Trump pardons nearly 1,600 Capitol riot defendants as he signs first orders of presidency

Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th US president.

The new president and Vice-President JD Vance are attending three inaugural balls this evening to round off the day.

Trump arrives directly from the Oval Office, where he earlier signed a flurry of executive actions – here’s a summary.

He issued nearly 1,600 pardons in connection with the Capitol riots on 6 January 2021 – many are expected to be released within hours.

“The golden age of America begins right now,” Trump said in his inaugural address earlier today, adding that he will be a “peacemaker and a unifier.”