President Donald Trump took swift action on his return to the White House, rescinding 78 Biden-era executive actions as part of over 200 executive directives issued on the first night of his second term.

According to White House officials, Trump signed 42 executive orders and completed 115 personnel actions during what they called a “historic first day.”

Trump began by repealing nearly 80 Biden-era executive orders and presidential memoranda during an inauguration celebration at Washington’s Capital One Arena. Following this, he:

• Issued a Regulatory Freeze: Preventing the issuance of any new federal regulations pending a comprehensive review.
• Imposed a Federal Hiring Freeze: Halting new government hires across all agencies.
• Ordered Federal Workers Back In-Person: Mandating a return to in-office work for all federal employees.
• Addressed Cost-of-Living Concerns: Directed departments and agencies to prioritize measures to tackle rising living expenses.

In a symbolic move, Trump signed a letter to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, reiterating his previous criticisms of the treaty.

Trump signed several key executive orders, including:

• Restoring “Free Speech” for Federal Employees: Aimed at preventing what he described as federal censorship.
• Reviewing Law Enforcement and Intelligence Practices: Directing the incoming attorney general and agency heads to review actions by law enforcement and intelligence agencies during Joe Biden’s presidency. While the order did not explicitly mandate investigations, it signaled Trump’s intent to “investigate the investigators.”

At the White House, Trump issued a broad pardon for individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. This included:

• Commuting Sentences: For 14 individuals already charged or convicted.
• Offering Blanket Pardons: For approximately 1,500 people convicted of offenses related to the Capitol riot.

The pardons, including those for individuals who attacked law enforcement, exceeded the expectations of many of Trump’s allies.

These actions on Trump’s first night reflect his priorities for his second term, signaling a return to many of his first-term policies and a focus on undoing key elements of Joe Biden’s presidency.