Trump signs executive orders on federal workforce, free speech

President Trump signed multiple executive orders during his inauguration parade at Capital One Arena on Monday evening, throwing pens to supporters after a signing ceremony.

The signings at a small desk set up on stage in the Washington, D.C., arena took place at the end of an unorthodox presidential parade that was moved indoors due to cold temperatures outside.

The president signed orders mostly aimed at the federal government workforce, targeting some of former President Biden’s executive orders in an effort to undo them. He signed an order to implement a regulatory freeze that aims to prevent “bureaucrats” from issuing any more regulations until the Trump administration has “full control” of the government, according to his aide handing him the orders.

Someone in the crowd yelled, “Sir, can I have a pen?” He held up the orders after he signed them for the crowd to see while Vice President Vance stood behind him, looking on.

He then signed a federal government hiring freeze, with an exception for military hiring, until “full control of the government is achieved,” the aide said.

“Could you imagine Biden doing this? I don’t think so,” Trump said as he signed the orders to yells from his supporters in the arena.

“Most of those bureaucrats are getting fired, they’re gone,” Trump said in his remarks before the signing to preview the order. He added that the order will issue a temporary hiring freeze to ensure they only hire “competent people who are faithful to the American public.”

Trump signed a separate order directing federal workers to return to office. Many federal employees have been able to work remotely since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, but Trump and his allies have signaled that requiring them to return to in-person work could be a way to thin out the workforce.

The president also issued an order withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. Trump had withdrawn from the global pact to lower emissions in 2017, but Biden rejoined the agreement in 2021. Another order included a letter to the United Nations to explain that the U.S. would be withdrawing from the treaty.

Additionally, he signed orders to “address the cost of living crisis,” prevent government censorship of free speech and to end the weaponization of government against political adversaries of the previous administration. The details of those orders were not clear.

After he finished signing the orders, he threw pens into the crowd as they chanted “USA.” The text of the orders Trump signed was not immediately available.

Trump is expected to sign other executive actions later Monday at the White House. The president signaled during the parade that he intended to pardon many of the Jan. 6, 2021, rioters who were charged over their actions four years ago at the Capitol.

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