Following President Joseph Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday, he immediately started working and passing executive orders. After inheriting a struggling economy, the largest disease outbreak in over a century, and more illegal immigrants than before former President Donald Trump went into office Biden began writing legislation to address all of the former concerns. With a variety of issues to tackle, Americans watch to see what Biden’s administration addresses first. 

Immediately after his inauguration, Biden went to the freshly decorated oval office and started passing executive orders. Firstly, he passed an order requiring masks and social distancing on federal property; he currently lacks the authority to pass a nationwide mandate, but he hopes to take initiative where he can. He also rejoined the World Health Organization and created a position for the coordinator of the COVID-19 response currently filled by Democrat Jeff Zients. 

Following his dedication to the COVID-19 response, Biden passed an executive order encouraging racial equity to acknowledge the unrest that took over the country this past summer. In his inaugural address, Biden made it clear that reprimanding racial injustice was high on his agenda.

Throughout his entire first week in office, Biden continued controlling the coronavirus pandemic by passing executive orders to speed up the vaccine process and provide access to more treatments for COVID-19. He once again addressed racial injustice by allotting a task force to reduce inequalities within the  healthcare industry. 

An exciting moment in his first week, Biden’s two German shepherds, Champ and Major, moved into the White House over the weekend. Major, the first rescue dog ever in the White House, became a trending topic online due to not only his rescue status, but also his first press release, co-written by Champ. 

Following his relaxing weekend, Biden officially reversed the transgender military ban, a discriminatory order passed by former President Donald Trump. This, along with Biden’s promise to sign the Equality Act during his first 100 days in office establish him as a LGBTQ+ ally. 

Also within his first 100 days, President Biden has promised to reverse many Trump Administration immigration policies such as separating families at the border and reforming treatment of those in detainment camps. He also hopes to increase police reform and instigate criminal justice reform by banning federal use of private prisons. Finally, he hopes to start a $2 trillion climate change combat plan by the end of his first 100 days. With all of these changes to look forward to, the American people anticipate their new administration and watch closely as President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris settle into the White House. 

“Joe Biden has Kamala Harris already accomplished so much in his first week as our new President. I’m liking what I see so far, so I have high hopes for the rest of his time in office,” senior Molly Geraci said.