TLDR:
- Trump has revoked 104 of Biden’s 162 executive orders — 62% — in just one year, the most aggressive presidential policy reversal in modern history
- The last time a president dismantled a predecessor’s legacy with such intensity was Thomas Jefferson reversing John Adams’ policies
- Experts debate whether the erasure is driven by campaign promises or personal animosity following Biden’s “semi-fascist” remarks and Justice Department indictments
- Biden’s Infrastructure and CHIPS acts remain untouched, but most of his climate, immigration and DEI policies have been eliminated
President Trump is systematically erasing President Biden’s legacy at a pace unseen in modern American history.
As Mr. Trump marks one year of his second term Tuesday, he has revoked 104 of the 162 executive orders Mr. Biden issued — a staggering 62%, according to a Washington Times analysis.
Hours after taking office, Mr. Trump issued more than 80 executive orders dismantling Mr. Biden’s policies on immigration, climate and diversity programs. He pulled America from the World Health Organization and Paris Climate Accord. In March, he rescinded 18 Biden executive actions in a single day.
Historian Craig Shirley said the last president to attack a predecessor’s achievements with such vigor was Thomas Jefferson, who reversed nearly everything John Adams did.
The question dividing political observers: Is this personal or policy?
“I wouldn’t make it personal; it’s really kind of changing the trajectory after a very bad Democratic administration,” said political strategist John Feehery.
Others disagree, pointing to bitter history between the men. Mr. Biden called Mr. Trump and his allies “semi-fascists” in 2022. The Biden Justice Department brought four federal indictments against Mr. Trump.
Mr. Biden’s Infrastructure law and CHIPS Act remain intact, but his climate legacy appears finished.
Read more:
• Joe who? Trump’s mission to erase all traces of the Biden presidency
This article is written with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence based solely on Washington Times original reporting and wire services. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Steve Fink, Director of Artificial Intelligence, at sfink@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
