Live
LIVE: Donald Trump pardons 1,500 January 6 rioters as he celebrates inauguration at three glitzy balls
21 January 2025, 07:34
Donald Trump danced the first night of his presidency away, as he attended three balls across Washington after signing a slew of executive orders.
Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, pledging to take swift action and sign several executive orders before even stepping foot inside the White House.
They include pardons for January the 6th Capitol rioters, pulling out of the Paris climate agreement, ending ties with the World Health Organisation, and declaring drugs cartels "foreign terrorist organisations".
Speaking to a packed rally of enthusiastic supporters, Trump vowed to bring significant change from day one, declaring that his administration would "ensure the curtain closes on four long years of American decline."
His speech was met with cheers as he laid out ambitious plans to reverse policies he claims have hindered the nation's progress.
- Donald Trump sworn in as 47th US president
- Trump signs slew of executive orders on day one
- Biden told Trump ‘Welcome Home’ on the steps of the White House
- Trump declares a 'state of emergency' at US-Mexico border
- Biden pardons key figures including Fauci and Jan 6 committee
‘He knew what he was doing…’
Watch: Nick Ferrari listeners are divided over Elon Musk’s controversial gesture at Donald Trump’s inauguration.
'What did he say?': People desperate to hear Barron Trump's comment at inauguration that ‘wiped smile of Biden’s face’
Social media users are desperate to find out what was said between Baron Trump and Joe Biden during yesterday’s inauguration ceremony.
A short clip showing the pair’s brief interaction has captured the imagination of the internet, as thousands desperately try and work out what Baron said to the former president.
Fury as Elon Musk appears to do 'Nazi salute' at Trump inauguration rally
Elon Musk has been blasted by social media users for doing what they called a 'Nazi salute' on stage.
Musk's gesture was aimed at a crowd of Trump supporters at the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. as part of celebrations following Donald Trump's inauguration as the 47th President of the United States earlier today.
But some Musk fans he was "extending his heart to the crowd" and the gesture was taken out of context.
WHO responds to Trump
Dr Tedros Ghebreysus, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), responded on X to Trump's executive order for the US to leave the organization.
He wrote that the WHO "regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization."
He also said that the US was one of WHO's founders and has played a large role in shaping the organisation.
"We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe."
Confused about Bitcoin?
Christian May explains to Nick Ferrari Donald Trump’s plans for ‘a strategic reserve’ of bitcoin in the US.
Trump: Putin is destroying Russia
Donald Trump has said Putin's war in Ukraine is "destroying Russia"
“He should make a deal. I think he’s destroying Russia by not making a deal,” he said from the Oval Office
“I think Russia’s going to be in big trouble."
The president confirmed he will meet with the Russian leader soon.
“I got along with him great, I would hope he wants to make a deal,” Trump said.
“He can’t be thrilled he’s not doing so well. I mean, he’s grinding it out, but most people thought that war would have been over in about one week, and now you’re into three years.”
Donald Trump 'not confident' Gaza ceasefire will hold
Trump has cast doubt over the solidity of the recently signed ceasefire in Gaza.
"That's not our war, it's their war. But I'm not confident," he told reporters.
He added that Hamas had been "weakened" and that Gaza looked like a "massive demolition site".
Trump ushers in 'golden age for people who break the law'
Democratic leader in the Senate Chuck Schumer has hit out at Donald Trump for pardoning 1,500 January 6 rioters.
Schumer said in a statement: "The people who invaded the Capitol on January 6, whether they committed violence or not, should not have been pardoned.
"They unlawfully broke into the Capitol to stop the peaceful transfer of power. What they did is a serious crime. "
'YOU'RE FIRED': Trump announces plan to fire 'thousands' of Biden appointees
Donald Trump has taken to Truth Social to announce plans to axe thousands of workers employed by Biden during his time in office.
He wrote: "Our first day in the White House is not over yet!
"My Presidential Personnel Office is actively in the process of identifying and removing over a thousand Presidential Appointees from the previous Administration, who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again.
"Let this serve as Official Notice of Dismissal for these 4 individuals, with many more, coming soon:
"Jose Andres from the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, Mark Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, Brian Hook from the Wilson Center for Scholars, and Keisha Lance Bottoms from the President’s Export Council—YOU’RE FIRED!"
Nancy Pelosi brands January 6 pardon 'shameful'
Senior Democrat Nancy Pelosi has branded Donald Trump's decision to pardon 1,500 January 6 rioters 'shameful'
She said in a statement: "The president's actions are an outrageous insult to our justice system and the heroes who suffered physical scars and emotional trauma as they protected the Capitol, the Congress and the Constitution.
"It is shameful that the president has decided to make one of his top priorities the abandonment and betrayal of police officers who put their lives on the line to stop an attempt to subvert the peaceful transfer of power.
"Despite the president's decision, we must always remember the extraordinary courage and valour of the law enforcement heroes who stood in the breach and ensured that democracy survived on that dark day."
