USA's new President Donald Trump signed an executive order to cancel 78 decisions made by his predecessor Joe Biden.
He also signed a number of other documents, such as an order for all federal agencies to address the cost of living crisis, a requirement for all officials to stop working remotely, a temporary ban on agencies issuing new regulations.
Donald Trump signed a decree about the USA's withdrawal from tow international associations. The US is exiting:
The Trump administration believes that the WHO had wrong attitude to the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises. In addition, the White House believes that the WHO incapable of demonstrating independence from political influence. The US pays the organization too much money compared to other countries, but the WHO continues to unfairly demand payments that are burdensome for Washington, Trump noted.
Trump also signed a package of decrees to tighten immigration measures. In particular, Trump declared a state of emergency (ES) on the southern border of the United States. This will entail the deployment of additional resources of the Pentagon and the country's Armed Forces to complete the construction of the border wall.
The head of state promised that Americans would be very pleased, as they would see changes in the country for the better.
During the inauguration ceremony, Trump did not put his hand on the Bible when he took the oath. Pictures from the ceremony show First Lady Melania Trump standing next to the elected head of the White House. She was holding two Bibles in her hands. One of them was given to Trump by his mother when he was a child. The other one was the Lincoln Bible, which was used at the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln in 1861. However, Donald Trump ignored them both. His right hand was raised, while his left remained lowered.
The requirement to put one's hand on the Holy Scripture is not mandatory. Article 6 of the US Constitution notes that "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”
Billionaire Elon Musk greeted the new US president in an unusual way. The head of SpaceX enthusiastically talked about Trump's policy of landing American astronauts on Mars. At one point, he pressed his right hand to his chest, and then raised it up. This gesture turned out to be similar to the Roman salute used by Nazis of the Third Reich. It was later revealed that Musk's hand movement could be the Bellamy salute, a gesture used until 1942 during the Pledge of Allegiance to the US flag. Musk pressed his hand against his heart twice before raising it — at first towards the crowd, and then he turned away and saluted the flag. However, the Bellamy salute must be accompanied by the oath of allegiance to the US flag, which Musk did not do.
It also became known that Trump returned the red button to the Oval Office. During his last term as head of state, the button was already installed in the Oval Office. By pressing it, the president could call a waiter with a glass of his favorite drink — Diet Coke. Joe Biden ordered the device to be dismantled in 2021.
After the inauguration, Trump said that he had plans to meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Trump did not specify where and when exactly the meeting might take place.
He also answered a question about maintaining sanctions against Moscow. He told reporters at the White House that he prefers tariffs as a measure of influence.
"I think the word 'tariffs' is better because it preserves the strength of the dollar. I think tariffs are more effective," Donald Trump said.