WASHINGTON. Hours after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump pardoned approximately 1,500 supporters involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The unprecedented move marks a controversial start to Trump’s second term as he quickly enacted executive orders reversing key policies of his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Trump, 78, took the oath of office inside the Capitol Rotunda, the site of the January 6 riots that resulted in five deaths and injuries to 140 police officers. During the ceremony, he declared, “God saved me to make America great again,” presenting himself as a divine savior tasked with leading the nation through turbulent times.
Among those pardoned were 14 leaders of the far-right Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, whose convictions for their roles in the riots remain intact. The pardons sparked outrage from law enforcement and lawmakers, many of whom had been targeted during the violent attack.
After his inauguration, Trump issued a flurry of executive actions, including declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. This enabled the deployment of troops and the suspension of immigration programs, including one allowing migrants to schedule entry appointments through a smartphone app.
Trump also withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement for the second time in a decade, claiming, “We’re getting rid of all the cancer … caused by the Biden administration.” He announced plans to eliminate federal diversity programs, restrict gender identity policies, and launch a “Department of Government Efficiency” headed by billionaire Elon Musk.
One controversial order canceled flights for nearly 1,660 Afghans cleared for resettlement in the U.S., including relatives of active-duty military personnel.
The indoor ceremony, held amidst extreme cold gripping much of the country, was attended by notable figures, including former Presidents Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. Outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris and Biden, who lost to Trump in November, were seated in a somber section with their families.
In his speech, Trump criticized Biden’s policies on immigration and foreign affairs, claiming, “We have a government that funds foreign borders but refuses to protect its own.”
Tech magnates Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg were prominently seated at the event. Musk raised his fists in approval when Trump announced plans to send astronauts to Mars.
Trump reaffirmed his intention to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” and announced plans to take back control of the Panama Canal, moves that have caused concern among international allies.
Trump’s inauguration marks the first time in over a century that a former president reclaimed the White House after losing reelection. He is also the first convicted felon to hold the office, which his supporters argue underscores his resilience.
As Trump takes his first steps in reshaping the U.S. government, the political divide in the country appears deeper than ever, with supporters hailing his return and critics warning of the implications for democracy.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
