President Biden’s first day

Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on January 20, 2021. Following his inauguration, he proceeded with dozens of executive actions; at least 15 in the first 12 days to be exact.

According to The Washington Post, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that these actions are a part of President Biden’s flurry of steps he plans to take in the coming days to address his top policy priorities. Some specific actions include a mandate for masks on federal property, an action to rejoin the Paris climate accord, a removal of Trump’s travel ban affecting Muslim-majority nations, a proclamation halting further funding or construction to the wall along the U.S. southern border, and an order reversing Trump’s decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization.

On climate change, Biden revoked the permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada, which environmentalists have vehemently opposed for years. Psaki also told reporters Biden will have his first call with a foreign leader on Friday when he plans to speak with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 

White House officials have said the actions signed are just the first of many to come over the next several weeks. A partial list of Biden’s planned actions include rejoining the World Health Organization, asking federal agencies to extend eviction and foreclosure moratoriums, asking the Education Department to extend the federal student loan payment, stopping all wall construction at the southern border, and many more.