Donald Trump: 'Everything is my choice' Trump's executive orders

On Monday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order initiating the U.S.'s withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement once again, dealing a significant blow to global efforts to combat climate change and creating further tension between the U.S. and its closest allies.

This move echoes Trump's 2017 decision to pull the U.S. out of the landmark climate accord, which aims to limit global warming to 2.7°F above pre-industrial levels, or ideally, to stay well below 3.6°F. In addition to the order, Trump also signed a letter to the United Nations outlining the U.S.'s intention to exit the 2015 agreement. The Paris pact allows countries to set their own targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which are to become more stringent over time.

Trump's justification for the withdrawal centers on his belief that the Paris accord, among other international agreements, does not align with American values and unfairly directs taxpayer dollars to countries that he believes do not merit financial assistance. Instead, he asserts that the U.S. should serve as a model for other countries with its history of balancing economic and environmental priorities.

Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and a key architect of the Paris agreement, expressed disappointment over the U.S. withdrawal but emphasized that efforts to mitigate climate change remain stronger than any political stance. She highlighted the unstoppable economic momentum behind the global transition to clean energy, which the U.S. has benefited from and even led, but now risks losing out on.

Despite this setback, Tubiana pointed out that the global market for clean energy technologies is projected to grow to over $2 trillion by 2035. Moreover, the ongoing climate crisis, exemplified by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, serves as a reminder that the effects of climate change are increasingly felt by all.

The withdrawal process from the Paris accord takes one year, and Trump's previous attempt to exit was finalized just after the 2020 presidential election.

Trump Issues Executive Orders on Various Fronts

In a flurry of executive actions on his first day in office, Trump also made moves to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO) for the second time in less than five years. This decision drew concern from experts, who warned that it could undermine global efforts to fight infectious diseases and weaken defenses against potential pandemics.

Furthermore, Trump issued a series of pardons, granting clemency to over 1,500 supporters involved in the January 6th U.S. Capitol attack. This move, which included individuals convicted of violent acts against law enforcement, marked the largest use of clemency in Justice Department history and was seen as part of Trump's broader efforts to reshape the narrative surrounding the events of that day.

Finally, Trump signed an executive order keeping the popular social media app TikTok operational for another 90 days. TikTok's China-based parent company had been under pressure to find a U.S. buyer to avoid a national security ban. Trump, who had credited the platform with helping his 2024 election campaign, expressed his support for the app and proposed that the U.S. should own half of TikTok, a move that could potentially make the platform worth $1 trillion.

Trump also reversed Biden’s recent action to lift Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, freezing any moves toward easing relations with the island nation.