Trump Begins Second Term with Wave of Executive Orders and Bold Promises

U.S. President Donald Trump began his second term with a series of executive orders addressing immigration, environmental policy, and foreign relations, signaling an assertive start to his administration.

The president’s first full day in office commenced with a prayer service at the National Cathedral, following a high-energy inauguration and policy announcements on Monday. Trump, 78, had last visited the cathedral earlier this month for the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter.

Hours after taking the oath of office, Trump signed a wide array of executive orders, including withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate Accord and the World Health Organization. He also granted pardons to approximately 1,500 individuals charged in the January 6 Capitol riot and declared a national emergency at the Mexican border, enabling increased troop deployment to combat illegal immigration. Trump further announced plans to impose trade tariffs, rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” and revisit U.S. control of the Panama Canal.

Speaking to a cheering crowd at a Washington sports arena, Trump declared that America’s decline was over and that a “golden age” had begun. He held an impromptu 50-minute press conference in the Oval Office while signing additional orders, describing them as critical measures to restore the nation’s greatness.

The president expressed willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though he downplayed earlier campaign promises to negotiate a peace agreement in Ukraine before taking office. Trump criticized Putin for “destroying Russia” by prolonging the war but avoided committing to a specific timeline for U.S. involvement.

China responded to the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO by reaffirming its support for the global health organization, with its foreign ministry calling for strengthened international cooperation.

The decision to leave the WHO drew sharp criticism both domestically and internationally, with experts warning that the move could weaken U.S. access to vital epidemic surveillance data and harm its position in global health leadership.

Trump’s inauguration, held indoors due to freezing weather, featured a mix of ceremony and rhetoric reminiscent of his first term. Former President Joe Biden, 82, watched stoically as Trump declared the end of Democratic policies.

In the evening, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended multiple inaugural balls, where the president reiterated his commitment to national security, vowing that the United States would “win, win, win.”

Trump’s return to office is historic in several respects. At 78, he is the oldest U.S. president to take office. He is also the first convicted felon to assume the presidency, following his conviction related to campaign finance violations during his first run. Additionally, Trump becomes only the second U.S. president in history to serve non-consecutive terms, following Grover Cleveland.

As his second term begins, Trump’s sweeping policy changes and bold declarations set the stage for a contentious and eventful administration.