The newly inaugurated President wasted no time making headlines with a sweeping array of uniquely Trump executive orders and controversial pardons.
On January 20, 2025, Trump returned to the Oval Office, issuing a series of directives that underscored his intention to wield executive power decisively.
Among the most polarizing of his actions was the pardon of over 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol attack, a move that reignited debates over accountability, justice, and the boundaries of presidential authority.
Pardons Spark Outrage and Relief
Trump’s sweeping pardons, announced just hours after his swearing-in ceremony, drew sharp criticism from lawmakers and law enforcement.
The attack on January 6, 2021, left 140 police officers injured and became a defining moment in recent U.S. history.
Critics, including some of those injured, expressed outrage at the clemency granted to those who had been charged or convicted for their roles in the riot.
The pardons covered a wide range of cases, from misdemeanors like trespassing to violent assaults on police officers.