Transition to the White House: Joe Biden Promises a Series of Executive Orders on the First Day of his Presidency

Steph Deschamps / January 17, 2021

Joe Biden will sign a series of executive orders on the first day of his presidency, Wednesday, notably to re-engage the United States in the Paris climate agreement, announced Saturday his future chief of staff, Ron Klain.

The passage of these first measures by decree will avoid the new Head of State having to go through Congress and in particular the Senate, which may have to devote itself to the procedure for the removal of Donald Trump.

Another measure among the dozen or so decrees announced is the lifting of the ban on entry into the United States for nationals of several countries, mainly Muslim-majority countries.

The ban was enacted just days after Donald Trump took office in January 2017.

The chief of staff did not detail all of the orders in council, indicating that they related to Joe Biden's four priorities: fighting the coronavirus, fighting climate change, boosting the economy and fighting for social and racial justice.

Concerning the pandemic, the 46th President of the United States will issue an executive order making it mandatory to wear masks in federal buildings and spaces, as well as during interstate travel, which Donald Trump had always refused to do.

On the economic front, Joe Biden also plans to extend the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures related to the pandemic.

The new president will follow up with a series of other executive orders, all of which will be signed by February 1, the first 10 days of his presidency, Ron Klain said in a statement.