After the change of power: Trump tests the limits of power – first complaints

At the start of his new term in office, US President Donald Trump tested the limits of his power and immediately encountered resistance. Several US states and civil rights organizations want to legally prevent the right to citizenship by birth in the USA from being abolished for children of people without legal residence status. Trump ordered this by presidential decree – one of dozens of decisions on his first day in office with which he initiated a radical departure from the course of the previous administration.

Regulated in the constitution

“Presidents cannot override the Constitution and centuries of case law with the stroke of a pen,” said New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, who said he is leading the effort by 18 states, the District of Columbia and the city of San Francisco. He described Trump’s order as unlawful.

The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that persons born in the United States are citizens of the country. But Trump argues that this does not apply if the mother was in the USA illegally or only temporarily. He is referring to a subordinate clause in the amendment – namely that this applies to people who are subject to the jurisdiction of the USA.

The Supreme Court could take up the issue

The Supreme Court has so far made no distinction when it comes to the question of whether the parents were in the USA legally or illegally. However, Trump’s order could lead to the Supreme Court taking up the issue. The judges could actually interpret the Constitution differently than before. During Trump’s first term, the Supreme Court moved significantly to the right due to several replacements.

The civil rights organizations’ lawsuit accuses the Trump administration of ignoring the requirements of the Constitution, the intent of Congress and the Supreme Court’s long-standing case law. “Denying citizenship to children born in the United States is not only unconstitutional, but also a reckless and pitiless rejection of American values,” criticized Anthony Romero of the civil rights organization ACLU.

When signing the decree, Trump himself acknowledged that the plan could fail. But he believes he has a solid legal basis. “We’ll find out.”

First convicted Capitol stormers released

In his first hours in office, Trump also pardoned all perpetrators of the Capitol attack. The first convicts are free, including the founder of the right-wing extremist group “Oath Keepers”, Stewart Rhodes, and the former leader of the right-wing extremist group “Proud Boys”, Henry “Enrique” Tarrio. They received particularly long prison sentences.

The database of the US agency responsible for federal prisons shows that several prisoners were released on Monday – the day of Trump’s inauguration and the announcement of his pardon. More followed the next day.

Trump released the prison sentences of 14 convicts, who are now considered to have served their sentences. For the rest of the more than 1,100 people convicted in connection with the Capitol attack, the new president issued full and unconditional pardons and ordered them to be released “immediately.” He also ordered the Justice Department to close hundreds of pending criminal cases in the case.

First Minister sworn in

For the time being, Trump is largely governing with a caretaker cabinet. The US Senate still has to confirm its preferred candidates. So far, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been confirmed in office. After being sworn in, he made Trump’s foreign policy priorities clear: “Everything we do must be justified by the answer to one of three questions. Does it make us stronger? Does it make us safer? And does it make us wealthier?” he said. National interests come first in every decision.

Trump’s first full day in office began with a church service, which the clergyman responsible for the sermon used to deliver a political message to the newly sworn-in president. “In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy on the people of our country who are now afraid,” said Mariann Edgar Budde at the service at the National Cathedral, where Trump was also present, as well as First Lady Melania and other family members . There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in families of all political parties, some of whom fear for their lives, she warned.

After being sworn in, Trump ordered that United States policy should henceforth be based on the assumption that there are only two genders: male and female. The Republican has also signed various decrees to curb irregular migration. For example, he has instructed the Department of Homeland Security to take all appropriate measures to deport migrants without the right to remain. Unregistered migrants should be identified.

Further decisions from Trump are expected later in the day. His spokeswoman promised a “massive announcement”. According to US media reports, billions are likely to be invested in infrastructure for artificial intelligence in the USA.