Big changes at the White House as Trump begins second term

Donald Trump's first day in office started with executive orders aimed at advancing his vision of America and undoing the legacy of his predecessor

US President Donald Trump after attending the National Day of Prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral. AFP

Major changes are under way at the White House as President Donald Trump takes office. Near the Oval Office, framed photos of his predecessor Joe Biden are gone, replaced with images including one of Mr Trump giving his signature gesture, a fist in the air.

Many of the offices that line the halls stand empty and the walls are bare, as the new administration takes shape.

Outside the White House grounds on Tuesday, workers were dismantling wooden structures that had taken weeks to build. The stage and seating – meant to be used during Mr Trump's inauguration parade – were never used. The day's events, which were supposed to include massive crowds of supporters lining the streets, were moved indoors almost at the last minute due to frigid temperatures gripping the nation's capital.

On his first full day as President, Mr Trump and Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by their families, attended a National Day of Prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral. Later, he was due to meet members of Congress.

But the quiet, family-focused morning belied a busy preceding night. In the hours after his inauguration, Mr Trump signed many executive orders aimed at advancing his vision for the country. And White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Mr Trump would also make a “major infrastructure announcement” on Tuesday.

Donald Trump sworn in as 47th President of the United States

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During his inauguration speech, he promised to usher in a “golden age” for the US. Some his first executive orders included pardoning about 1,500 of his supporters who rioted at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. He also declared a national emergency at the southern border, began an effort to end birthright citizenship, and withdrew from the Paris Climate Accords and the World Health Organisation. Mr Trump also signed an executive order keeping TikTok alive in the US for another 75 days.

“President Trump is using the power of the pen and the authority granted to him by Congress to secure our borders, restore American energy dominance, slash unnecessary government bureaucracy, cut regulations and reverse the disaster wrought by the Biden administration,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said. “We are witnessing the beginning hours of America’s golden age, and in the days ahead we can expect President Trump to revive our nation’s strength and values, drain the swamp and return us to prosperity.”

After midnight on Tuesday, Mr Trump announced his administration was working on identifying and removing more than a thousand appointees hired during the previous administration “who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again”.

“Let this serve as a notice of dismissal,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social, specifically calling out celebrity chef Jose Andres – founder of World Central Kitchen, which has worked in Gaza – and former top general Mark Milley, among others. “You're fired.”