18 Days and dozens of institutional structural changes to America
The First 18 Days: 40 Structural Changes & Their Impact
1. Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement
Impact:
• The U.S. abandons global climate commitments, weakening international efforts to curb emissions.
• Loss of U.S. leadership reduces pressure on other major polluters to cut carbon output.
• American clean energy investments suffer, while fossil fuel industries expand.
Who is affected?
✔ Global climate policy.
✔ Renewable energy sector.
✔ Future generations facing climate change consequences.
2. Termination of Birthright Citizenship
Impact:
• Children born in the U.S. to non-citizens no longer receive automatic citizenship.
• Will likely trigger lawsuits, as birthright citizenship is rooted in the 14th Amendment.
• Increased risk of stateless children if their parents’ home countries refuse them nationality.
Who is affected?
✔ Immigrant families.
✔ The U.S. legal system (facing constitutional challenges).
✔ States with large immigrant populations.
3. Dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education
Impact:
• Ends federal oversight of school quality, special education programs, and student loans.
• Wealthier states and private schools thrive, while underfunded public schools suffer.
• Federal protections for disabled and minority students are rolled back.
Who is affected?
✔ Public school students.
✔ Low-income families.
✔ College students relying on federal aid.
4. Rollback of Transgender Rights
Impact:
• Bans trans individuals from military service, federal healthcare coverage, and certain prisons.
• Eliminates legal protections for trans people in education, housing, and employment.
• Increased mental health risks for trans youth due to loss of recognition.
Who is affected?
✔ Trans individuals and LGBTQ+ communities.
✔ Military personnel.
✔ Employers required to comply with federal discrimination protections.
5. Pardoning of January 6th Rioters
Impact:
• Encourages political violence by signaling that insurrectionists face no consequences.
• Undermines trust in the justice system.
• Law enforcement morale declines, knowing their efforts were nullified.
Who is affected?
✔ The U.S. legal system.
✔ Capitol security and law enforcement.
✔ Future elections, as political violence is emboldened.
6. Creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
Impact:
• Elon Musk appointed to oversee federal operations.
• Mass layoffs in federal agencies to “streamline efficiency.”
• Potential privatization of key services (mail delivery, healthcare, infrastructure).
Who is affected?
✔ Federal employees.
✔ Citizens relying on federal services (Medicare, USPS, food aid).
✔ Private tech corporations (increased government contracts).
7. Executive Order on ‘Buy American, Hire American’
Impact:
• U.S. manufacturers benefit from more government contracts.
• Higher costs for businesses relying on foreign suppliers.
• H-1B visa restrictions limit high-skilled foreign workers.
Who is affected?
✔ Domestic manufacturing.
✔ Tech companies dependent on immigrant talent.
✔ Global trade partners.
8. Reinstatement of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines
Impact:
• Increases fossil fuel dependency, delaying the shift to renewables.
• Native American lands and water sources threatened.
• Expected increase in pipeline protests and legal battles.
Who is affected?
✔ Indigenous communities.
✔ Environmental groups.
✔ Oil and gas corporations.
9. Federal Hiring Freeze
Impact:
• Government agencies lack staffing to handle essential services.
• Veterans and disabled individuals lose hiring preferences.
• Delays in Social Security, IRS, and passport processing.
Who is affected?
✔ Federal workers.
✔ Citizens needing government services.
✔ Military veterans.
10. Rescission of LGBTQ Protections
Impact:
• Removes protections against discrimination in housing, healthcare, and employment.
• Legalizes refusal of services to LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Religious groups gain broader exemptions to deny LGBTQ+ rights.
Who is affected?
✔ LGBTQ+ individuals.
✔ Healthcare providers.
✔ Employers and businesses.
11. Withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO)
Impact:
• Cuts U.S. funding to global disease response programs.
• Slows pandemic preparedness and research collaborations.
• Weakens global vaccine distribution programs.
Who is affected?
✔ Global public health.
✔ Medical research communities.
✔ Developing nations reliant on WHO funding.
12. Revocation of Electric Vehicle Targets
Impact:
• Weakens U.S. leadership in green energy.
• Oil and gas industries expand.
• Automakers forced to reverse electric vehicle investments.
Who is affected?
✔ Climate activists.
✔ Auto industry.
✔ Consumers who want EV incentives.
13. National Emergency Declaration at the Southern Border
Impact:
• Funds diverted from FEMA and military to border enforcement.
• Humanitarian conditions worsen at detention centers.
• Potential for military presence at the border.
Who is affected?
✔ Migrants and asylum seekers.
✔ Border communities.
✔ Military and National Guard personnel.
14. Rescission of Environmental Regulations
Impact:
• Air and water pollution increases due to fewer restrictions.
• Wildlife protections weakened.
• Corporations save money at the cost of public health.
Who is affected?
✔ Environmentalists.
✔ Public health organizations.
✔ Low-income communities near industrial zones.
15. Halting of Refugee Admissions
Impact:
• Stops all new refugee resettlements in the U.S.
• Leaves thousands of vetted refugees stranded.
• Weakens U.S. foreign diplomacy with countries hosting displaced populations.
Who is affected?
✔ Refugees and asylum seekers.
✔ Humanitarian organizations.
✔ International allies.
16. Restriction of Asylum Policies
Impact:
• Raises barriers for asylum seekers fleeing persecution.
• Increases deportations even for valid asylum claims.
• Strains the U.S.-Mexico relationship.
Who is affected?
✔ Migrants and asylum seekers.
✔ Border states.
✔ Immigration courts.
17. Rescission of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Impact:
• Dreamers lose legal protections.
• Risk of mass deportations for individuals brought to the U.S. as children.
• Legal battles expected.
Who is affected?
✔ DACA recipients.
✔ U.S. universities.
✔ Employers with DACA workers.