(Click here to get to the good stuff on President Trump’s executive orders)
The day after President Trump’s inauguration, I wrote a post where I tried to keep up with all of the president’s executive actions. I planned on updating the post on a monthly basis as a way to seperate the wheat of what he does from the chaff of what he says.
Then I discovered the POTUS Tracker, a website developed by Luke Wines that combines a running summary of executive actions, memoranda, and proclamations (helpfully pointing out which ones have been suspended due to a lawsuit) with a map of where the president is currently located and the official White House schedule. Because this did what I planned on doing but in a much more visually appealing way, I decided to scrap my “monthly update” plans.
While the POTUS Tracker is incredibly useful, I found its (I’m assuming AI-automated) summaries to take the words of the president’s executive orders, memoranda, and proclamations at face value, and if there’s anything humanity has learned about this president’s words (and usually any president’s words), it’s that they are not be trusted.
To that end, in the middle of February 2025, I created a ChatGPT Scheduled Task to run every Friday morning. The task sends ChatGPT to read all of the president’s executive orders for the given week, create a summary of the action, and then append to it “an analysis written for a radical left-wing audience that is skeptical of the president’s authoritarian leanings, while at the same time not allowing the analysis to skew towards propaganda or group think.”
ChatGPT reviews the president’s weekly executive orders through a radical-left lens—skeptical of authoritarianism, yet resisting propaganda and groupthink.
This post contains the output of that scheduled task.
As you read through, you’ll see the the format of the analyses are basically rote: This [blank] does [blank], followed by a contrarian statement. My intent in sharing the output is not to highlight ChatGPT’s writing skills or lack thereof. It’s to kickstart a reader’s bullshit detector when it comes to this president’s official actions.
Executive Orders from April 4–10, 2025
1. Executive Order: Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates to Reflect Trading Partner Retaliation and Alignment
Analysis: On April 9, President Trump issued an executive order adjusting tariff rates in response to foreign countries’ retaliatory measures against U.S. tariffs. While intended to protect American industries, escalating tariff adjustments can lead to trade wars, increased consumer prices, and strained international relations. The administration’s approach may be seen as prioritizing economic nationalism over global cooperation, potentially undermining long-standing trade partnerships.
2. Executive Order: Addressing Risks from Susman Godfrey LLP
Analysis: On April 9, President Trump issued an executive order targeting the law firm Susman Godfrey LLP, accusing it of undermining U.S. elections and military effectiveness through its legal activities and diversity programs. This move is part of a broader pattern of the administration singling out law firms that have represented opponents or engaged in litigation against Trump or his allies. Critics argue that such actions threaten the independence of the legal profession and may serve to intimidate firms from taking on cases that challenge the administration, raising concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and the rule of law.
3. Executive Order: Modernizing Defense Acquisitions and Spurring Innovation in the Defense Industrial Base
Analysis: Signed on April 9, this order aims to reform defense procurement processes to enhance efficiency and innovation. While modernization can improve military readiness, expedited procurement may reduce oversight and accountability. Streamlining processes without adequate checks could lead to increased influence of private contractors and potential conflicts of interest.
4. Executive Order: Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance
Analysis: Also signed on April 9, this order focuses on revitalizing the U.S. maritime industry to strengthen national security and economic interests. Investing in maritime capabilities can bolster trade and defense; however, emphasizing dominance may reflect a militaristic stance that prioritizes power projection over diplomatic engagement. There is a risk of escalating tensions in international waters and diverting resources from other critical areas.
5. Executive Order: Reducing Anti-Competitive Regulatory Barriers
Analysis: Continuing the flood of order from April 9, this order seeks to eliminate regulations deemed to hinder competition and economic growth. This executive order raises concerns about the potential erosion of essential regulatory protections. By broadly categorizing certain regulations as “anti-competitive,” there is a risk of dismantling safeguards related to labor rights, environmental standards, and consumer protections. The expedited review process, with tight deadlines and limited public engagement, may prioritize corporate interests over those of workers and marginalized communities. Furthermore, the centralization of decision-making power, with significant influence granted to the FTC Chairman and the Attorney General, could sideline democratic processes and reduce transparency. This approach may pave the way for increased corporate consolidation and reduced accountability, aligning with authoritarian governance models that favor deregulation and the weakening of institutional checks and balances.
6. Executive Order: Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy
Analysis: Again signed on April 9, this order introduces a budgeting approach requiring agencies to justify each regulation from the ground up, particularly affecting the energy sector. This method may disproportionately impact regulations that safeguard public health and the environment. The focus on “unleashing” energy could prioritize fossil fuel interests over sustainable alternatives, hindering progress on climate change mitigation.
7. Executive Order: Reforming Foreign Defense Sales to Improve Speed and Accountability
Analysis: Signed on April 9, President Trump’s executive order aims to streamline the U.S. foreign military sales (FMS) process by reducing regulatory barriers, expediting approvals, and enhancing collaboration between government agencies and defense contractors. The order raises concerns about the potential erosion of oversight and accountability in arms sales. By seeking to adjust congressional notification thresholds and streamline approval processes, the administration may be diminishing the legislative branch’s role in scrutinizing foreign arms transfers, thereby consolidating executive power. Additionally, the emphasis on bolstering the defense industrial base and increasing exports aligns with a militaristic economic agenda that prioritizes defense contractors’ profits over diplomatic solutions and human rights considerations.
8. Executive Order: Maintaining Acceptable Water Pressure in Showerheads
Analysis: On April 9, President Trump reversed previous regulations limiting water pressure in showerheads, citing consumer satisfaction. This rollback may lead to increased water consumption and energy use, conflicting with conservation efforts. The emphasis on deregulation in this context reflects a broader trend of prioritizing short-term convenience over long-term sustainability.
9. Executive Order: Amendment to Reciprocal Tariffs and Updated Duties as Applied to Low-Value Imports from the People’s Republic of China
Analysis: On April 8, President Trump adjusted tariffs on low-value imports from China to address trade imbalances. Targeting low-value imports may affect small businesses and consumers reliant on affordable goods. Such measures could exacerbate economic inequality and strain diplomatic relations, reflecting a protectionist approach that may have unintended domestic consequences.
10. Executive Order: Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry
Analysis: Signed on April 8, this order grants two-year exemptions from EPA regulations to aging coal-fired power plants, allowing them to continue operating despite environmental concerns. While framed as a measure to meet rising power demand, environmental advocates warn that this rollback of pollution controls could have detrimental effects on air quality and public health. The decision reflects the administration’s prioritization of fossil fuel interests over environmental protection, potentially exacerbating climate change and undermining efforts toward sustainable energy solutions.
11. Executive Order: Homeland Security Waiver for Border Wall Construction
Analysis: On April 8, the administration issued a waiver allowing the federal government to bypass environmental regulations to expedite border wall construction in Southern California. This action enables the circumvention of laws designed to protect ecosystems and public lands, raising concerns about environmental degradation and the marginalization of local communities. Critics view this as an authoritarian approach to immigration policy, prioritizing physical barriers over comprehensive reform and humanitarian considerations.
12. Executive Order: Strengthening the Reliability and Security of the United States Electric Grid
Analysis: Also on April 8, this order aims to enhance the electric grid’s reliability by promoting domestic energy sources, including coal. While energy security is a valid concern, the emphasis on fossil fuels over renewable energy sources suggests a regression from previous environmental commitments. This policy may hinder progress toward a sustainable energy future and reflects a broader trend of the administration favoring traditional energy industries at the expense of environmental and public health considerations.
13. Executive Order: Extending the TikTok Enforcement Delay
Analysis: On April 4, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order extending the non-enforcement period of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA) concerning TikTok until June 19, 2025. This marks the second extension. The PAFACA was enacted with bipartisan support and upheld by the Supreme Court, reflecting a clear legislative intent to address national security concerns associated with foreign-controlled applications. By unilaterally delaying enforcement beyond the statute’s provisions, the executive branch may be undermining the rule of law and setting a precedent for selective application of legislation.