Introduction
Since taking office on January 20, 2025, President Trump has issued dozens of executive orders and directives, many of which target immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, people of Color, the environment, and more. These actions make clear the communities and policies at heightened risk under the new administration. We stand in solidarity with these vulnerable communities and urge Congress to protect all those impacted by these executive actions.
Background
Shortly after being inaugurated, President Trump issued several executive orders that strip protections from immigrants, including invoking emergency declarations to weaponize the military against migrants, punishing sanctuary jurisdictions, closing the border to asylum seekers, suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, and ending birthright citizenship. Collectively, these orders seek to re-establish an immigration regime rooted in the mass detention and deportation of migrants that endangers lives, separates families, and refuses to uphold the universal right to seek asylum.
President Trump also issued several orders targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and people of Color. This includes proclaiming that the federal government will recognize only two genders (male and female) on official documents and in all programs and communications, reinstating his transgender military ban, and prohibiting federal funding for gender-affirming medical care for people under age 19 nationwide. He also ordered all executive agencies to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within 60 days and terminated a 1965 executive order implementing anti-discrimination requirements for federal agencies and contractors.
Finally, President Trump issued several executive actions jeopardizing critical climate progress. This included withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement, freezing federal funding for clean energy and infrastructure improvements, expanding oil and natural gas drilling, and rescinding many Biden-era environmental protections. These orders weaken our international climate leadership and threaten the health and safety of our environment and all Americans.
Jewish Values
As Reform Jews, we are guided by God's call to center the most vulnerable: the widow, the orphan, and the stranger. God created this covenant so that the descendants of Sarah and Abraham would be a blessing. We realize this blessing through our work to heal what is broken in our world and shape a narrative of justice inspired by the voices of our prophets. We will work to protect vulnerable communities so that all people can experience peace and wholeness (shalom), justice and equity (tzedek), and belonging and joy (shayachut and simcha).
Additional Information
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