President Donald Trump wasted no time dismantling key policies implemented by the Biden administration, signing a series of executive orders just hours after taking the oath of office on Monday. Among the rescinded orders were those addressing voter registration, artificial intelligence oversight, and protections for LGBTQ+ individuals under Title IX.
Voter Registration Order Revoked
One of the 78 Biden-era executive orders repealed was a March 2021 directive aimed at increasing voter registration. The order instructed federal agencies to take measures to boost voter registration efforts. While the order did not explicitly favor one political party, Republicans had criticized it as an overreach of federal authority, accusing the Biden administration of directing agencies to engage in activities outside their scope.
AI Oversight Order Overturned
Trump also revoked a 2023 executive order from the Biden administration focused on the development and regulation of artificial intelligence. The order had required major AI developers to share data with federal regulators to ensure safety and security. It also called for the creation of standards to balance AI’s economic potential with its associated risks.
The repeal reflects Trump’s approach to reduce federal oversight of technology development, signaling a shift in the government’s role in AI regulation.
Title IX Protections for LGBTQ+ Students Reversed
Trump rescinded a 2021 executive order that had expanded the interpretation of Title IX to protect against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. While the Biden administration later cemented this interpretation through federal regulations, Republican-led states successfully challenged the rule in federal court.
The reversal clears the path for Trump’s administration to revise federal policies on education, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
Cuba Designation as State Sponsor of Terrorism Reinstated
In a move with international implications, Trump reversed Biden’s recent decision to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. Biden had made the decision as part of a deal brokered by the Catholic Church to secure the release of political prisoners on the island. Following the announcement, Cuba began releasing individuals detained during the historic 2021 protests.
Trump’s reversal signals a return to a harder stance on Cuba, marking a sharp departure from Biden’s efforts to improve U.S.-Cuba relations.
Education Department Guidance and COVID-19 Policies Rescinded
Trump also nullified a Biden executive order from 2021 that had directed federal officials to provide guidance to schools on reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic. The order required the Department of Education to investigate the pandemic’s disproportionate effects on students of color and those with disabilities.
While these reversals reflect Trump’s intent to overhaul Biden’s legacy policies, they also set the stage for the Trump administration’s own agenda on technology, education, and foreign policy.
