Trump says he will pardon ‘a lot of people’, including January 6 defendants, in remarks at inaugural parade – live updates

1 week ago 6

Trump signs slew of executive orders targeting Biden policies

Donald Trump has now sat down at a desk onstage to sign a pile of executive orders that are intended to undo many Biden administration policies.

An aides is announcing what Trump is signing, then the president picks up the document and shows it to the cheering crowd. What he is signing:

“The first item that president Trump is signing is the rescission of 78 Biden-era executive actions, executive orders, presidential memoranda and others.”
“A regulatory freeze, as you announced in your speech, preventing bureaucrats from issuing any more regulations until we have full control of this the government and this administration.”
“A freeze on all federal hiring, accepting the military and a number of other excluded categories again, until full control of the government is achieved and we understand the objectives of government going forward.”
“A requirement that federal workers return to full-time in-person work immediately.”
“A directive to every department and agency in the federal government to address the cost of living crisis that has cost Americans so dearly.”
“The withdrawal from the Paris climate treaty,” along with a letter informing the United Nations of the decision.
“A directive to the federal government ordering the restoration of freedom of speech and preventing government censorship of free speech, going forward.”
“A directive to the federal government ending the weaponization of government against the political adversaries of the previous administration, as we’ve seen.”

“Could you imagine Biden doing this? I don’t think so,” Trump said at one point, as he held up a signed order.

Key events

Show key events only

Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature

His signature on a battery of executive orders, Donald Trump has departed Capital One arena in downtown Washington.

But his supporters are still there, dancing to – you guessed it – Village People’s YMCA.

Senate confirms Marco Rubio as secretary of state

The US Senate has unanimously confirmed Donald Trump’s nominee, former senator Marco Rubio, to serve as secretary of state.

The vote was 99-0. Rubio is Trump’s first cabinet secretary to win confirmation.

Trump signs slew of executive orders targeting Biden policies

Donald Trump has now sat down at a desk onstage to sign a pile of executive orders that are intended to undo many Biden administration policies.

An aides is announcing what Trump is signing, then the president picks up the document and shows it to the cheering crowd. What he is signing:

“The first item that president Trump is signing is the rescission of 78 Biden-era executive actions, executive orders, presidential memoranda and others.”
“A regulatory freeze, as you announced in your speech, preventing bureaucrats from issuing any more regulations until we have full control of this the government and this administration.”
“A freeze on all federal hiring, accepting the military and a number of other excluded categories again, until full control of the government is achieved and we understand the objectives of government going forward.”
“A requirement that federal workers return to full-time in-person work immediately.”
“A directive to every department and agency in the federal government to address the cost of living crisis that has cost Americans so dearly.”
“The withdrawal from the Paris climate treaty,” along with a letter informing the United Nations of the decision.
“A directive to the federal government ordering the restoration of freedom of speech and preventing government censorship of free speech, going forward.”
“A directive to the federal government ending the weaponization of government against the political adversaries of the previous administration, as we’ve seen.”

“Could you imagine Biden doing this? I don’t think so,” Trump said at one point, as he held up a signed order.

Executive order to target 'political prosecutions', Trump says

Donald Trump revealed more about the executive orders he will soon sign, saying they’ll deal with Joe Biden’s “political prosecutions”.

“To stop the weaponization of law enforcement that our government, I will also sign an order directing every federal agency to preserve all records pertaining to political prosecutions under the last administration of which there were many, and beginning the process of exposing any and all abuses of power, even though he’s pardoned many of these people,” Trump said.

Fact check: Trump's claims on immigrants causing crime

The claim: “All over the world they’re emptying their prisons into our country,” said Trump while introducing his executive orders, invoking the idea that unauthorized immigration to the US has driven crime in the country, a centerpiece of Trump’s 2024 campaign.

The facts: Numerous studies examining crime in the US have found no link between undocumented immigration and overall crime rates. In fact, a 2024 report by the National Institute of Justice found undocumented immigrants were arrested and charged with crimes at a lower rate than US-born citizens.

Trump to sign orders targeting IRS, Paris climate deal and regulations

Donald Trump is now going through the specifics of all the executive orders he will sign. Here’s what he has announced so far:

“An immediate regulation freeze, which will stop Biden bureaucrats from continuing to regulate.”
“A temporary hiring freeze, to ensure that we’re only hiring competent people who are faithful to the American public.”
A pause on the hiring of new IRS agents.
A requirement that federal workers return to the office.
Trump seemed to say he would order an end to tax on tips, though the president was a little unclear, and changes to the tax code are usually done by congressional action.
“A presidential memorandum directory 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, because your costs have gone through the roof in the last four years.”
Trump also vowed to withdraw “from the unfair, one-sided Paris climate accord rip-off”, adding: “The United States will not sabotage our own industries while China pollutes with impunity.”
“An executive order to immediately end federal government censorship of the American people.” It’s unclear what sort of censorship he is referring to.

Trump says orders will 'revoke nearly 80 destructive and radical' Biden policies

Donald Trump still has not crossed the stage to sign the stack of executive actions waiting for his autograph, but continues to tell the crowd at the Capital One arena that he will do so soon.

“We’re going to sign executive orders. First, I’ll revoke nearly 80 destructive and radical executive actions of the previous administration, one of the worst administrations in history,” he said.

Trump says: “I’m about to sign some very important executive orders of our new administration.”

He’s now introducing members of his family gathered on risers behind him. Earlier in the day, he gave a preview of the orders he will issue, in his inaugural address:

Trump says he'll pardon 'a lot of people', including January 6 defendants

Donald Trump opened his speech by saying he will publicly pardon January 6 defendants before the crowd gathered for his inaugural parade, then sign more pardons once he gets to the White House.

“So, now the work begins. We won. We won. But now the work begins, we have to bring them home,” Trump said.

“And you know, tonight, I’m going to be signing on the J6 hostages, pardons, to get them out. 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 begins delivering remarks at inauguration parade, with executive orders expected

Donald Trump is stepping up to the podium to deliver his third speech of the day, to an arena of supporters gathered for his indoor inauguration parade.

He will also soon sign a slew of executive orders.

Witkoff wrapped up his remarks by saying family members of people taken hostage on 7 October are in attendance.

They’ve now walked up to the podium and are speaking to Donald Trump and JD Vance.

The inaugural parade has wrapped up, and Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, is at the podium.

He’s recounted Trump’s Middle East policy, and highlighted the Gaza ceasefire deal agreed over the weekend that brought the release of hostages taken on 7 October.

Witkoff also signaled what may be a shift in the Trump administration’s approach to foreign aid:

We are done carrying the financial burden for nations that are unwilling to fund their own progress. The days of blank checks are over. Partnerships under president Trump’s leadership must be equitable, and contributions must reflect shared commitments to our goals.

Read Entire Article