Trump Reverses Paris Climate Accord, LGBTQ+ Equality Orders on First Day Back in Office

President Donald Trump, in his first day back in office, signed a series of executive orders that have significant implications for both environmental policy and LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. Among the most consequential actions was the directive to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, a landmark international accord aimed at mitigating climate change.

The Paris Agreement, established in 2015, commits nearly 200 countries to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The United States, as one of the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters, plays a crucial role in global climate initiatives. President Trump's decision to exit the agreement signals a shift towards promoting fossil fuel development and reducing emphasis on climate change mitigation. In conjunction with the withdrawal, he declared a "national energy emergency," aiming to accelerate oil and gas infrastructure projects and lift federal restrictions on fossil fuel exploration.

This move has drawn criticism from environmental advocates and international allies. Rachel Cleetus, policy director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, stated, "President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement is a reckless abdication of American leadership on climate change." The United Nations Secretary-General expressed confidence that U.S. cities, states, and businesses would continue to pursue low-carbon growth despite the federal government's stance.

In addition to environmental policy reversals, President Trump rescinded several executive orders related to LGBTQ+ rights. Notably, he nullified orders on "Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation" and "Advancing Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Individuals." The administration signaled plans to mandate the use of the term "sex" instead of "gender" in federal policy documents, including passports and visas. Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, criticized the actions, stating that President Trump is "taking aim at the LGBTQ+ community instead of uniting our country and prioritizing the pressing issues the American people are facing."