Donald Trump pardons Jan. 6 rioters, signs more executive orders
On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, marking the start of his second term. Within hours of taking the oath of office, Trump signed several significant executive orders, signaling his intent to reshape federal policies immediately.
One of his first moves was to grant full pardons to nearly all individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. This decision covered approximately 1,500 people, including prominent leaders of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. Trump fulfilled a campaign promise with this sweeping act, but it has sparked widespread debate over its implications for justice and accountability.
Trump also signed an order to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, reflecting his earlier stance on climate policies. Additionally, he reinstated a hiring freeze for federal government positions and mandated that federal employees return to in-person work, overturning Biden-era flexible work policies.
In another significant move, Trump extended the deadline for TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to find a U.S.-based buyer or face a ban in the country. The extension, lasting 75 days, leaves the app’s future uncertain while providing temporary relief to its 170 million American users.
Reversing many Biden-era policies, Trump rescinded 78 executive orders signed by his predecessor. Notable reversals included ending protections for transgender individuals in the military, removing Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terror, and lifting sanctions on certain Jewish settlers in the West Bank.
Immigration reform was a focal point of Trump’s Day 1 agenda. Trump declared a national emergency on the southern border, ordered the use of Pentagon resources to build the border wall, and signed a measure to redefine birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. Trump’s administration also aimed to target major drug cartels as terrorist organizations, hinting at possible military action.
Trump described these actions as the beginning of a “restoration of America” and promised a return to what he called “common sense governance.” However, critics argue that his sweeping changes will face legal challenges and may polarize the country further.
The day’s events, from the inauguration to the rapid issuance of executive orders, reflect Trump’s ambitious agenda for his second term, setting the stage for contentious debates in the months ahead.
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