Executive orders give some clues as to how Trump’s priorities could impact Maryland
Updated: 5:52 PM EST Jan 20, 2025
President Donald Trump’s first tasks upon taking office include signing executive orders, which could give some clues as to the administration’s priorities.The president’s executive orders are expected to match many of the points he made during his inaugural address. Some are likely to be challenged in court, while others are considered symbolic.| SECOND TERM: Key actions Trump says he will enact in the first 100 daysSome of the priorities include rolling back protections for transgender people, terminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the federal government, and ending remote work policies that could impact some 142,000 federal employees who live in Maryland.There are many more executive orders expected that could have a direct impact on Maryland. Trump was expected to sign an executive order to pardon some 1,300 people — 17 from Maryland — who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in a day of chaos, violence and destruction.| MORE: Trump promises ‘Day One’ executive orders in first day in officeWith the exception of the U.S. Wind project in Ocean City, which has already secured permits, an executive order stopping the production of offshore wind farms could impact Maryland’s green-energy goals.”I think this is going to be a big challenge for Maryland. We would get 8 gigawatts of electricity from offshore wind. It is a ripe area for wind generation off our East Coast. It is much more likely for them to move forward at the pace we expected,” said Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, D-District 46.The president plans to sign an executive order declaring a state of emergency at the border to include using the U.S. military to close the border. He also is declaring an end to birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.| ALSO: Trump will issue executive orders targeting immigration, citizenshipThe president’s stand on immigration prompted Baltimore City Public Schools to send a letter to parents outlining the district’s immigration policy and student privacy.The letter from City Schools reads, in part: “We encourage all students to attend school, participate in activities and enjoy time with friends without fear … Schools are protected areas. This means that immigration enforcement actions generally are not permitted at or near schools.”CASA, a group that advocates for immigrants, sent a statement to 11 News, saying: “President Trump has launched a full-scale assault on immigrant families and communities of color: From directly challenging the 14th Amendment by threatening to end birthright citizenship to suspending asylum access and refugee resettlement to the most vulnerable among us.”| AND: Can birthright citizenship be repealed? Breaking down Trump’s proposalMaryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, issued a statement saying his administration is dedicated to defending constitutional rights and growing Maryland’s economy, as well as restoring faith in public servants, institutions and democracy. The governor said he will partner with the Trump-Vance administration when they are aligned on those core principles.Governor’s full statement”The peaceful transfer of power is not something we invented – it’s something we inherited from our founders, starting right here in the Annapolis State House when in 1783, Gen. George Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief. Democracy is our greatest heirloom as a nation, and it’s something we hope to pass on and make more enduring for the next generation.”Our priority has been – and will continue to be – protecting the interests of all Marylanders. In the days after the 2024 election, we articulated our shared dedication to four key principles: Deliver for Marylanders; defend our constitutional rights; grow our economy; and restore faith in our public servants, our institutions, and our democracy. We thank the Biden-Harris administration for their steadfast partnership in pursuing each of these four goals, and we will partner with the Trump-Vance administration when we are aligned on those core principles that will make progress for Marylanders. We pray for God’s grace as our state and nation open this next chapter.”
BALTIMORE —President Donald Trump’s first tasks upon taking office include signing executive orders, which could give some clues as to the administration’s priorities.
The president’s executive orders are expected to match many of the points he made during his inaugural address. Some are likely to be challenged in court, while others are considered symbolic.
| SECOND TERM: Key actions Trump says he will enact in the first 100 days
Some of the priorities include rolling back protections for transgender people, terminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the federal government, and ending remote work policies that could impact some 142,000 federal employees who live in Maryland.
There are many more executive orders expected that could have a direct impact on Maryland. Trump was expected to sign an executive order to pardon some 1,300 people — 17 from Maryland — who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in a day of chaos, violence and destruction.
| MORE: Trump promises ‘Day One’ executive orders in first day in office
With the exception of the U.S. Wind project in Ocean City, which has already secured permits, an executive order stopping the production of offshore wind farms could impact Maryland’s green-energy goals.
“I think this is going to be a big challenge for Maryland. We would get 8 gigawatts of electricity from offshore wind. It is a ripe area for wind generation off our East Coast. It is much more likely for them to move forward at the pace we expected,” said Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, D-District 46.
The president plans to sign an executive order declaring a state of emergency at the border to include using the U.S. military to close the border. He also is declaring an end to birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.
| ALSO: Trump will issue executive orders targeting immigration, citizenship
The president’s stand on immigration prompted Baltimore City Public Schools to send a letter to parents outlining the district’s immigration policy and student privacy.
The letter from City Schools reads, in part: “We encourage all students to attend school, participate in activities and enjoy time with friends without fear … Schools are protected areas. This means that immigration enforcement actions generally are not permitted at or near schools.”
CASA, a group that advocates for immigrants, sent a statement to 11 News, saying: “President Trump has launched a full-scale assault on immigrant families and communities of color: From directly challenging the 14th Amendment by threatening to end birthright citizenship to suspending asylum access and refugee resettlement to the most vulnerable among us.”
| AND: Can birthright citizenship be repealed? Breaking down Trump’s proposal
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, issued a statement saying his administration is dedicated to defending constitutional rights and growing Maryland’s economy, as well as restoring faith in public servants, institutions and democracy. The governor said he will partner with the Trump-Vance administration when they are aligned on those core principles.
Governor’s full statement
“The peaceful transfer of power is not something we invented – it’s something we inherited from our founders, starting right here in the Annapolis State House when in 1783, Gen. George Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief. Democracy is our greatest heirloom as a nation, and it’s something we hope to pass on and make more enduring for the next generation.
“Our priority has been – and will continue to be – protecting the interests of all Marylanders. In the days after the 2024 election, we articulated our shared dedication to four key principles: Deliver for Marylanders; defend our constitutional rights; grow our economy; and restore faith in our public servants, our institutions, and our democracy. We thank the Biden-Harris administration for their steadfast partnership in pursuing each of these four goals, and we will partner with the Trump-Vance administration when we are aligned on those core principles that will make progress for Marylanders. We pray for God’s grace as our state and nation open this next chapter.”
