Within hours of his inauguration, the 47th US President revoked dozens of executive actions made during Joe Biden’s administration and began fulfilling controversial promises he made during his campaign.

As Trump sat in the Oval Office and signed order after order, lawsuits began rolling in thick and fast.

President Donald Trump listens in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
President Donald Trump signed a flurry of executive orders on his first day in office. (AP)

Though holding office gives Trump power, that power isn’t unlimited. 

He may still face some big hurdles – one being Congress.

Congress wields a considerable amount of power and can step in to either review or block an executive order from becoming law.

“If Congress wants to supersede an executive order, then Congress can pass a law that covers the subject area that the executive order covers,” UNSW Law’s Dr James Metzger said.

Another challenge Trump will face is the courts, which can find an executive order “unconstitutional”.

Metzger said the Supreme Court could find a president had overstepped his executive authority.

It’s happened in the past.

President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order to seize control of the steel industry in 1952, but after companies sued, the Supreme Court later decided he lacked the authority and reversed this decision.

Here are all the executive orders signed by Trump which may be challenged.

The president may face a number of legal challenges with a handful of executive actions. (AP)

Ending automatic birthright citizenship

A number of advocates swiftly sued the president over his executive order ending automatic US citizenship for children born to immigrants without legal status.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is among those who argue Trump is unfairly denying a right which is enshrined in the 14th Amendment in the US Constitution.

Trump’s order, if enforced, is a stark revision of the 14th Amendment in the US Constitution.

Trump cuts cake with large sword before he exits Commander-in-Chief ball

“Birthright citizenship embodies America’s most fundamental promise: that all children born on our soil begin life as full and equal members of our national community, regardless of their parents’ origins, status, or circumstances,” according to the complaint filed in the state of New Hampshire.

“This principle has enabled generations of children to pursue their dreams and build a stronger America.”

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown speaks during a news conference announcing that Washington will join a federal lawsuit to challenge President Donald Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown announces that Washington will join a federal lawsuit to challenge Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship. (AP)

Only recognising two genders

Trump signed an order to remove “gender ideology guidance” from any US federal government communication or policies, making it an official decree that there are only two genders: male and female.

“Agencies will cease pretending that men can be women and women can be men when enforcing laws that protect against sex discrimination,” the order states.

It marks a reversal of a Biden administration action to recognise all gender identities.

There have already been some legal challenges relating to this executive action.

The Human Rights Campaign said it will “fight back” against the “harmful provisions” outlined in the executive order.

Trump pictured after commuting sentences for people convicted of January 6 offences. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Ordering all federal employees to work from home

Trump ordered all federal workers in the US to return to the office full-time.

“Heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of Government shall, as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements,” the White House said in a statement.

This could be a tough one to enforce, as around 26 per cent of federal workers are unionised and are covered by remote or hybrid work agreements, Reuters reports.

Non-union federal workers can be ordered back to the office but need a 30-day written notice with a reason and an opportunity to respond.

Labelling drug cartels ‘foreign terrorist organisations’

The president’s executive order which would designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organisations could pose a national security risk, the BBC reports.

It could result in US citizens or US-owned businesses prosecuted and may impact relations with Mexico.

Mike Vigil, former head of the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s foreign operations, told AP he expected terrorism designation to have “very little impact on day-to-day operations for cartels”.

“This was because many of the same anti-terrorism powers American authorities would be granted are already employ in counter-narcotics efforts in Mexico”.

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