President-elect Joe Biden will reverse some of President Trump’s most controversial policies and address “four overlapping and worsening crises” during his first 10 days in office – the pandemic, the economic downturn, climate change and racial inequality.
Driving the news: The plan is outlined in a memo from upcoming White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain, Saturday. Following Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday, he will “sign about a dozen actions to combat the four crises,” Klain said.
Zoom in: Biden’s actions on the first day of his presidency include re-joining the Paris climate accord, extending a pause on federal student loan payments, lifting Trump’s travel ban to the U.S. from several Muslim-majority countries. and issuing a mandate for the coronavirus mask.
- On Thursday, Biden signs several executive actions to change the course of the COVID-19 crisis and safely reopen schools and businesses.
- On Friday, the president-elect will “direct his cabinet authorities to take immediate action to provide economic assistance to working families most affected by the coronavirus crisis,” Klain wrote.
- Between January 25 and February 1, Biden will tackle the climate crisis, reform criminal justice, take steps to expand access to healthcare and reform immigration – including reuniting families separated at the border under Trump’s immigration policy.
Why it matters: As Biden prepares to take office, the US faces one of the most politically divisive periods in modern history, with Washington, DC and state capitals wary of possible violence before the post-uprising inauguration in the Capitol and as the pandemic continues. anger.
- Klain’s announcement comes after Biden revealed plans to roll out a $ 1.9 trillion stimulus package, “indicating his willingness to be aggressive on policy issues and confront Republicans from the start to take their lead from him. notes the New York Times, who first wrote the memo.
For the record: All of these measures were previously announced, but this is the first time that Biden’s expanded timetable has been revealed.
- More actions will be announced once they complete a “final legal approval process,” Klain said.
Go deeper: Biden’s “100-Day Challenge”