WASHINGTON (AP) — The President donald trump Tuesday was his first full day in office, defending his next decision. grant pardon Proud Boys and Oath, extremist groups whose leaders were convicted of seditious conspiracy against the United States, directed at those convicted of assaulting police officers in the 2021 Capitol attack. He suggested that “Keepers” might find a place in American politics.
The president also continued to dismantle the administration’s push for diversity, equity, and inclusion, known as DEI. White House releases memo take paid vacation All federal employees working on these efforts will soon be laid off. DEI training has also been cancelled.
President Trump’s actions were the latest step in his efforts to overhaul Washington and erase the accomplishments of President Joe Biden’s administration.
A priority for Mr. Trump was supporting supporters who: besieged the parliament building He issued the pardon on January 6, 2021, his first official act since returning to the White House following his inauguration on Monday.
Among the approximately 1,500 people President Trump pardoned were more than 200 people who had pleaded guilty to assaulting police. At least 140 police officers were injured, many assaulted, bloodied and crushed by the crowd, during the riot in which Mr. Trump’s supporters tried to overturn Mr. Biden’s election victory.
Before the Capitol attack, the Proud Boys were best known for their street battles with anti-fascist activists, but President Trump infamously instructed the group to: “Please stand back and wait.” In the first debate of 2020 with then-presidential candidates. biden.
former top leader of the group, Enrique Tarrioand three of his aides were convicted of inciting conspiracy to commit a violent conspiracy to prevent the peaceful transfer of presidential power from Trump to Biden after the 2020 election. Tarrio served 22 years imprisonmentIt was the longest-running case of the Capitol riot until President Trump granted a pardon on Monday. Some members of the group marched in Washington on Monday after Trump was sworn in again.
When asked by a reporter about the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers and whether they have a place in politics, President Trump responded: They were granted amnesty. I thought their writing was stupid and excessive. ”
Speaking to reporters at the White House, President Trump emphasized investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure and declared, “We’re back.”
“I think we’re trying to do something that will shock people,” he said.
Asked about his decision to release from prison people who were caught on camera violently attacking Capitol Police officers, Trump said, “I’m more committed to police than any president who’s ever held this office.” I’m a friend,” he declared.
The president said Tuesday that he thought the sentences handed down for their actions that day were “ridiculous and excessive,” adding, “These are people who truly love our country, so we thought a pardon was appropriate.” .
Two major law enforcement organizations, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Fraternal Order of Police, issued a joint statement saying they were “extremely disappointed” in the pardons and commutations and believed those convicted should serve their full sentences. He said that
The president was also asked about his personal net worth, which he gained by launching a new cryptocurrency token the day before he was sworn into office, and whether he will continue to sell products for his own benefit while in office.
“I don’t know much about it other than that I launched it,” he said. “I heard it was very successful. I haven’t checked. Where are you today?”
President Trump began his first full day as president by displaying one of his favorite expressions of power: firing.
The new president posted on his social media network Truth early Tuesday that he would fire more than 1,000 presidential appointees who “do not align with our vision,” including some celebrities.
President Trump fired chef and humanitarian Jose Andres from the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, retired Gen. Mark Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Board, and former State Department official Brian Hook. and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. From the President’s Export Council.
“You’re fired!” Trump said in his post, a catchphrase from his reality show “The Apprentice.”
AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reported that President Trump heard the plea at a church service that concluded four days of inauguration-related events.
Andres and Bottoms disputed Trump’s claims that they were fired, saying in social media posts that they had already submitted their resignations.
Mr. Biden also fired a number of Mr. Trump’s appointees from the board that oversees the Naval Academy, including former press secretary Sean Spicer, on his first day in office.
Three major business leaders – SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi SonAccording to the White House, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison announced Tuesday afternoon that they and Trump will form a new company called Stargate that will build AI infrastructure over the next four years. announced that it would invest up to $500 billion. .
The original plans for Stargate, which is under construction in Texas, date back to when Biden was president. Technology news outlet The Information reported on the project in March 2024.
President Trump also attended the National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday morning. This was a customary visit by a new president and concluded a four-day period of inauguration-related events.
One of the speakers at the interfaith service, the Right Reverend Marian Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Washington, used his sermon to send a message to President Trump, appealing for compassion for LGBTQ+ people and undocumented immigrant workers. .
“You felt the loving hand of God’s providence. In the name of our God, have mercy on the people of our country who are now frightened,” said the former president, who has previously criticized Trump. Budde said.
Later, when asked by a reporter what he thought about the service, President Trump said: I didn’t think it was good service. They could do better. ”
Later that day, the president met with House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and other Republicans. This is the first time for the Republican leadership team, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Senate Republican Leader John Barrasso, and the new president, to develop priorities for leveraging the power of the Republican Party in Washington. It was a formal roundtable discussion.
A person familiar with the private meeting said it was more of a date than a wedding.
President Trump has floated a number of ideas for future priorities, including tax cuts, disaster relief, regulatory reform, and a March deadline for government funding, but there is no clear priority among the various strategies and he is simply trying to get the job done. All I had to do was get it done. Policy aides Stephen Miller and James Braid also joined the talks.
Republican leaders were presented with chocolate chip cookies and commemorative coins.
After the meeting, Senate Republicans raised the threat of recess appointments to form Trump’s Cabinet. Thune asked for quick confirmation, but Trump called on Republicans to be prepared to adjourn the Senate so he could appoint his nominees to Cabinet posts without Senate confirmation.
President Trump on Tuesday thought Republicans would have leverage with Democrats in budget negotiations because Los Angeles’ wildfires “are going to require a lot of money.” And generally speaking, I think you’ll find that a lot of Democrats want help. ”
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Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro, Will Weissert, Darlene Superville, Josh Bork and Tiffany Stanley in Washington, Jill Colvin in New York and Kate Brumback in Atlanta contributed to this report.
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This article has been updated to correct President Trump’s statements regarding church services.
