Trump Inauguration highlights: Trump signs order for US to exit WHO, withdraws from Paris Accords

Donald Trump Inauguration Day highlights: Stay with us for all the latest news updates as Trump takes over the White House

Donald Trump highlights: Following his inauguration, US President Donald Trump quickly took action announced initiatives on immigration, trade, energy, and federal workforce policies, reversing many of the previous Biden administration's actions. “We will immediately restore the integrity, competency, and loyalty of America’s government,” Trump stated in his inaugural speech on Monday. Trump evealed plans for various executive orders, including overturning many of Biden's policies. Trump has reportedly prepared approximately 100 orders and promised a “complete restoration of America.” However, many of these measures are anticipated to face legal challenges.

  US President Donald Trump signed an executive order that extended the operations of TikTok, the Chinese controlled video short sharing platform, by 75 days, during which he plans to pursue a resolution that protects national security while saving a platform used by 170 million Americans. I am instructing the attorney general not to take any action to enforce the Act for a period of 75 days from today to allow my Administration an opportunity to determine the appropriate course forward in an orderly way that protects national security while avoiding an abrupt shutdown of a communications platform used by millions of Americans, said the executive order signed by Trump.  Soon after taking charge as the 47th US president on Monday, Donald Trump signed a first round of executive orders aiming to assert control of the federal workforce, and withdraw from the Paris climate treaty, among others, to halt a slew of orders passed by the previous Joe Biden administration. Among the executive orders Trump signed with a flourish in front of a cheering crowd was one mandating that federal workers return to their offices five days a week. The move followed the new president's pledge to end the work-from-home culture that became common during the Covid-19 pandemic. Trump also ordered a federal hiring freeze on his first day back in office, mirroring an action he took at the start of his first term to try to reduce the size of government. 

US President Donald Trump has "America First" as his priorities and this includes making America safe again, making the country affordable, achieving energy dominance, draining the swamp and bringing back American values, the White House said on Monday. Minutes after Trump's inauguration as the 47th president of the United States, the White House said he would take bold action to secure the border and protect American communities. This includes ending Biden's catch-and-release policies, reinstating Remain in Mexico, building the wall, ending asylum for illegal border crossers, cracking down on criminal sanctuaries, and enhancing vetting and screening of aliens. Trump will begin the process of designating cartels, including the dangerous Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organizations and use the Alien Enemies Act to remove them, the White House said. 

 

12:11 PM

Trump attends Commander in Chief Ball, dances with military sword in hand

Donald Trump attended the Commander in Chief Ball and shared a dance with first lady Melania Trump.

11:52 AM

Panama bristles at Trump's comments on canal

Panama President Jos Ral Mulino responded forcefully Monday, as he did after Trump's initial statement last month that the U.S. should consider repossessing the canal, saying the canal belongs to his country of 4 million and will remain Panama's territory.

11:51 AM

Trump to revoke clearances of ex-officials linked to Hunter's laptop letter

President Donald Trump says his administration will move to suspend the security clearances of the more than four dozen former intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter saying that the Hunter Biden laptop saga bore the hallmarks of a Russian information operation. The action is an early indication of Trump's determination to exact retribution on perceived adversaries.

11:41 AM

From pardoning rioters to climate accords, here's a list of Donald Trump's executive orders

Donald Trump has announced measures across immigration, trade, energy, and federal workforce policies. Read here for a more detailed story.

11:25 AM

Trump rolls back Biden executive actions

Trump has rescinded 78 Biden-era executive actions including an order that required executive branch appointees to sign an ethics pledge; an order that allowed transgender people to serve in the military; and an order that banned the renewal of private prison contracts.

11:00 AM

Musk accused of performing Nazi salute at Donald Trump's inauguration event

The billionaire is facing the heat after making gestures that critics likened to Nazi salutes during a speech celebrating Donald Trump’s swearing-in as the 47th President of the United States. During his speech, Elon Musk struck his chest with his right hand before extending his arm upward at an angle, palm down and fingers together. He then turned to face the crowd behind him and repeated the gesture. 

10:55 AM

Trump signs executive order seeking to limit legal recognition of trans people in US

Trump's order mandates that federal agencies use its definition of “sex,” (“an individual’s immutable biological classification as either male or female”) rather than “gender” or “gender identity” in enacting policy.

10:40 AM

Donald Trump's DOGE attracts instant lawsuits challenging its operations

Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday to create an advisory group called the Department of Government Efficiency aimed at carrying out dramatic cuts to the US government, attracting immediate lawsuits challenging its operations.  The committee, despite its name, is not a department and has limited official power to carry out any reorganisation, let alone the sweeping cuts proposed by Musk and Ramaswamy. Government employee unions, watchdog groups, and public interest organizations sued within minutes of the announcement.

10:13 AM

From pardons to Musk's gesture: Key highlights of Trump's inauguration

After being sworn in, President Donald Trump outlined his vision for the next four years during his inaugural address. He signed approximately 80 executive orders aimed at reversing major policies of the Biden administration. Read here for a detailed story.

9:52 AM

Trump signs order for US to exit WHO

Donald Trump has signed an executive order to remove the US from the World Health Organization (WHO). “World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. It’s not going to happen anymore,” Trump said at the signing. The withdrawal of the US would dramatically cut funding from the global public health organization.

9:21 AM

Trump signs order to end birthright citizenship

Donald Trump has signed an executive order seeking to revoke birthright citizenship – automatic citizenship for people born in the US – for the children of undocumented immigrants. Birthright citizenship is protected by the 14th amendment and the order will almost certainly be challenged in court.

9:15 AM

Trump renames Gulf of Mexico in an effort to "honor American greatness"

President Donald Trump took executive action Monday to rename multiple US landmarks in a move that his White House said will “honor American greatness.” The landmarks included including Mount McKinley and the Gulf of America. “It is in the national interest to promote the extraordinary heritage of our Nation and ensure future generations of American citizens celebrate the legacy of our American heroes,” the text of the executive order says.

9:08 AM

News update: Trump pardons January 6 rioters amid slew of executive orders

Trump has pardoned US Capitol rioters, saying the pardon would cover more than 1,500 people, which will cover nearly everyone charged since the attack on January 6, 2021. He also commuted the sentences of Oath Keepers and Proud Boys.

8:36 AM

Trump issues sweeping pardon of supporters charged in Jan 6 Capitol attack

President Donald Trump on Monday said he was pardoning about 1,500 of his supporters who have been charged in the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack, using his sweeping clemency powers on his first day back in office to dismantle the largest investigation and prosecution in Justice Department history. The pardons were expected after Trump's yearslong campaign to rewrite the history of the January 6 attack that left more than 100 police officers injured and threatened the peaceful transfer of power.

8:08 AM

Donald Trump signs executive order extending TikTok operations for 75 days

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order extending TikTok’s operations by 75 days. He aims to resolve national security concerns while preserving the platform used by 170 million Americans.