On his first day in office, U.S. President Donald Trump issued pardons for over 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.

The pardon list included prominent figures such as Enrique Tarrio, former leader of the Proud Boys, who was sentenced to 22 years for leading a violent assault on the Capitol.

Trump also commuted the sentences of Stewart Rhodes, leader of the Oath Keepers, reducing his 18-year sentence to time served. Both men were convicted of seditious conspiracy related to the Capitol attack.

Trump described the rioters as “hostages” during a White House signing ceremony and stated that he granted “full pardons” to the more than 1,500 defendants involved in the attack.

“We hope they come out tonight, frankly,” he added. The pardons came after Trump’s repeated campaign promises to release those charged in connection with the insurrection, whom he referred to as “patriots” and “political prisoners.”

The assault on the Capitol had left over 140 police officers injured and resulted in significant property damage.

The rioters aimed to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden’s electoral victory, following a speech by Trump where he falsely claimed victory in the 2020 election.

Former Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi condemned the pardons, calling them an “outrageous insult” to the justice system and to the officers who protected the Capitol.

Trump, who faced charges from special counsel Jack Smith for attempting to overturn the 2020 election, had these charges dropped due to his status as a sitting president.

Alongside the pardons, Trump also commuted the sentences of nine Oath Keepers members, including Rhodes, and five Proud Boys.

The pardons apply to all individuals convicted in connection with the Capitol riot, and the executive orders will lead to the immediate release of those still incarcerated.

Meanwhile, outgoing President Joe Biden issued his own series of pardons, protecting various individuals from politically motivated prosecutions by the Trump administration.

These included family members and former political figures such as Anthony Fauci and Liz Cheney.

In a separate executive action, Trump also initiated the process of withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO) for the second time during his presidency.

Trump cited the WHO’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its alleged political bias towards China as reasons for the withdrawal.

He also criticized the financial contributions the U.S. made to the WHO, calling them unfair and overly burdensome.

Trump had previously attempted to withdraw from the WHO during the pandemic, a move that was reversed by President Biden.

Trump’s new order makes it likely that the U.S. will formally leave the organization, although he left the door open for a potential return in the future.

Public health experts have criticized the decision, warning that it could undermine global health efforts and harm the U.S.’s leadership in international public health.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump on his swearing-in as U.S. President, expressing support for the incoming administration’s stance on key international issues.

In a statement to Russian news agencies during a meeting of the National Security Council on Monday, Putin acknowledged Trump’s calls for restoring direct communication between Moscow and Washington and his commitment to preventing a third world war.

“We certainly welcome this approach and congratulate the President-elect of the United States on his inauguration,” Putin said.

The Russian president also indicated his readiness to engage in discussions with the new U.S. administration regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

He emphasized that Russia is seeking long-term peace, rather than a temporary ceasefire, to avoid future hostilities.

For nearly three years, Russia has been engaged in a devastating war against Ukraine.

Moscow has consistently accused Ukraine’s government of oppressing its Russian-speaking citizens, while also expressing concerns over Ukraine’s potential NATO membership, which it views as a security threat.

In addition to territorial concessions, Russia demands that Ukraine renounce any ambitions for a powerful military and abandon its NATO aspirations.

Moscow also claims the right to protect the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine and to have a say in the country’s future political landscape.

In his first speech after being sworn in for a second, non-consecutive term, President Donald Trump promised a comprehensive crackdown on illegal immigration, vowing to send “millions and millions of criminal aliens” back to their home countries.

During his inauguration ceremony on Monday, Trump outlined a series of executive orders aimed at tackling what he described as the growing threat of illegal immigration.

He emphasized that his administration would take immediate action to halt illegal entries at the U.S.-Mexico border.

“Today, I will sign a set of historic executive orders,” Trump declared.

“These measures will mark the beginning of the full restoration of America and usher in a new era of common sense and lawfulness.”

Trump announced plans to declare a national emergency at the southern border to ensure that illegal immigration comes to a halt.

“All illegal entry will be stopped immediately, and we will begin the process of returning millions of criminal aliens to their countries of origin,” he said.

Additionally, the president reaffirmed his commitment to reinstating the controversial “Remain in Mexico” policy, under which asylum seekers would be required to stay in Mexico while awaiting their immigration court hearings in the U.S.

Renowned political scientist Professor Bolaji Akinyemi has urged President Bola Tinubu to be cautious in his dealings with the newly inaugurated 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Akinyemi warned that engaging in a confrontation with Trump could prove unwise.

“If I were President Tinubu, I would avoid antagonizing Trump,” Akinyemi stated.

“There is nothing a bully enjoys more than taking on those who are not strong enough to resist him,” he added, stressing that sometimes it is better to avoid direct confrontation, even if it means enduring actions that may be contrary to Nigeria’s interests.

Akinyemi, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), further referenced an African proverb, noting that confronting a bully without the strength to back it up can lead to unnecessary suffering.

He advised Tinubu to find ways to address any issues with Trump without engaging in a head-on confrontation.

Commenting on Trump’s inaugural speech, Akinyemi expressed disappointment, calling it “uninspiring,” “shocking,” and “depressing.”

Instead of uniting the world, Trump’s address focused on asserting aggressive policies, including controversial stances like reclaiming the Panama Canal and renaming the Gulf of Mexico.

Akinyemi warned that Trump would soon face the consequences of his “jingoistic” policies, predicting a tumultuous four years ahead.

Akinyemi, who also served as Nigeria’s former Minister of External Affairs, stated that Nigeria would likely not be a priority under Trump’s administration.

He urged that Nigeria should not expect any extraordinary changes in relations with the U.S. during Trump’s second term.

Trump was sworn in on Monday, marking his return to the presidency after losing his re-election bid in 2020.

At his inauguration, he was surrounded by a group of powerful figures, including billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg.

In contrast to his previous refusal to attend Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration, former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton were present at this event, signaling a return to traditional norms, despite the absence of Michelle Obama, who chose not to attend.