for 75 days.
• Order signed on the United States' exit from the World Health Organization.
• Signed an executive order prohibiting any federal officer, employee, or agent from unconstitutionally abridging the free speech of American citizens.
• Directed the attorney general to investigate potential violations of free speech during the Biden administration and propose remedial actions based on the findings.
• Trump has designated drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
• Suspended US foreign assistance for 90 days pending reviews.
• Attorney general directed to help states get lethal injection drugs to carry out executions

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Hi, I’m Aniket Mishra, the editor of this newsletter. I’d love to hear some feedback on the newsletter. WhatsApp me directly and tell me what you think.