On his first day as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump immediately set to work with a series of executive orders and public speeches that reflected his combative style and vision for his second term. After being sworn in, Trump delivered an inaugural address in which he declared the beginning of America’s “golden age,” promising that the nation’s challenges would be “annihilated” by his MAGA movement.

Trump’s administration wasted no time in issuing orders that aimed to dismantle key policies from the Biden administration. Among the most significant actions was his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement once again, a reversal of one of Biden’s signature actions from his first term. Trump also signed orders requiring federal employees to return to in-person work, and he pledged to declare a national emergency at the southern border, vowing to immediately halt illegal immigration and begin deporting criminal aliens.

As part of his aggressive policy agenda, Trump pardoned approximately 1,500 of his supporters who had attacked the U.S. Capitol during the January 6th riots four years ago, fulfilling one of his key promises to his base. These pardons marked an early move to assert his influence over the U.S. government, just hours after reclaiming the presidency.

In a notable shift in U.S. foreign policy, Trump also declared that the United States would leave the World Health Organization (WHO), citing the agency’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises. This decision set the stage for a broader debate about U.S. engagement with global health institutions and the future of the WHO’s role in managing global health challenges.

On the domestic front, Trump launched an aggressive immigration crackdown. His administration directed the military to assist with border security, issued a broad ban on asylum, and moved to restrict citizenship for children born on U.S. soil, signaling a more hardline stance on immigration policy.

During his first official speech as president, Trump touched on themes of unity but quickly pivoted to divisive rhetoric in a second speech given informally at the Capitol’s Emancipation Hall. There, he repeated his unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 presidential election had been “rigged” and used the occasion to criticize political adversaries like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Joe Biden. Trump also promised to release individuals convicted for their involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot, referring to them as “hostages” who would be freed during his presidency.

Looking ahead, Trump expressed a bold vision for the future of America, pledging to reinvigorate the country through space exploration. He stated his intent to send American astronauts to Mars, while also hinting at territorial ambitions, including his controversial claim about reclaiming the Panama Canal from Panama and China.

Trump’s first day in office reflected the aggressive agenda he ran on during the 2024 election. His executive orders, public speeches, and declarations signaled that he would push forward with his promises to challenge the political establishment, reshape U.S. policies, and promote a future-focused vision for the country.