He also took sweeping executive actions to limit immigration, withdraw from climate agreements, and unwind diversity and environmental initiatives.
Click on the audio player above for a report by Marcin Matuszewski, presenting some of the Polish experts' and politicians' reactions to the first moves made by the 47th US president.
Pardons spark outrage
Trump’s decision to clear the records of those involved in the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol is likely to anger law enforcement and lawmakers. Some 140 police officers were assaulted during that attack, with four deaths reported. Trump ordered 14 leaders of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys to be released early from prison, leaving their convictions intact but freeing them from serving additional time.
Immigration crackdown
A signature issue since he first entered politics, Trump wasted no time targeting illegal immigration:
- Border emergency declared: An executive order deems the U.S.-Mexico border a national crisis, allowing federal funding for new measures and deploying troops.
- Birthright citizenship suspended: Trump aims to end automatic citizenship for those born on U.S. soil to non-legal residents, a policy change certain to ignite prolonged legal battles.
- Refugee programs halted: Flight plans for nearly 1,660 Afghan refugees, including family members of U.S. service personnel, were canceled under a freeze on admissions.
Climate exit, regulatory rollbacks
Within hours, Trump retracted the United States from the Paris climate accord—yet again—calling Biden-era environmental policies “cancer” and restarting the federal death penalty. He also revoked guidelines on electric vehicles and artificial intelligence, froze federal hiring, and signed orders to create a “Department of Government Efficiency” under Elon Musk, intended to slash government spending.
Cabinet shake-up, tech allies
More than a dozen senior diplomats were asked to resign, and Trump’s social media posts hinted at the removal of over 1,000 former Biden staff. High-profile tech executives—Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg—sat near Trump’s family and cabinet nominees, signaling they seek favorable ties with the new administration. Trump said the U.S. might impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1, though no immediate trade action was taken Monday—stimulating global markets while U.S. financial exchanges were closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Return to power
Trump, 78, recited his oath inside the Capitol at 12:01 p.m. ET (1701 GMT), having survived two assassination attempts, a felony conviction, and a prosecution over his 2020 election loss. Declaring himself “saved by God,” he becomes the first president in more than a century to regain the White House after defeat—and the first convicted felon to take office.
Biden’s final moves
Outgoing President Joe Biden offered last-minute pardons to several individuals Trump had threatened, including ex-Joint Chiefs of Staff chair Mark Milley. Biden also granted clemency to five of his own relatives to preempt possible retaliation. Trump, in his half-hour inaugural address, struck a partisan tone, blasting Biden’s policies and reiterating his own longstanding grievances.
“We have a government that invests unlimited funding to defend foreign borders but refuses to defend American borders,” Trump said, echoing his 2017 “America First” agenda. Despite the day’s ceremony, the deep political divides show little sign of healing as Trump embarks on a second term—shifting the United States sharply toward his hardline positions.
(jh/mm)
Source: Reuters, PAP, Polskie Radio 24