Joseph Biden has officially taken office as of January 20th, and he has already signed 40 executive orders. He has made it clear that there will be a change from the past four years, but what can we expect from him?

While Joe Biden isn’t as far left as Bernie or AOC, he’s no republican and he champions very strong democratic beliefs. Most of the executive orders he signed in the first few days were expanding COVID relief or undoing many orders of Trump. 

Biden made it clear that he wants to tackle COVID-19 head on. And while he has not given the $2000 stimulus like he promised, he has passed many executive orders expanding medical care for the virus and aiding in reopening schools, businesses, etc. He has also established a future pandemic preparedness program to deal with future outbreaks. Biden claims that he is taking a more head on approach to the virus than Trump did and plans on having things running smoothly in roughly seven months 

Along with COVID relief bills, he passed many new laws for fair treatment among race, gender, and sexuality. He now allows transgender people to serve in the military, and passed an order preventing discrimination based on gender identity, or sexual orientation. Helping to reduce the stigma around sexual orientation, or gender identity. He revised immigration policy, essentially staying the same with more of a focus on humanitarian qualities, claiming “The policy of my Administration is to protect national and border security, address the humanitarian challenges at the southern border, and ensure public health and safety.” 

But what significance do these new executive orders have on America? First we need to look at the infamous four years of Donald Trump’s presidency. Many claim that he was the worst president while others claim he is one of the best, and for the first time in a very long time political orientation has become a major part of one’s identity. Some are refusing to even be friends with or speak to someone on the other side. What could Trump have done in four years to cause this large of a change? 

Many cite Trump’s blatantly racist claims. And while some consider this a straw man it’s clear that Trump is not popular among the black community with only 20% voting for him in 2020. It’s clear that there is not only a political party divide but a racial divide as an incredible majority vote democrat while a majority of white voters go republican. This dates back years as African Americans were legally oppressed until 1964, only 56 years ago. This plays a large role in African American votes today and while most never lived through the time period of segregation or slavery the effects still linger in their communities. And voting in Donald Trump, someone who has a horrid history of racism (Make a link to another article), is voted into office. It can create a large divide, and makes us look at this country’s racist tendencies. 

Beyond racial tensions Trump was very controversial. His constant lies in his rallies, his outdated ideals, treatment of women, racism, made him the most controversial president in recent history, and for many a serious candidate for the worst president in US history. 

This is what makes Joe Biden’s first few days so important. A president of the opposite party taking the seat from one of the most controversial presidents in US history, he had to make big changes. And he did, over 40 executive orders with lots of them simply undoing what Trump signed. Biden has proved to be much more active than most were expecting including myself. And I hope to see him lead this country into a better future.