Donald Trump inauguration live updates: President pardons roughly 1500 January 6 rioters for ‘reconciliation’
President Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States of America.
On Monday local time, the Republican took the oath of office at the Capitol Rotunda, returning for his second term as president.
Mr Trump has spent the remainder of his first hours back in office signing a stack of executive orders, including repealing many made by predecessor Joe Biden.
Scroll down for the latest updates as Donald Trump returns to the White House.
Key Events
Trump pardons about 1500 people who stormed Capitol
Donald Trump has officially pardoned roughly 1500 of his supporters who stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
The executive order grants a “full complete and unconditional pardon” to all individuals, bar 14, convicted for “offences related to events that occurred at or near” the Capitol.
“This proclamation ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation,” the order says.
Fourteen people have had their sentences over the deadly riot commuted to time served, meaning they’ll be eligible for immediate release if they are in prison.
Trump’s flurry of executive orders revealed
President Donald Trump says he will sign an order so there is “no tax on tips” before revealing more actions he is taking on Monday.
“I’m going to sign a presidential memorandum directing every member of my Cabinet to marshal every power at their disposal to defeat inflation and rapidly bring down the cost of daily life,” Mr Trump said.
The president said America will “drill baby drill”, avoiding the use of “ugly” windmills that “kill birds”.
Donald Trump signs executive orders at inauguration event
“We’re going to sign some orders now,” Mr Trump said.
“That’s mainly what I want to do. So we’re going to sign executive orders.
“First. I’ll revoke nearly 80 destructive and radical executive actions made by the Biden administration.”
Mr Trump said the change would come into effect in around five minutes.
The orders will include: the border policy, an immediate regulation freeze to stop “Biden bureaucrats”, a temporary hiring freeze for government, and federal workers being returned to the office.
More orders to come.
Trump thanks Witkoff for securing hostage release
Donald Trump has thanked Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff for securing the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Speaking as he was joined by the families of hostages, Mr Trump said Mr Witkoff is a “great negotiator”.
“He’s a wonderful guy. People love him. He’s got a tremendous power of persuasion.
“That’s what we need. We don’t need stiffs.”
January 6 Capitol rioters to be pardoned
President Donald Trump has revealed that he will pardon those convicted in the January 6 Capitol riots.
“Tonight, I’m going to be signing on the J6 hostages’ pardons to get them out,” he said at the inauguration parade,.
“And as soon as I leave, I’m going to the Oval Office, and we’ll be signing pardons for a lot of people. A lot of people.”
Trump welcomes families of Israeli hostages
President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has introduced the president at his inauguration parade.
In a touching moment before the President walked up to the stage, Mr Witkoff revealed that families of Israeli hostages were special guests of the event.
The families are set to meet with the President again later today.
Executive orders sit waiting as Trump prepares to speak
A pile of executive orders have been placed on a desk on the stage at Capital One Arena.
President Donald Trump is expected to sign the orders live in front of the audience as part of the event.
Parade portion over as Trump's team take to stage
A lengthy parade of brass bands and cheerleaders has wrapped up, with President Donald Trump’s team now taking to the stage before another speech by Mr Trump.
Zuckerberg caught ‘checking out’ Amazon billionaire’s fiancee
Mark Zuckerberg has been caught in an awkward moment with the fiancee of Jeff Bezos with a split-second camera shot appearing to show him looking down her top.
Zuckerberg was one of a handful of billionaires to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, local time, and was seated next to Lauren Sanchez.
Sanchez, a well-known TV journalist, had an affair with Amazon founder and billionaire Bezos in 2018 while they were both married. The affair led to the end of both their marriages.
Melania's subtle message with fashionable return
With her eyes almost entirely obscured by the rim of her wool boater-style hat, Melania Trump stood behind President-elect Donald Trump on stage at the United States Capitol Rotunda as he pledged the oath of office.
Designed by New York-based milliner Eric Javits, Mrs Trump’s hat was an austere flourish to a neat, military-style ensemble. Her navy silk wool double-breasted coat was nipped at the waist and worn with bare legs and stiletto heels.
Musk’s inauguration ‘salute’ sparks concern
As billionaire Elon Musk thanked the Republican crowd inside the Capital One Arena for President Donald Trump’s inauguration parade, he made a gesture that has sparked concern online.
The arm movement, made on stage by Mr Musk, has been likened to a nazi salute.
