On Monday, January 20, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. On his very first day back in office, Trump signed almost 100 executive orders, several of which targeted LGBTQ+ rights, especially those of trans and non-binary people.

One of his directives, titled ‘Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government’, defines sex as strictly male or female and based on the “immutable biological reality of sex” characteristics at birth. The order effectively declares that trans and non-binary people do not exist.

Such an order has far-reaching consequences, mandating federal agencies to rewrite policies and remove references to gender identity and requiring government-issued identification documents – including passports – to reflect only people’s sex assigned at birth. Moreover, the order rescinds federal funding for gender-affirming healthcare. These are only a few of the consequences that the sweeping executive order will have on the lives of trans and non-binary Americans.

Trump also revoked former President Joe Biden’s order that reversed the ban placed on trans individuals from serving in the military. He also rescinded Biden’s Executive Order 14075, which put in place protections for LGBTQ+ Americans, expanding access to gender-affirming care, banning conversion therapy, and ensuring safe environments for LGBTQ+ youth in schools, foster care, and shelters.

In addition to these anti-LGBTQ+ directives, Donald Trump signed a raft of executive orders on a variety of other topics, including immigration, diversity and equity programs, climate measures, and pandemic-related policies. He also signed pardons for about 1,500 of his supporters who, on January 6, 2021, stormed the US Capitol. This action also shortened the sentences of 14 members of the far-right Proud Boys and Oath Keepers organisations.

Trump also signed orders declaring illegal immigration at the US-Mexico border a “national emergency” and targeting US-born children of immigrants in the country who previously received automatic citizenship.

During his inauguration ceremony, Trump delivered a speech announcing the drastic policy changes and saying, “The golden age of America begins right now.” Speaking about the assassination attempt against him, he said: “I was saved by God to make America great again.”

At a rally celebrating the inauguration taking place at the Capital One Arena in Washington, billionaire and Trump supporter Elon Musk sparked controversy for making a gesture that some have labelled a “Nazi salute”. After thanking the crowd for returning Trump to the White House, Musk repeated the gestures several times for emphasis.

In several cities in the US, protesters are taking to the streets to voice their opposition to Trump’s actions on the first day of his presidency. Many are standing in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, protesting the orders against trans and non-binary people.