Ticker on Trump's return to power Hillary can only laugh here +++ Hitler salute? Civil rights activists defend Musk

Valérie Glutz

21.1.2025

Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th US President. He has described his return to the White House as a "day of liberation" and promised that "the golden age of the USA begins now". It is an aggressive declaration of war for America and the rest of the world. The developments in the ticker.

21.01.2025, 10:36

21.01.2025, 12:27

The most important facts at a glance

Donald Trump has been President of the USA again since January 20, 2025.
It is already his second term in office: he was already in the White House once, from 2017 to 2021.
blue News provides regular updates on Donald Trump, his policies and the USA.
Trump has once again ordered the USA to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement.
By decree, Trump has set up the committee that is to cut US government spending and in which tech billionaire Elon Musk is to play a role - entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, on the other hand, has already withdrawn from working for the "Doge" ("Department of Government Efficiency") committee.
Trump wants to abolish the right to citizenship by birth in the USA.
On the day of his inauguration, Trump reaffirmed his interest in the island of Greenland, which belongs to Denmark.

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12.26 pm

The Trump speeches in comparison

Donald Trump has been sworn in as US President for the second time. In the video, blue News shows you the most important statements of his speech and compares them with his first speech from 2017.

10.36 am

China criticizes withdrawal from WHO and climate agreement

China has criticized the announced withdrawal of the USA from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement - and at the same time underlined its own role as a reliable partner for the world.

"China is concerned about the US announcement to withdraw from the Paris Agreement," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun in China's first public reaction to Trump's inauguration. Climate change is a common challenge that all of humanity must face, the spokesperson said. No country can avoid it or be left alone.

China would work with all parties to actively tackle the challenges of climate change. "The role of the World Health Organization should only be strengthened, not weakened," the spokesperson commented on Trump's plans to withdraw from the WHO. China would continue to support the organization in fulfilling its tasks.

On trade issues, China is prepared to strengthen dialog and communication. "We hope that the United States and China will work together to promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of economic and trade relations between China and the US," said the spokesperson.

Contrary to observers' expectations, Trump did not immediately impose new tariffs on China on his first day in office, but instead ordered an investigation into trade issues.

10.18 am

Zuckerberg's moment of derailment

The line-up of technology tycoons at Trump's inauguration is impressive: Meta-CEO Mark Zuckerberg is seated next to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sánchez. Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk round off the field.

Mark Zuckerberg does not seem to have much experience with such events. There is no other explanation for the 217 billion dollar entrepreneur letting himself go, even though cameras are filming everywhere. He only briefly catches a glimpse of Bezos' companion Lauren Sanchez. But the whole thing does not go undetected.

The moment pic.twitter.com/4OpQcUJr2R
— Trend Tracker (@itswpceo) January 20, 2025

Zuckerberg can only hope that the lady on his left didn't notice anything. That's where his wife Priscilla Chan is positioned.

10 o'clock

Hitler salute? Civil rights activists defend Musk

Following a controversial gesture by Elon Musk, the civil rights group Anti-Defamation League has come to the defense of the Tesla boss. It was not a Hitler salute, explained the organization, which fights anti-Semitism.

"It appears that Musk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm," it explained on Musk's X short message service. Musk thanked her on X with a laughing and a crying emoji.

9.42 am

Trump lifts sanctions against radical settlers

US President Donald Trump has lifted his country's sanctions against radical Israeli settlers in the West Bank. The administration of his predecessor Joe Biden had imposed these in order to take action against violent settlers in the occupied West Bank.

Since the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023, there had also been an increase in violence by settlers against Palestinians. The army is repeatedly accused of not doing enough to combat such attacks.

The White House announced that an executive order issued by the Biden administration on February 1, 2024 "to impose certain sanctions on individuals who undermine peace, security and stability in the West Bank" had been lifted. The far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed Trump's decision.

"These sanctions were a serious and blatant foreign interference in Israel's internal affairs and an unjustified violation of democratic principles and the mutual respect that should guide relations between friendly nations," the pro-settler politician wrote on Platform X.

9:24 a.m.

Trump fires employees via social media

"You are fired" - this slogan was a trademark when Donald Trump was still on the reality show "The Apprentice". And now the New Yorker is using the slogan "You're fired" again.

But not for a TV show: The US president is using these words on the social media channels Truth Social and X to dismiss people who work for the state.

Former general and Trump critic Mark Milley is fired from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council - and Jose Andres, Brian Hook and Keisha Lance Bottoms are also informed in this way that their services are no longer wanted.

9:12 a.m.

Hillary Clinton can only laugh here

"Bill and Hillary Clinton seem to be mocking Trump in the middle of his inauguration speech," writes the British Daily Mail. Yet the ex-president did nothing at all. He only opens his mouth once in disbelief and possibly lets out a guttural sound or an "Oh my god".

It was the darkest of times, it was the dumbest of times.pic.twitter.com/vI5XgfYiCZ
— Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) January 20, 2025

His wife, who lost to Trump in the 2016 presidential race, is completely different: Hillary Clinton has to laugh heartily. It is the moment in Trump's speech when the 78-year-old announces that the Gulf of Mexico should henceforth be called the Gulf of America.

This is prefgg funny tbf, Hillary Clinton laughing when President Trump talks about changing the name of the Gulg and Mexico to the Gulf of Ameruca!! Bill tells her off, too!! 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/yI8swJGNmi
— LeanneSpurs 🇬🇧 (@LeanneSpurs) January 21, 2025

8.47 am

Trump will classify drug cartels as terrorist groups

US President Donald Trump wants drug cartels in Latin America to be classified as foreign terrorist organizations. After his inauguration, he signed a decree to this effect, which critics believe could pave the way for possible US military operations against criminal gangs.

Although his order did not list cartels by name, members of the government were instructed to make recommendations for the classification of certain groups as terrorist organizations within 14 days.

Trump's decree is likely to target Mexican drug cartels, as well as gangs such as the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and the criminal organization Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13, which has its roots in El Salvador.

Feared for their violent tendencies: members of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) in a prison in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador.
Archive image: KEYSTONE

"The cartels are engaged in a campaign of violence and terror throughout the Western Hemisphere that has not only destabilized countries of significant importance to our national interests, but has flooded the United States with deadly drugs, violent criminals, and insidious gangs," Trump's order read.

It was initially unclear what impact the decree would have on the fight against cartels. Many observers expressed concern that their classification as terrorist groups could be used as justification for possible military operations against the gangs. Trump himself has threatened military intervention in Mexico to combat cartels in the country. This has been vehemently rejected by Mexico's head of state Claudia Sheinbaum

8.33 am

Because of Birthright: first lawsuit against Trump

US President Donald Trump's plan to abolish the right to citizenship by birth in the USA is meeting with resistance. Civil rights organizations have filed a lawsuit against the presidential decree with which Trump wants to abolish the so-called birthright.

The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution states that people born in the United States are citizens of the country. However, Trump argues that this does not apply if the mother was in the USA illegally or only temporarily. He refers to a subordinate clause in the amendment, namely that it concerns persons who are subject to the jurisdiction of the USA.

Donald Trump signs various decrees in the White House on January 20.
KEYSTONE

The Supreme Court has so far made no distinction as to whether the parents were in the USA legally or illegally. However, Trump's decree could lead to the issue ending up before the country's current Supreme Court. This could actually interpret the constitution differently than before.

During Trump's first term in office, the Supreme Court moved significantly to the right due to several replacements. The lawsuit accuses the Trump administration of disregarding the requirements of the Constitution, the intent of Congress and the long-standing case law of the Supreme Court.

"Denying citizenship to children born in the United States is not only unconstitutional, but also a reckless and uncompassionate rejection of American values," criticized Anthony Romero of the civil rights organization ACLU.

When signing the decree, Trump himself admitted that the plan could fail. However, he believes he has a solid legal basis. "We'll find out."

7:55 a.m.

Cuba is back on the list of terror supporters

The new US President Donald Trump has reversed a decision by his predecessor Joe Biden to no longer classify Cuba as a supporter of terrorism. Biden had only officially informed Congress last week of his decision to remove the socialist Caribbean state from the terror list by decree.

Trump reversed this step yesterday shortly after his inauguration with an executive order. Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel explained that Trump's re-designation as a terrorist state was an act of arrogance: "It is not surprising. His goal is to intensify the cruel economic war against Cuba for the purpose of domination," wrote Díaz-Canel on X.

Díaz-Canel added that Cuba's reinstatement on the list, along with a US embargo, was one of the reasons for shortages on the island that were driving people to emigrate to the US. Biden's decision was part of an agreement brokered by the Catholic Church to release political prisoners in the island state.

The day after Biden's announcement, Cuba began releasing political prisoners. Cuba had announced that it was releasing 553 prisoners as part of the Holy Year proclaimed by Pope Francis for 2025.

The prisoners included some who had protested against widespread power cuts and economic shortages in July 2021. The government's crackdown on the protesters had sparked international criticism at the time.

5.50 am

Trump dances

They may have lacked elegance, but they had fun: Donald Trump and his wife Melania performed the traditional opening dance at a ball to mark the inauguration of the new US president. In front of hundreds of enthusiastic military personnel, the Trumps - he in a tuxedo, she in a white and black evening gown - moved rather reservedly across the dance floor at the first of three balls that evening. Their faces looked a little tense.

The new US President Donald Trump (l.) with First Lady Melania Trump at the ball on the occasion of his inauguration on January 20, 2025 in Washington.
Picture: Keystone/AP Photo/Alex Brandon

After a few minutes, Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha were joined on stage by four members of the armed forces, who asked them to dance. The change of dance partners visibly loosened up Trump and Melania: Trump then shook the hand of the lady at his side appreciatively, while Melania was spun around by her dance partner, grinning broadly.

Finally, the US president was completely in his element when the Village People's campaign song "YMCA", which he often uses, was played. Trump showed off his now famous dance-like arm movements - briefly even together with Melania - and appeared detached. At times, he also performed the dance with a sabre handed to him.

The new US President Donald Trump (l.) with sabre and Vice President J.D. Vance at the ball in Washington. (January 20, 2025)
Image: Keystone/AP Photo/Ben Curtis

5:25 a.m.

Trump lifts sanctions against Israeli settlers

US President Donald Trump on Monday lifted an executive order by the Biden administration imposing sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank. The aim of Biden's order was to take action against settlers accused of using violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Since October 7, 2023, there has been an increase in riots and violence by settlers in the West Bank. The UN Office of Emergency Relief reported a total of 1432 Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians. Israeli settlers in the area have celebrated the new Trump administration because they believe it could take a more favorable stance towards illegal settlements. Already during his first term, Trump took unprecedented steps to support Israel's territorial claims, including recognizing Jerusalem as its capital and moving the US embassy there, as well as recognizing Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights.

With regard to the war between Israel and the militant Islamist Hamas, Trump said he was "not confident" that the ceasefire agreement for the Gaza Strip would hold. "This is not our war. It's their war," he told reporters on Monday. At the same time, he said his government could help rebuild Gaza. "You could do fantastic things with Gaza," he said, pointing to the territory's coastline and the "phenomenal" weather there.

3:50 p.m.

Venezuela wants to work with Trump against the cartels

Authoritarian Venezuela wants to support the new US government's fight against powerful cartels. The country is ready to resume cooperation on the extradition of Venezuelan members of transnational criminal groups, said Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab, who is loyal to the government.

The new US President Donald Trump plans to classify the notorious "Tren de Aragua" from Venezuela as well as other cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The Venezuelan cartel is involved in human smuggling in several countries, among other things. According to Saab, the organization has already been dismantled in the South American country.

Saab is one of the high-ranking Venezuelan officials in Nicolás Maduro's government who have been sanctioned by the USA and the EU. They are accused of human rights violations and undermining democracy.

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González was among the guests at Trump's swearing-in ceremony in Washington on Monday. The USA and other countries recognize him, and not Maduro, as the winner of the presidential election in July. However, the electoral authority, which is loyal to the party, declared Maduro, who has been in power for almost twelve years, the winner of the election. He was sworn in on January 10 for a further term of office until 2031.

3.43 am

Taiwan optimistic about cooperation with Trump administration

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te has expressed optimism about cooperation with the new US administration under Donald Trump. He congratulated the new US President and his Vice President J.D. Vance online on their inauguration and emphasized the important role of the USA as an ally and trading partner of Taiwan in the face of the threat from China.

During the election campaign, Trump had said that Taiwan should pay for the USA's defense. In his message, Lai emphasized that relations between Taiwan and the US have grown stronger over time and that cooperation in various areas has become increasingly robust.

Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949. However, Beijing regards the democratic island as part of Chinese territory and has already threatened to use military means to bind the island to itself.

Although the USA and Taiwan do not formally maintain diplomatic relations, a 1979 law, the Taiwan Relations Act, obliges the USA to support Taiwan's defense. To the annoyance of Beijing, the USA repeatedly sells weapons to Taipei.

3.30 a.m.

Trump issues far-reaching decree on the execution of the death penalty

On Monday, US President Donald Trump signed a far-reaching decree on the execution of the death penalty. He instructed the attorney general to take "all necessary and lawful measures" to ensure that US states have sufficient lethal injection drugs to carry out executions. Commenting on the order, which was signed in the first hours after his return to the White House, Trump said that "politicians and judges who oppose the death penalty have disregarded and undermined the laws of our country".

A moratorium on federal executions had been in place since 2021, and only three defendants remain on death row after former President Joe Biden previously commuted 37 sentences to life in prison. The Trump administration carried out 13 federal executions during Trump's first term, more than under any other president in modern history.

3:29 p.m.

Trump establishes efficiency panel for Musk by executive order

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order setting up a committee to cut US government spending, with tech billionaire Elon Musk playing a role. Trump told journalists in the White House that Musk would be given an office for around 20 employees to implement the plans.

As expected, the body will be called the "Department of Government Efficiency" - and the abbreviation DOGE corresponds to the name of a fun digital currency once popularized by Musk.

In recent months, Musk has held out the prospect of drastic cuts to the state apparatus. It remains to be seen what his actual status will be: As an active corporate citizen, he cannot simply also be a civil servant. It was expected that he would make proposals.

Trump's order also stated that US authorities would each have to provide four employees as a "DOGE team" to work with the austerity committee.

3.13 am

Trump wants to abolish citizenship by birth

US President Donald Trump wants to abolish the right to citizenship by birth in the USA. He signed a decree to this effect in the White House just a few hours after being sworn in. "The privilege of United States citizenship is a priceless and profound gift," it reads. Trump had already announced during the election campaign that he wanted to abolish birthright citizenship, whereby anyone born in the USA automatically becomes an American citizen.

However, abolishing this constitutional right is unlikely to be that easy. The move is likely to be immediately challenged in court - numerous legal experts are of the opinion that Trump cannot simply abolish this right by decree. However, Trump's decree could lead to the issue ending up before the country's Supreme Court. This could actually interpret the constitution differently than before. During Trump's first term in office, the Supreme Court moved significantly to the right due to several appointments.

The broadcaster CNN reported that Trump has now banned federal authorities from issuing certain documents to certain individuals that are normally issued to US citizens.

In his decree, Trump invokes a different interpretation of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which enshrines the right. He argues that the amendment would exclude certain people born in the USA from citizenship. He is targeting children whose parents are in the US illegally or only temporarily.

Conservatives have been trying to abolish the right to citizenship by birth for years. They are particularly targeting children born in the United States to migrants living illegally in the USA. When signing the decree, Trump said that it was based on "good legal ground". Citizenship by birth is "ridiculous".

3 o'clock

Trump orders renewed withdrawal from WHO

US President Donald Trump has once again ordered the USA to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO). In a presidential decree, Trump stated that the organization had reacted poorly to the coronavirus pandemic and was demanding unfair contributions from the United States. Although China has four times the population of the USA, it pays around 90 percent less.

Trump had already withdrawn the USA from the WHO in mid-2020. However, his successor Joe Biden returned immediately after taking office in January 2021.

Trump now complained to journalists in the White House that Biden had agreed to the re-entry with a contribution of 500 million dollars - while they, like China, had only been able to pay 39 million dollars. The WHO "ripped us off", said Trump. "Everyone is ripping off the United States - and that's over now."

Trump had already severely reproached the WHO for its handling of the pandemic when he left in 2020: he accused the UN specialized organization of having informed too late about the danger of the coronavirus and of being under the control of the Chinese government.

A guest wearing a jacket labeled "Trump - The Golden Age" at one of Trump's inauguration balls. (January 20, 2025)
Image: Keystone/AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinsonf

2:46 p.m.

Trump: Need Greenland for international security

The new US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his interest in the island of Greenland, which belongs to Denmark. "Greenland is a wonderful place. We need it for international security, and I'm sure Denmark will be there," said Trump shortly after his inauguration at the White House. He did not go into detail about what exactly he expects from Denmark.

Greenland is important for international security with regard to ships from Russia and China operating in the region, Trump continued. In addition, the population there is "not happy with Denmark".

Trump has recently expressed interest in Greenland on several occasions. Most recently, he did not rule out the use of the military and economic coercion to gain control of the world's largest island. The statements triggered international criticism.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized again shortly before Trump's swearing-in that the decision on Greenland's independence would ultimately be made by the Greenlandic people. At the same time, she wrote on Facebook that it was extremely important to maintain the alliance with the USA.

2.45 a.m.

Trump: I'm not even a dictator on my first day

The new US President Donald Trump has retracted an earlier statement that he "only wants to be dictator on the first day" of his next term of office. When asked by a reporter whether he would be a dictator on his first day back in the White House, the Republican said: "No, no, I can't even imagine being called that." He merely believes in the sanctity of the election. "The Democrats didn't do it, they cheated like dogs."

During the election campaign, Trump had repeatedly flirted with wanting to be dictator "only on day one".

Trump moved back into the White House on Monday after clearly winning the presidential election in November against Democrat Kamala Harris. She never disputed the election result - unlike Trump in the past. He has not yet acknowledged his 2020 election defeat.

2.41 pm

Trump on Gaza: "Phenomenal situation" and "best weather"

US President Donald Trump has praised the Gaza Strip for its "phenomenal location by the sea" and "best weather". You can do "some beautiful" and "fantastic" things with it, Trump said in the White House about the sealed-off coastal strip, which has been at war since the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023. A ceasefire between Israel and the Islamist Hamas is currently in force.

When asked by a journalist whether he expected the ceasefire to continue, Trump said he was not confident. "It's not our war, it's their war." The "other side" is "very weakened". He went on to say that he had looked at a picture of Gaza. It looked like a large demolition site and most of the people there were dead. It had to be rebuilt in "a different way".

2.36 p.m.

Trump assures Tiktok more time by decree

On his first day as US President, Donald Trump has issued a decree giving the video app Tiktok more time before it is shut down in the USA. Trump was convinced that he would be able to negotiate a business agreement for the app by extending the deadline.

In his decree, Trump ordered the Department of Justice not to enforce the provisions of the law for 75 days. When signing the order, Trump also explained his plan for the USA to receive a 50 percent share of the app. This would be a reasonable price for Tiktok to continue to have access to the US market. Without the consent of the USA, Tiktok would be worth nothing. He could either broker a sale or ensure that the app closes down, Trump emphasized.

At the same time, Trump played down the data protection concerns. There are bigger problems than information about young Tiktok users falling into Chinese hands, he said.

A US law stipulates that Tiktok owner Bytedance, which is based in China, had to divest itself of Tiktok by last Sunday in order for the app to remain available in the US.

The law - which Trump must also abide by - was triggered by concerns that the Chinese government could use Tiktok to gain access to US users' data and manipulate public opinion in the US. Tiktok rejects this.

2.26 am

Trump: Great feeling to be back in the White House

US President Donald Trump has expressed his delight at his return to the White House. When asked how it felt to be back in the Oval Office, he said: "What a great feeling. One of the better feelings I've ever had." Trump responded at length to questions from reporters in the Oval Office, the office of the President. Along the way, he signed decrees.

2:20 p.m.

Trump wants to talk to Putin soon

Following his inauguration, the new US President Donald Trump has held out the prospect of a meeting with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin soon. When asked when exactly he would talk to the Russian president, Trump said at the White House in Washington: "It could be very soon."

With regard to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, Trump said that the Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Selenskyj was prepared to make a deal. He did not know whether this also applied to Putin. "I think he will destroy Russia if he doesn't make a deal," Trump said. "I would hope that he would want to make a deal."

When asked when he would resolve the conflict, Trump said: "We'll try to get it done as quickly as possible." Asked about his grandiose announcement during the election campaign that he could end the war within 24 hours, the Republican replied that he had only been in office for half a day. "I have half a day left."

2.12 pm

Trump announces high tariffs against Canada and Mexico

US President Donald Trump is planning to introduce tariffs of 25 percent on products from Canada and Mexico. "I think we're going to do it on February 1st," Trump said in the White House, while signing various executive orders just hours after his inauguration. When asked by a journalist about the tariffs, Trump said: "We're thinking 25 percent for Mexico and Canada because they're letting in a lot of people (...)."

The Wall Street Journal had previously reported that Trump initially did not want to impose tariffs on trading partners such as Canada, Mexico and China. Instead, he will instruct the authorities to evaluate trade relations, it said. Shortly after winning the election in November, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China. However, he also let it be known at the time that this was planned for his first day in office.

Tariffs are a kind of surcharge on imported goods. They are payable at the border. The Republican had already relied on tariffs during his first term of office from 2017 to 2021. Economists assume that far-reaching tariffs will lead to an increase in prices in the USA.

2.07 am

Trump finds letter from Biden on camera

US President Donald Trump has found the traditional letter from his predecessor Joe Biden on camera in the White House. While Trump was signing presidential decrees, he was asked by journalists whether Biden had left him a letter. Trump feigned ignorance - and then looked in the drawer of the president's desk, where letters are usually deposited.

For a moment, Trump seemed to consider opening the letter in the livestream and reading it aloud - but then decided against it. He wanted to read it alone first, he said. The envelope was addressed to "47". Trump is the 47th US president.

Trump also said that Biden had not informed him in advance that he would pardon family members in the last minutes of his term of office.

Joe (2nd from left) and Jill Biden receive Donald and Melania Trump at the White House on handover day.
Image: Keystone

1:56 p.m.

Trump pardons those convicted of the Capitol attack

The new US President Donald Trump has pardoned numerous supporters who were convicted of the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Trump signed an order to this effect in the White House in Washington just hours after his inauguration.

Trump supporters at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Image: Keystone/EPA/Jim Lo Scalzo

It was initially unclear exactly how many people were affected - and what crimes they were convicted of in detail. People close to Trump, including his Vice President J.D. Vance, had said in advance that no one who had been violent would be pardoned. Trump, on the other hand, did not want to commit himself to details before his inauguration.

Trump had previously raved about the "great hostages" at an event in a sports arena to the cheers of supporters and added: "In most cases, they did nothing wrong." In his White House office, he said with regard to those affected: "We hope they get out tonight."

A US president has the power to shorten the sentences of offenders convicted under federal law or to pardon convicts completely - even retrospectively, i.e. after they have served a sentence. During the election campaign, Trump had repeatedly promised to make use of this power to pardon supporters who had taken part in the storming of the Capitol. He referred to them as "political prisoners" and "hostages".

On January 6, 2021, Trump supporters violently stormed the seat of parliament in the capital, Washington. Congress had convened there at the time to formally confirm Democrat Joe Biden's victory against Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Five people died as a result of the riots.

Trump had stirred up his supporters in a speech beforehand by making the unsubstantiated claim that the election victory had been stolen from him through massive fraud. Since then, he has repeated this statement countless times. To this day, Trump has not conceded his defeat in the 2020 election. The unprecedented attack on US democracy is still having an impact today.

Senate passes first bill on immigration policy

The US Senate has passed an initial bill that is likely to lend more weight to newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump's plans for US immigration policy. The bill would oblige federal authorities to detain migrants accused of theft or violent crime. It also gives US states new legal standing to challenge decisions made by immigration authorities. "If you come to this country illegally and commit a crime, you should not be able to roam the streets of this nation freely," said Republican Senator Katie Britt from Alabama, who was instrumental in pushing the bill through the Senate.

Trump has made comprehensive action on illegal immigration his top priority, and Congress, where Republicans hold the majority and some Democrats are willing to go along, has now shown it is ready to follow his lead. The Laken-Riley bill - named after a Georgia nursing student whose murder by a Venezuelan became a campaign issue for Trump last year - passed by 64 votes to 35, with 12 Democrats voting with Republicans in favor of the bill. "We don't want criminals coming into our country," Trump told supporters at the Capitol on Monday, adding that he looked forward to signing a bill "within a week or so."

Critics of the bill say the new provision could open the door for Republican attorneys general to crack down on immigration decisions at the federal level - creating even more uncertainty and partisanship in immigration policy.

1:24 p.m.

Trump wants return to office for all federal employees

Newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump wants a return to office for federal employees. After a parade in a sports arena in Washington, he signed a decree that provides for the "immediate" return of employees to the office. Since the coronavirus pandemic, home office regulations have also been in place for many authorities in the USA. It remains to be seen whether Trump will be able to force an immediate return by decree or whether further legal action will be required.

The text published by the White House on the decree contained restrictions. The heads of all departments and agencies of the executive branch are to take all necessary measures "as soon as possible" to "end remote working arrangements". However, the department heads could "make exceptions as they deem necessary".

Trump also signed an order that provides for a "hiring freeze for all federal agencies" - with the exception of the military and other central institutions. Details of this were also initially unclear. Trump said it was about "making sure we only hire competent people who are loyal to the American public".

1.21 pm

Marco Rubio confirmed as US Secretary of State

The US Senate confirms the appointment of Marco Rubio as the future Secretary of State of the United States. The vote for the former senator from Florida, who is recognized across party lines, was unanimous with 99 to 0.

Rubio, 53, has been in the US Senate since 2011. In 2016, the ambitious lawyer tried unsuccessfully to become the Republican presidential candidate. He failed in the pre-election campaign against Trump, who at the time lambasted him. The son of Cuban immigrants has distinguished himself as a Trump supporter in recent years. Rubio is one of the Trump nominations that is not perceived as controversial. In view of his positions, the German government sees overlaps on the topics of China, European security and also in relation to the war in Ukraine. Most recently, however, Rubio voted against billions in support for Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia.

1.08 pm

Trump signs withdrawal from Paris climate agreement

The new US President Donald Trump has sealed the termination of the Paris climate agreement to limit global warming. He signed the letter, which is to be sent to the United Nations, on the day of his inauguration. The withdrawal will not take effect for another year. Trump had already withdrawn the USA from the agreement during his first term of office. However, the withdrawal only lasted a few months because his successor Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to the treaty.

From Trump's point of view, the agreement is a "rip-off" of the United States and leads to competitive disadvantages. According to him, global warming does not exist and he repeatedly describes climate change as a "big hoax".

With its withdrawal, the United States is largely withdrawing from the international community's climate protection efforts. The Paris Climate Agreement aims to limit global warming to well below two degrees compared to pre-industrial times - and preferably to just 1.5 degrees. The aim is to avoid the worst consequences of the climate crisis - such as more frequent and more severe heatwaves, droughts, forest fires, storms and floods. Almost all countries in the world are part of the agreement. Only Yemen, Iran and Libya have not signed the agreement.

1.01 am

Trump rescinds around 80 executive orders from the Biden administration

The new US President Donald Trump has immediately revoked numerous decisions made by his predecessor Joe Biden. On his first day in office, the Republican said in a speech in a sports arena in Washington that he would revoke almost 80 "destructive, radical" decrees. Shortly afterwards, he signed an executive order to this effect in front of supporters. He described the Biden administration as one of the worst in history.

Biden himself had immediately reversed many of Trump's decisions at the beginning of his term of office four years ago. Among other things, US presidents can implement political priorities without the approval of Congress with the help of so-called executive orders. These decrees allow for quick decisions, but can just as easily be reversed by successors.

0:55 a.m.

Capitol storm, Hamas hostages: Smooth transition for Trump

Newly sworn-in President Donald Trump transitioned almost seamlessly from the Capitol Storm convicts to the hostages held by Islamist Hamas during his speech at the traditional inauguration parade. Relatives of the hostages stood behind the Republican during his speech. "Tonight I will sign the pardons for the J6 hostages so they can be released," Trump said.

By "J6 hostages", Trump and his supporters mean people who have been convicted of the violent Capitol storm. Trump and many Republicans have worked to reinterpret the January 6 narrative. It was not a storm, but a "day of love," Trump claimed repeatedly during his campaign.

Trump finally spoke about the Hamas hostages in his speech at the parade just moments later. He began by praising his envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who was also in attendance. "And to the former hostages who are with us today. Welcome, welcome home," he continued. "We have never stopped praying for you, and we are so glad that you are reunited with your friends and families."

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After Trump's swearing-in: Abortion rights website offline

A few hours after the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, a website set up by the previous administration to provide information on women's health services is no longer available. Anyone visiting reproductiverights.gov only saw an error message on Monday evening (local time).

The platform was launched under Democrat Joe Biden after the US Supreme Court overturned the nationwide abortion law in June 2022. The aim of the website was also to make the legal situation in the country more transparent. It provided information on access to abortion, but also on contraceptives and the protection of sensitive health data.

The dispute over abortion rights has been one of the central conflicts in the USA for years and was an important issue in the election campaign. The Democrats urgently warned against massive further restrictions under a Republican-led government.

During his first term in office, Trump shifted the ideological majority in the Supreme Court to the right by appointing several conservative judges, laying the foundation for the historic ruling in 2022. Since the ruling, the individual states have been able to decide independently on abortion law - in many of them, abortions are now almost completely banned.

However, Trump has recently distanced himself from the uncompromising anti-abortion line taken by hardliners in his party. Instead, he expressed himself cautiously and avoided taking clear positions. Polls show that a majority of Americans support a limited right to abortion.

Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 0:09 a.m.

Trump supporter withdraws from panel on spending cuts

Donald Trump has to cope with his first departure at the start of his presidency. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy is withdrawing from his work for the "Doge" ("Department of Government Efficiency") committee initiated by Trump. Ramaswamy was supposed to develop proposals for cutting US government spending together with tech billionaire Elon Musk. "Vivek Ramaswamy has played a crucial role in the development of <Doge>. He intends to run for public office soon, which under the structure announced today means he can no longer remain part of <Doge>," Trump spokeswoman Anna Kelly told Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

"Doge" is not officially part of the government, but has a close connection to it due to his job description. According to media reports, Ramaswamy is planning to run for governor of Ohio.