The changes Donald Trump has already made since he was sworn in as President
As world waits for what promises to be a 'manic Monday', President Trump has already begun to ring the changes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.President Donald Trump promised a lot would happen on “day one” during his election campaign – although he later clarified he meant on his first Monday in office, rather than today.
Apparently keen to get down to business, the billionaire tycoon went to the Oval Office immediately after yesterday’s swearing-in ceremony but before the inauguration ball.
The first order he signed related to Obamacare – which he has pledged to repeal.
The President signed an order to federal departments to “minimise the economic impact” of the Affordable Care Act, which grants health insurance to all Americans.
He then signed a stack of executive orders relating to his Cabinet appointments and other procedural matters.
One was a law to allow former Marine James Mattis to take the office of Defence Secretary, waiving the requirement that the appointee be a civilian for the past seven years.
President Trump made further nominations for his Cabinet, including Scott Pruitt for head of the Environmental Protection Agency and John Kelly for the Department of Homeland Security.
Mr Trump also signed a proclamation creating a National Day of Patriotism, although it has not been announced on what day this will fall.
The new President returned a bust of Winston Churchill to the Oval Office apparently to acknowledge the famous “special relationship” between the UK and the US.
The bust of the wartime leader could be seen as the new President signed his first orders having reportedly been kept at The British Embassy during the Obama years, when it was replaced by one of civil rights leader Martin Luther King.
Shortly after President Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States, all foreign ambassadors were fired and with no concrete replacement ambassadors lined up.
While he was President-elect, Mr Trump insisted that every ambassador appointed by former President Barack Obama would have to leave their office by midday on 20 January with no grace period.
It is common policy that political appointed ambassadors resign at the beginning of a new administration – but unusual to have no replacements confirmed at this stage.
The official White House website has been given a make-over and President Trump’s agenda has replaced that of Barack Obama.
The new administration lists just six issues on the website - energy, foreign policy, jobs and growth, military, law enforcement and trade deals.
Critics have pointed to the fact there is no longer any mention of civil rights, LGBT rights, healthcare or climate change.
The previous references to climate change have been replaced by a new energy plan that makes no mention of global warming and commits only to helping Americans reduce the cost of their energy.
As well as moving into the White House with the new first family, President Trump took ownership of the official @POTUS (President of the United States) Twitter handle from Barack Obama.
Yesterday, tweets began appearing on the official @POTUS account, although these will be monitored by official advisers.
But this morning, the prolific tweeter sent his customary early morning tweet to his 21.1 million followers from his personal Twitter account, @realDonaldTrump, indicating that he will use both accounts simultaneously.
“A fantastic day and evening in Washing ton DC. Thanks to @FoxNews and so many other news outlets for the GREAT reviews of the speech!” he said on Twitter.
But the US Interior Department has reportedly been ordered to cease use of its official Twitter accounts after the National Park Service shared two tweets implicitly critical of President Trump during his inauguration.
An email sent to Park Service employees, obtained by Gizmodo, stated that all Department of the Interior bureaus must “immediately cease use of Government Twitter accounts until further notice”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments