13w ago / 8:31 PM EST

Trump signs executive order withdrawing from WHO

Trump signed an executive order withdrawing from the World Health Organization, the global agency that came into the spotlight at the height of the Covid pandemic.

"Oh, that's a big one," Trump said as he took the black folder containing the executive order.

Trump then lamented how much funding the United States gives the WHO per capita and compared it with the amount of money sent by China.

"Seemed a little unfair to me," he said.

13w ago / 8:29 PM EST

Trump's Jan. 6 pardons are 'full, complete and unconditional,' with commuted sentences for 14 people

Trump granted a "full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021."

The pardon does not distinguish between violent and non-violent offenders.

Trump also commuted the sentences of 14 people who are serving sentences related to the Jan. 6 attack. Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right group Oath Keepers, had been sentenced to 18 years in prison. Joseph Biggs, a Proud Boys leader, was sentenced to 17 years behind bars.

Here's a list of Jan. 6 defendants whose sentences have been commuted.

13w ago / 8:28 PM EST

Trump bashes Biden's pre-emptive pardons for family and Jan. 6 committee

Trump bashed the pre-emptive pardons Biden issued before he left office earlier today.

"I think it makes Biden look very bad, very weak and very guilty," he said.

Those pardoned included members of Biden's family and the House Jan. 6 committee. Trump accused Biden of having pardoned them because "they're guilty as hell." The pardons do not signify any wrongdoing.

13w ago / 8:25 PM EST

Trump signs declaration of 'national energy emergency' to boost resource extraction

Among the actions Trump signed tonight was a declaration of a national energy emergency to enable additional resource extraction, which he referred to as "a big one."

"That means you can do whatever you have to do to get out of that problem," Trump said. "And we do have that kind of an emergency."

The declaration permits Trump to boost U.S. energy production, including drilling in Alaska.

13w ago / 8:21 PM EST

Trump says no security concerns for inauguration 

Elyse Perlmutter-Gumbiner

Asked whether a security reason was why the inauguration was moved inside (as many right-wing X users were speculating), Trump dispelled that, saying, “No, no, no, no security,” adding: “No, it was just cold weather, and we made a good move, because first of all, I thought it was incredible in the Capitol today.”

13w ago / 8:20 PM EST

Trump threatens China with tariffs if a TikTok deal is blocked

Trump said that "if China didn't approve [a TikTok divestiture deal], we could put tariffs on China."

The remark came as he signed an order directing the attorney general not to take action related to the law banning TikTok for 75 days, starting today.

"If we wanted to make a deal with TikTok and it was a good deal and China wouldn't approve it ... we'd put tariffs on China," Trump said. "I'm not saying I would, but you certainly could do that."

13w ago / 8:16 PM EST

Trump says he is 'not confident' he can keep the ceasefire in Gaza

Asked how confident he feels that he can keep the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Trump said he is "not confident."

"That’s not our war; that’s their war," he said.

Discussing the process of rebuilding in Gaza, he said: "Gaza is interesting. It’s a phenomenal location on the sea — best weather, everything’s good. Some beautiful things could be done with it."

13w ago / 8:15 PM EST

Trump says Spain is a BRICS nation. It is not.

Trump falsely referred to Spain as being part of the so-called BRICS, a group of countries including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

"Spain is very low. Aren't they a BRICS nation?" he said to a reporter, who had asked about countries' spending.

"What?" the reporter asked.

"They're a BRICS nation, Spain," Trump said. "You know what a BRICS nation is? You'll figure it out."

13w ago / 8:13 PM EST
13w ago / 8:12 PM EST

Trump signs executive order giving TikTok a 75-day extension

Trump signed an executive order tonight delaying implementation of the TikTok ban, saying the order will give him the right to "either sell it or close it."

Specifically, the order instructed the attorney general not to "take any action" for 75 days to enforce the ban until his administration can determine the appropriate path forward.

TikTok thanked Trump after it briefly went dark this weekend, crediting him with working to make sure the site remained accessible. Trump, now a proponent of the app, had previously denounced it over national security concerns.

Regarding his change in position, Trump said when he was asked that it will "depend on the deal."