On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump began his second term with bold actions, including major personnel changes and the launch of a significant infrastructure initiative. President Donald Trump began his first full day back in the White House by meeting with congressional leaders, unveiling a major investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure, and wielding his signature expression of power: firing officials.
Early Tuesday, Trump announced on his Truth social media platform the dismissal of over 1,000 presidential appointees who "are not aligned with our vision," including several prominent figures. Among those removed were chef and humanitarian José Andrés from the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, retired Gen. Mark Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, former State Department official Brian Hook from the Wilson Center's board, and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms from the President’s Export Council.
Trump punctuated his announcement with his famous "YOU’RE FIRED!" catchphrase from his reality TV show, The Apprentice.
In a parallel to his predecessor, former President Joe Biden had also dismissed many Trump appointees early in his term, such as former press secretary Sean Spicer from the board overseeing the U.S. Naval Academy.
Continuing his series of inaugural announcements, Trump introduced a new initiative to boost AI infrastructure. Joined by major business leaders—SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Oracle Corp. Chairman Larry Ellison—Trump revealed plans for a new company, Stargate. This venture aims to invest up to $500 billion over the next four years, with initial projects launching in Texas.
Trump's day began with a national prayer service at Washington National Cathedral, a traditional event for new presidents. The Right Rev. Mariann Budde, Episcopal bishop of Washington, addressed Trump directly in her sermon, advocating compassion for LGBTQ+ individuals and undocumented migrants. When asked about the service afterward, Trump remarked, "Not too exciting, was it? I didn't think it was a good service. They could do much better."
Later, Trump was scheduled to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and other GOP leaders to discuss legislative priorities. This marked the first formal meeting with the Republican leadership, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Senate GOP Whip John Barrasso, as they strategize on leveraging their power in Washington. Despite a bold 100-day agenda, the party faces internal disagreements on key issues, including tax cuts and immigration policies.
On his first day back in office, Trump swiftly signed a series of executive orders, signaling a sharp departure from the previous administration. Actions included pardoning individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol attack, withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accords and the World Health Organization, declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, and challenging birthright citizenship. He also issued a 75-day pause on the TikTok ban to allow its Chinese parent company more time to secure an approved buyer.
Trump's First Full Day
On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump began his second term with bold actions, including major personnel changes and the launch of a significant infrastructure initiative. He announced the dismissal of over 1,000 presidential appointees from the previous administration, citing the need for a team aligned with his vision. Among those removed were chef and humanitarian José Andrés from the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, retired Gen. Mark Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, former State Department official Brian Hook from the Wilson Center's board, and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms from the President’s Export Council.
In a landmark policy move, President Trump introduced a partnership to invest up to $500 billion in artificial intelligence infrastructure over the next four years. The initiative, called Stargate, will involve collaboration with business leaders such as SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Oracle Corp. Chairman Larry Ellison. The project will start in Texas, aiming to enhance the nation's AI capabilities.
Additionally, President Trump participated in a national prayer service at Washington National Cathedral, a traditional event for new presidents, marking the end of his inauguration-related activities. Later, he convened with congressional leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, to discuss the legislative agenda for the new administration.
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