On his first day back in office, Donald Trump signed a significant number of executive actions, including 42 executive orders, memoranda, and proclamations, and took 115 personnel actions.
He also engaged in over 200 executive actions, marking a historic level of activity for an inaugural day.
Key actions included rescinding 78 Biden-era executive orders, withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, and ending federal remote work arrangements.
Trump also held a 60-minute press Q&A and delivered three historic speeches to outline his immediate priorities. And he did it all while attending three inaugural balls and engaging with countless supporters.
His predecessor was barely seen on any given day for more than 20 minutes and frequently called a “lid” by mid-afternoon.
Nevertheless, President Trump took some very important actions. Here are some of top actions on his first day in office.
🚨BY THE NUMBERS: President Trump’s HISTORIC first day:
-42 Executive Orders/Memoranda/Proclamations
-115 personnel actions
-More than 200 executive actions
-60 minutes of press Q&A
-3 historic speeches… with more to come at tonight’s balls!— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) January 21, 2025
Trump’s Major Executive Orders
Pardons The J6 ‘Hostages’
One of the most significant executive orders issued by President Trump involved mass pardons for approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol protest. The move fulfilled a long-standing promise to his supporters.
The pardons included commuting the sentences of 14 high-profile individuals, such as Proud Boys and Oath Keepers leaders, directing their immediate release from prison.
“So, this is a big one. We hope they come out [of prison] tonight, frankly,” he said, signing the order. “They’re expecting it.”
Word trickled out on social media that those releases were, in fact, happening already.
FULL PARDONS FOR 1,500 J6 DEFENDANTS
6 commutations pic.twitter.com/mqMuoMXLcj
— Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 (@MarinaMedvin) January 21, 2025
Revokes Security Clearance For Intel Officials Who Lied About Hunter Biden Laptop
Trump revoked the security clearances of 51 former intelligence officials who had signed a letter suggesting that Hunter Biden’s laptop was part of a Russian disinformation campaign before the 2020 election.
This act was part of a broader executive order aimed at addressing misinformation spread by these officials.
Additionally, Trump authorized further investigations into their actions, signaling a commitment to accountability for misleading the public.
Trump Rips Security Clearances From the 51 Spies Who Lied, Then He Hit Them With Another Bombshellhttps://t.co/EWvUqqNQw8
— RedState (@RedState) January 21, 2025
Redefines ‘Birthright Citizenship’
President Trump signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship for children born to parents without legal immigration status in the U.S.
The order reinterprets the 14th Amendment’s jurisdiction clause, stating that children of illegal immigrants would not automatically become U.S. citizens.
This decision is anticipated to face immediate legal challenges, with experts questioning its constitutional validity. Regardless, Trump’s administration signaled readiness for a legal fight, asserting that there are good grounds for the policy change.
The move is part of a broader set of immigration-related executive actions to tighten border control and redefine U.S. citizenship policies. Which we see more of below …
Donald Trump just signed an executive order ending birthright citizenship for illegal immigrants.
This is one of the most important issues he can pick a fight on. It will be challenged immediately, and we need to stand with him every step of the way in this fight. pic.twitter.com/cnAafJcgVC
— Christian Heiens 🏛 (@ChristianHeiens) January 21, 2025
RELATED: Trump Considering Executive Order To End Birthright Citizenship
Multiple Orders To Secure The Border
Trump took immediate action to address illegal immigration at the southern border by signing several executive orders.
He declared a national emergency at the border, allowing for the use of military assets to assist in securing it. Trump also designated international criminal cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, which broadens the legal tools available to combat their operations.
Another significant order ended “catch and release” policies, focusing instead on resuming border wall construction and detaining migrants. The executive actions also aimed at protecting states from the impacts of illegal immigration, with a specific focus on southern border states like Texas.
The orders included deploying U.S. military personnel to ensure border security and repel foreign invasions. A proclamation was made to halt the illegal influx, with an emphasis on the sovereignty of the United States being under attack.
🚨 President Trump signs an Executive Order designating the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations pic.twitter.com/TZhPywQIbq
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 21, 2025
Addressing The TikTok Problem
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to temporarily halt the ban on TikTok, which had gone dark in the U.S. due to a Supreme Court ruling.
The order provides a 75-day pause on the enforcement of the ban, aiming to negotiate a solution that addresses national security concerns while keeping the platform operational.
Trump’s decision comes after discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with hopes to balance trade, security, and the app’s future.
🚨 President Trump signs an Executive Order to keep TikTok alive so that a deal can be reached pic.twitter.com/oPqrvSjaes
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 21, 2025
Trump, on his very first day in office, kept several campaign promises by signing executive orders on immigration, security clearances, and border control, demonstrating his commitment to immediate action on his key issues.
He said what he was going to do. He’s doing it.
Moving forward, we can expect the President to continue this trend with further policy implementation, focusing on deregulation, economic revitalization, and reinforcing his “America First” agenda.