Just hours after his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump signed a record 78 executive orders aimed at reversing or undermining politics set out by his predecessor Joe Biden and strengthening his own agenda. Trump supporters, who had been waiting for hours in the cold to catch a glimpse of him, were overjoyed.
"I'll revoke nearly 80 destructive and radical executive actions of the previous administration," Trump told a crowd in Washington after his inauguration on Monday.
"I will implement an immediate regulation freeze, which will stop Biden bureaucrats from continuing to regulate," Trump went on, adding he will also "issue a temporary hiring freeze to ensure that we're only hiring competent people who are faithful to the American public."
Among the executive orders signed, several have caught the world's attention, in particular, leaving the World Health Organization and the Paris climate agreement and pardoning rioters who ransacked Congress in January of 2021.
Trump also rescinded sanctions imposed by the former Biden administration on far-right Israeli settler groups and individuals for allegedly committing violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, the new White House website said.
The White House adds that Trump will "take bold action to secure our border and protect American communities," declaring drug cartels as "terrorist organisations" and stressing his old mantra of "cleaning the swamp," in Washington DC by streamlining the federal bureaucracy.
Wrath of God
Earlier in the day, thousands of the president's supporters wearing Trump hats, shawls, trousers or even branding orange wigs reminiscent of Trump's hairdo, queued up outside hoping to get a glimpse of their hero.
The inaugural parade was originally to take place in different locations along the length of Pennsylvania Avenue, with groups of performers and musicians from 30 states taking part.
But just three days before the event, icy temperatures saw all activities moved indoors.
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Religious preachers standing along the queue with banners and loudspeakers blasting about the "wrath of God" and demanding the passers-by to "repent" made for a surreal atmosphere.
"We’re excited," Nelissa Hayes, sporting a white Trump baseball hat, told RFI. "We’re happy.
"(Trump) will turn our country around in the right direction, protect our children, protect our citizens, protect our border, put America back on track and make America great again," using the mantra of the Trump campaign.
"He said that he will fulfil all his promises. We're happy we are here, we're in line," says Jason Blechennel, another Trump fan.
Lori from Oregon, who had been queueing since 7am planning to get a glimpse from Trump, who had promised to come to the Capitol One Arena, had given up hope to enter.
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Frustrated
"I just follow these people. The atmosphere is great," adding that "it is a very special day for me. Because I love President Trump. And I love (Vice-President) JD Vance. And I love America. And they represent the America that I love."
Temperatures dropped on Sunday from around freezing point to -11C on Monday prompting Trump to express concern that people might get "sick or hurt" if they stood outside too long.
Yet thousands braved the cold anyway hoping, often in vain, to get into the Arena, which could house only one tenth of the 200,000 people that had come down to Washington to watch the parades.
One distinguished looking gentleman from Boston, wearing a red ski-cap says that he is "Very frustrated. I have a VIP pass, and then I tried to get into it, and it was all over, due to bad weather."
Nelissa doesn't mind. "I was a little disappointed," she told RFI. "But you know what: I think I care more about the safety of our new incoming President."
In a Starbucks not far from the Arena, enjoying a hot coffee with her mother, Maria from California rejoices. "Look, before last November it was kind of embarrassing to say that you would vote for Trump. You didn't really want to talk about it. You thought you were a minority. But now it appears we are not."
Others join in with agreement, and the group ends with chanting "USA! USA!"
On Tuesday, Trump will still go to an interfaith National Prayer Service at 11 am at the Washington National Cathedral, after which life in the US capital will turn to a new political page under Donald J. Trump's second presidency.
