The second President Donald Trump administration got off to a rapid start during its first day back in office.

The 45th and now 47th POTUS was sworn into office again Jan. 20 during a ceremony that moved indoors to the Capitol due to bitter cold in Washington, D.C.

In his speech, Trump pledged to end the “decline” of America.

“The golden age of America begins right now,” said Trump. “From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer. During every single day of the Trump administration, I will, very simply – put America First.”

Following the inauguration’s pomp-and-circumstance, Trump went over to Capital One Arena for a rally of sorts. That event also featured a scaled-down parade, which would normally have happened outdoors. Additionally, Trump signed several Day One Executive Orders.

The president later traveled to the Oval Office, signing several more actions while he went back-and-forth with reporters.

Some key day one Trump executive orders include:

• Pardons and commutations for Jan. 6 defendants
• An extension allowing more time to find a new owner and delaying the TikTok ban
• Declaring an energy emergency with several actions, such as:
  • • Temporarily halting offshore wind leases
    • Pausing new approvals, permits and loans for onshore and offshore wind projects while the interior secretary reviews
• Withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization and Paris climate agreement
• Ending:
  • • Work-from-home for federal employees
    • Government DEI programs
    • Birthright citizenship
• A hiring freeze at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

The president is slated Tuesday to make an announcement regarding infrastructure.

Peaceful transfer of power

Leaders around the Garden State continue to react to the inauguration and first day in office.

“Congratulations to President Trump on being sworn in for his second term,” said Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. “I am committed to partnering with the Trump administration where our priorities align – just as I did at the start of my administration. But, just as importantly, I will never back down from defending our New Jersey values – if and when they are tested.”

“The peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of our democracy,” said New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin. “Congratulations to President Trump on being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States.”

“Just as I have with every president, I will continue to fight for what matters most to New Jerseyans, and do all I can to protect the freedoms and liberty of all Americans,” said U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat.

“Donald Trump will take the oath today because the status quo simply isn’t working for most people,” said U.S. Sen. Andy Kim. “The mandate for change isn’t just his but everyone who swears an oath to public service. Within that change, we have a choice; between allowing corruption to thrive or combatting it, between handing out favors to corporations and special interests or providing opportunities for working families, and between being weak and alone or strong and leading the world into the rest of this century.

“Our job isn’t to score political points – but to make sure that the change we make brings a new status quo that works for everyone,” the Democratic senator continued. “I’m ready to get to work.”

Republican reactions

The First 100 Days

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“Happy Inauguration Day,” New Jersey Senate Republicans wrote on social media. “Today, we celebrate the strength of our great democracy with the swearing-in of the 47th POTUS, Donald J. Trump and VP JD Vance. As they assume the responsibility of leading our nation, may God grant them wisdom and guidance and may God bless America.”

“President Trump declared that today begins a new golden age for America and the people of the United States,” said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th District. “We welcome him back and thank President Trump for working to defeat the radical and destructive policies of the Biden-Harris administration. Beginning today with dozens of executive orders, President Trump will restore American leadership on the world stage and return prosperity and security for the American people.”

“Today is a new day in America,” said U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd District, wrote on social media.  “Welcome back, Mr. President.”

Not ‘New Jersey’s priorities’

“Today, as President Trump is sworn into his second term, we honor the peaceful transfer of power, which we once took for granted. It’s a cornerstone of our democracy because it symbolizes that the American people and the American people alone are the ones who vote for their elected leaders,” said U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st District. “As Americans, we should always strive to build a better nation, and I hope that during the next four years, we can make progress in this fight.”

“Today, President Donald Trump began his first day in office by issuing executive orders to roll back environmental protections, undermine our democracy, and threaten vulnerable people in New Jersey — instead of addressing our affordability crisis. Those aren’t New Jersey’s priorities, and they certainly won’t bring costs down for New Jersey families,” said U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-11th District, a 2025 gubernatorial candidate. “I swore to protect and defend the United States for the first time when I was 18 at the Naval Academy, and have taken that oath time and again throughout my career.

“I’m not backing down now because our future and our country are worth fighting for,” Sherrill said.

“We are reviewing the President’s Executive Order on birthright citizenship,” Platkin said later in the day Monday as the EO’s were signed. “Make no mistake, birthright citizenship is enshrined in the Constitution, and we will stand up for the rule of law. Stay tuned.”

Presidents can’t overrule the Constitution and centuries of precedent with a stroke of a pen.

I’m leading a coalition of 18 states in suing to stop Trump’s unlawful EO banning birthright citizenship.

When we say we will fight for the rule of law, we mean it. pic.twitter.com/arwPZ2IRS5

— Attorney General Matt Platkin (@NewJerseyOAG) January 21, 2025