Trump’s Executive Actions: Advancing a White Nationalist Agenda

The Trump administration is dismantling 250 years of progress in racial and gender equality, replacing it with the principles and tenants of white nationalism. I cannot stand by and ignore this crucial moment in our history; I must document it. I must present the truth as I see it to help those who may be confused understand the strategies being deployed by Trump and his supporters.

By shedding light on their actions, I aim to prepare and empower those ready to take meaningful steps to protect the racial and gender progress we have fought so hard to achieve in this country—and the world.

White Nationalism

What is white nationalism, and what are its principles? To answer this, we must first recognize and accept the plain historical fact that the United States was founded on the tenets of white nationalism. This insidious system, based on skin color, still influences governance around the world, where “whiteness” has been declared supreme over all other races. Fortunately, the powerful words in the Declaration of Independence have motivated the people and the government of the United States to adhere to the true meaning of the phrase “…all men are created equal…”

Getting to where we are in 2025 wasn’t easy. It took a brutal Civil War to end slavery, followed by a series of constitutional amendments to abolish it, grant citizenship to Black people, and protect our right to vote. Then came another fierce battle for civil rights that lasted over a century, fighting against Jim Crow and discrimination. That fight culminated in landmark civil rights laws and executive orders, the real substance of which came between 1964 and 1968. These laws and orders didn’t just change things for Black people—they paved the way for progress for all races and genders.

America’s strides in racial, gender, and religious equality have not only made us unique among nations, but have also positioned us as a symbol of hope on the global stage.

Below, I will present the principle tenets of white nationalism ideology that formed the political and societal foundation of the United States. Then, I will present a list of Donald J. Trump’s Executive Orders and Actions so you can see how Trump and his political allies are attempting to revert this nation back to the core tenets of white nationalist ideology, which the country has spent the last 250 years trying to escape. I will keep this list updated.

The Principle Tenents of White Nationalism

White nationalism is an ideology centered on the belief that white people constitute a distinct nation deserving of political, economic, and social dominance. The primary tenets of white nationalism include:

1. Racial Superiority: The Belief that white individuals are inherently superior to people of other races, often leading to the belief that they should maintain control over societal institutions.
2. Preservation of White Culture: A focus on maintaining and promoting what is perceived as traditional white culture, often accompanied by the belief that multiculturalism and diversity dilute or undermine this culture.
3. Anti-Immigration Stance: Opposition to immigration from nonwhite countries, based on the belief that such immigration threatens the cultural and genetic purity of the white race.
4. Ethno-Nationalism: The aspiration to establish a homogeneous nation-state exclusively or predominantly composed of white individuals, often advocating for policies that promote racial segregation or exclusion.
5. Conspiracy Theories: Adherence to beliefs that there are deliberate efforts, such as the so-called “white genocide” or “Great Replacement,” aimed at eradicating or replacing the white population through demographic changes.

Trump’s Executive Orders and Actions Affirming White Nationalism Ideology

Trump’s executive orders and actions have unmistakably reinforced the principles of white nationalism, raising critical concerns about their impact on America’s values and unity.

Take note of how many executive orders directly undermine the Civil Rights Acts—it’s staggering. These actions affect every aspect of life, from employment to housing, and disproportionately impact nonwhites, women, the elderly, LGBTQ+, those with mental challenges, and individuals with disabilities.

1. Trump Ends Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accesability (DEI) Programs: Trump signed an executive order to stop federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, Closing all DEI offices and placing all relevant employees on paid administrative leave pending termination.
   • Relevant Law: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination by federally funded programs.
2. Trump Revokes Workplace Protections: He canceled federal rules requiring federal contractors to promote equal opportunities and diversity in hiring
   • Relevant Law: Executive Order 11246, initially established by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, to enforce non-discrimination in federal contracting. It forbade contractors from discriminating based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin and required affirmative action programs.
3. Trump Revokes Civil Rights Enforcement in Employment: He rolled back policies enforcing equal employment opportunity laws, affecting protections against workplace discrimination.
   • Relevant Law: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits workplace discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
4. Trump Defines Gender in the US as Male or Female Only: A new policy states that the government will only recognize two biological sexes, male and female.
   • Relevant Law: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.
5. Trump Signs Executive Order To End Birth Right Status
   • Relevant Law: Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1868. The law states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” White nationalists don’t want any more nonwhite babies born in America to undocumented immigrants to claim the US citizenship status.
   • Important Note: It’s a numbers thing. All Trump/White Nationalists immigration and deportation efforts are aimed at reducing the total number of nonwhite people in the US because they don’t want the US population to become more nonwhite than white. According to the US Census Bureau’s 2020 data, individuals identifying as White alone constituted 61.6% of the US population. When including those who identify as White in combination with another race, this figure rises to 71%. The US Census Bureau projects the United States to become a majority-minority nation by the mid-2040s. This means that by around 2044, non-Hispanic Whites will comprise less than 50% of the US population, with the combined populations of Hispanics, African Americans, Asians, and other minority groups making up the majority.
6. Trump Shuts Down the US Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division: He effectively halts all federal investigations into civil rights violations, including those involving police departments.
   • Relevant Laws:
   • Civil Rights Act of 1957. This act established the Civil Rights Division within the Department of Justice, empowering it to enforce federal statutes prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, sex, disability, religion, familial status, and national origin. The division plays a crucial role in upholding civil rights across various sectors, including education, employment, housing, voting, and law enforcement.
   • Civil Rights Act of 1964: This is a landmark legislation that outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The enforcement of this act has been a primary responsibility of the Civil Rights Division, addressing issues such as segregation and unequal application of voter registration requirements.
   • Voting Rights Act of 1965: This act prohibits racial discrimination in voting. The Civil Rights Division has been instrumental in enforcing its provisions, ensuring all citizens have equal access to the voting process.
   • Fair Housing Act of 1968: This legislation aims to eliminate discrimination concerning the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, and national origin. Later, these protections extended to sex, disability, and family status. The Civil Rights Division enforces this act to promote equal housing opportunities.
   • Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990: This act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. The Civil Rights Division ensures compliance with this law, advocating for accessibility and equal rights for disabled individuals.
   • Equal Credit Opportunity Act: This law makes it unlawful for creditors to discriminate against applicants based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, or age. The Civil Rights Division enforces this act to promote fairness in lending practices.
   • US Constitution – Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment: This clause provides that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction “the equal protection of the laws.” The Civil Rights Division is vital in upholding this constitutional guarantee by addressing systemic discrimination and ensuring equal treatment under the law.
7. Trump Halts Refugee Processing
   • Relevant Laws: Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) of 1952,
   • Refugee Act of 1980.
   • United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol.
8. Trump Signs Executive Order to Suspend Foreign Aid for 90 Days
   • Relevant Law: Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) of 1952.
   • Note: Directed against nonwhite nations.
9. Trump Shut Down the Spanish Version of the White House Website
   • Note: Trump and his supporters don’t want to make things easier for nonwhite Spanish-speaking immigrants.
10. Trump Bans Transgender People from the Military: Trump reinstated a ban preventing transgender individuals from serving in the US military.
    • Relevant Law: The Military Selective Service Act has traditionally defined eligibility criteria for service.
11. Trump’s Pick to Head the Department of Defense Clears Senate for Full Vote:
    • Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has faced scrutiny over tattoos that some perceive as linked to extremist ideologies. Notably, he has a tattoo featuring the Latin phrase “Deus Vult,” meaning “God wills it,” which dates back to the Crusades and has been adopted by certain white supremacist groups in modern times. This association led to his removal from National Guard duty during President Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration, as he was flagged as a potential “insider threat” by a fellow service member. He has also expressed anti-muslim sentiment on numerous occasions: Hegseth portrayed Islam as a significant threat to Western civilization, suggesting that Muslims aim to “conquer” Europe and America through demographic changes and cultural influence. He also praised the medieval Crusades, implying that modern Christians should adopt a similar stance against Islamists. Additionally, Hegseth has voiced concerns about the increasing number of Muslim-Americans elected to public office, viewing it as a potential threat to American values. He has also criticized the birth rates of Muslim communities in states like Michigan, New York, and Minnesota, suggesting that these demographic trends could undermine the nation’s Judeo-Christian foundations.
    • These statements have raised concerns about Hegseth’s views on religious diversity and his suitability for a leadership role that requires impartiality and respect for all faiths. In addition, he has often expressed his disapproval of women’s roles in the military, saying, “I’m straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles. It hasn’t made us more effective; it hasn’t made us more lethal; it has made fighting more complicated.” all these things have raised concerns about Hegseth’s views on race, religious diversity and his suitability for a leadership role that requires impartiality and respect for all races, women, and faiths.
    • Add allegations of alcoholism, womanizing, marital infidelity, and corporate financial mismanagement, and it becomes clear: this is not the kind of person who should lead the most powerful military in history. Yet, for white nationalists who idolize his beliefs and openly racist tattoos, he’s a dream candidate. This nomination isn’t about leadership or integrity—it’s about pushing an extremist agenda that undermines the very principles our military is sworn to defend.
    • Important Note: If Pete Hegseth is confirmed as Secretary of Defense, it will mark one of the most destabilizing decisions for our military in modern history. His controversial views, from opposing women in combat roles to expressing anti-Muslim sentiments, risk undermining the unity, morale, and effectiveness of our forces. At a time when cohesion and trust within the ranks are more critical than ever, Hegseth’s divisive leadership could sow discord and jeopardize the readiness of the very institution tasked with protecting our nation. This is a decision we cannot afford to get wrong.

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