The first act of a revolution is to sign decrees.
Biden's "First Act As President" Immediately After Being Inaugurated
Joe Biden, newly sworn in as the 46th President of the United States, has moved quickly to erase Donald Trump’s legacy by signing a series of executive orders reversing his predecessor's policies on immigration, climate change and COVID-19.
It comes after Mr Biden used his inaugural address to call for unity and an “end to this uncivil war”, pledging that his “whole soul” was in bringing the country together.
“Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause, a cause of democracy,” Mr Biden said after taking the oath of office. “The people, the will of the people, has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded.”
The outgoing President left the White House for the last time three hours before Mr Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday.
Mr Trump said it had been “the honour of a lifetime” and mouthed “thank you” to the press before boarding Marine One with wife Melania.
He landed at Joint Base Andrews, where Mr Trump was greeted by a gun salute and a group of supporters at an unprecedented farewell event. He thanked his key aides and praised his hard-working family, as well as wishing good luck to the incoming administration.
But there was a notable absence. Outgoing Vice President Mike Pence skipped the event and instead attended Mr Biden’s inauguration.
Security around the inauguration event has been heightened following the attack on the US Capitol earlier this month that left five people dead.
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Live Updates
Antifa rioting in Portland
Black-clad far left-rioters are smashing up a Democratic Party of Oregon Headquarters in Portland.
Local reporters say about 200 people are marching through the city.
Strong language warning for the video.
Brutal response to Trump's party
Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci sent a blunt message to Donald Trump after receiving an invite to his farewell party at Joint Base Andrews.
Mr Scaramucci told the Today show he responded to the RSVP with: "Look, my fingernails are getting ripped out with pliers, sorry, I can't make it."
Trump sneaky move before leaving
In the days before he left office, President Donald Trump reportedly ordered that his family get the best security available in the world for the next six months, at no cost.
The Washington Post spoke to three people briefed on the plan, who said he instructed the US Secret Service to extend the protection his four adult children and two of their spouses, who were not automatically entitled to receive it.
Only Mr Trump, his wife and their 14-year-old son who are entitled protection after they leave office. The couple will receive it for their lifetimes, and Barron is entitled to protection until he turns 16.
The Post reports Mr Trump has asked for an extension on the protection of three of his key officials.
Press secretary promises to bring 'truth' back
Ms Psaki said she is focused on bringing "truth and transparency back to the briefing room".
She said that was a directive from Joe Biden.
"He asked me to ensure we're communicating about the policies across the Biden-Harris administration and the work his team is doing every day on behalf of all American people," Ms Psaki said.
"There will be times when we see things differently in this room. I mean, among all of us. That's okay. That's part of our democracy. And rebuilding trust with the American people will be central to our focus in the press office and in the White House. Every single day."
'President O..Biden': Press sec's slip
The new White House press secretary Jen Psaki appeared to almost referred to Joe Biden as President Obama at the beginning of her address, before correcting herself.
She worked for the Obama administration four years ago in the former president' communications office.
Biden's first press briefing underway
White House press secretary Jen Psaki is holding the Biden administration's first press briefing.
You can watch here.
Biden's stern warning to staff
Joe Biden is now virtually swearing in his staff — with a warning.
"If you're ever working with me and I hear you treat another colleague with disrespect, talk down to someone, I promise you I will fire you on the spot," he says.
"On the spot! No if, ands or buts. Everybody, everybody is entitled to be treated with decency and dignity."
Executive orders to erase Trump
The 17 executive orders and actions being signed by Joe Biden in his first hours as President are largely aimed at reversing the accomplishments of Donald Trump.
They include an "immediate termination" of funding for the border wall, and reversing a Trump executive order directing aggressive immigration enforcement.
Mr Biden will also reverse the ban on entry from a number of mostly Muslim countries that had been identified as security risks including Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Yemen and Iran.
And the Biden administration will also re-engage with the World Health Organisation, after Mr Trump's decision to withdraw last year amid accusations the body was subservient to China in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Biden has also signed an order mandating the use of masks in all federal buildings, on all federal land and by federal employees and contractors for 100 days.
Democrats take control of Senate
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris has presided over the Senate for the first time, swearing in three new Senators as Democrats officially take control.
Trump left 'very generous letter'
Joe Biden has described the note left to him by Donald Trump as "very generous".
"The President wrote a very generous letter," Mr Biden told reporters.
"Because it was private I will not talk about it until I talk to him."
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