January 21, 2025, New Delhi: President Donald Trump on his first day back in the Oval Office, after his inaugural speech at Capitol Hills, wasted no time in making a series of sweeping decisions that are set to reshape the political landscape.
In a move that has already sparked widespread controversy, Trump issued nearly 1,600 pardons for individuals convicted or arrested in connection with the 6 January 2021 Capitol riots. Among those set to be released within hours is Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the far-right Proud Boys, with celebrations reportedly already planned in Miami.
The decision to pardon the rioters has been met with criticism. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described it as an “outrageous insult” to the justice system. Initially, Trump’s Vice President, JD Vance, had suggested that clemency might not extend to those involved in the most violent acts on that day. However, the president opted for a maximalist approach, granting pardons to almost all involved, including individuals convicted of assaulting police officers and vandalising Congressional offices.
The only exceptions to the mass clemency are 14 key ringleaders from the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, who received the longest sentences. Media reports suggested quoting White House that these individuals will have their sentences commuted but will not receive full pardons, meaning their criminal records will remain intact, though they will be freed.
Changing Immigration Policy
In a parallel move, Trump’s administration initiated major changes to the immigration court system. According to reports, the acting head of the US immigration court system and three other top officials were removed from their posts shortly after Trump assumed office. The president and his allies have long been critical of the court system, arguing that it grants asylum too liberally and contributes to backlogs that allow migrants to remain in the country for years before their cases are heard.
Trump reaffirmed his commitment to overhauling immigration policies by declaring a “national emergency” at the southern border. This means that follow up is going to be aggressive aggressive enforcement measures and stricter asylum criteria.
Withdrawal from the World Health Organization
Among the executive actions signed on his first day, Trump moved to initiate the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). He justified the move by citing what he perceives as the US’s disproportionate financial contributions to the organisation, though he hinted that the US could rejoin under more favourable terms in the future.
Other Key Executive Actions
Trump signed several other executive actions in addition to the above orders. These include:
Establishing the “Department of Government Efficiency”, an entity that does not currently exist within the official government framework.
Defending women from “gender ideology” and “restoring biological truth” within federal policies.
Preventing a ban on TikTok, a move that could temporarily halt efforts to restrict the popular social media platform.
Holding former government officials accountable for alleged election interference.
It is just a beginning to Trump’s return to the White House, signalling his intent to implement his campaign promises. While his supporters have praised the moves as a bold step toward restoring conservative values, critics argue that they undermine democratic institutions and international cooperation.
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Marco Rubio Confirmed as Secretary of State
January 21, 2025
New Delhi: The U.S. Senate has confirmed Marco Rubio as Secretary of State under President Donald Trump, marking the first high-level Cabinet official to be approved for the new administration. The confirmation, which took place on Monday just hours after Trump’s inauguration, passed with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 99 to 0.
Rubio’s appointment brings a new chapter in U.S. foreign policy, with expectations high for his leadership in addressing the country’s most pressing international challenges more so the continuing conflicts in Russia – Ukraine and West Asia.
Rubio, who has represented Florida in the Senate as a Republican since 2011, garnered strong support from both sides of the aisle. Several Senate Democrats praised Rubio’s qualifications for the role, with New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, describing him as “well-qualified to serve as secretary of state,” as reported by CNN.
Rubio was once a critic of Trump during the 2016 Republican presidential primary—going so far as to call Trump a “con artist”—Rubio has since evolved into a key ally of the president. Trump, who famously referred to Rubio as “Little Marco” during their heated primary battle, has embraced him as a vital member of his administration.
During his confirmation hearing, Rubio affirmed his strong support for NATO and emphasized the importance of U.S. commitments to the alliance. He highlighted a bipartisan law he co-sponsored, which stipulates that the U.S. cannot withdraw from NATO without Senate approval or congressional action.
On China, Rubio expressed a firm stance, labelling the Chinese Communist Party as a “potent and dangerous” adversary. He highlighted the multifaceted challenge China poses, describing it as a competitor in technological, economic, geopolitical, and industrial spheres. Rubio stressed that the U.S. must strengthen its domestic industrial base to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.
Speaking on Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, Rubio voiced scepticism about Ukraine’s ability to reclaim all its lost territories. He argued that the official U.S. stance should prioritise ending the conflict. “What Vladimir Putin has done is unacceptable, but this war has to end, and I think it should be the official policy of the United States that we want to see it end,” Rubio stated as reported by CNN.
