9 deeply unhinged things Donald Trump did on his first day back in the White House

Donald Trump has been back in office for around 24 hours and already the fever dream of the four years between 2017 and 2020 is flooding back.

Across the world, people woke up, looking anxiously at their phones, whispering to themselves: “Oh god, what has he done now.”

And the first list of troubling things he did yesterday is incredibly long.

Anyone hoping their memories of Trump’s first term were exaggerated, or that he might be more normal in his second stint will be sorely disappointed.

Here’s a round-up of some of the things Donald Trump did on his first day back in the White House that you might have missed overnight.

1. Pardoned 1,500 supporters prosecuted for taking part in a violent attempt to overthrow the government

In perhaps the most chilling action ever taken by a US President on the first day jn office, Donald Trump gave pardons to his supporters who took part in the attempted insurrection on January 6, 2021.

They include thugs who assaulted police officers and leaders of far-right groups – with as many as 418 people were convicted of violent offences – and some for serious felonies including sedition.

They included David Dempsey, who was convicted of repeatedly assaulting police officers with pepper spray, a metal crutch and wooden and metal poles. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Daniel Rodriguez was convicted of using a stun gun and “plunging it” multiple times into a police officer’s neck. Rodriguez was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison, until yesterday when he was pardoned.

Ryan Nichols pleaded guilty to assaulting officers with pepper spray. On the day he yelled “If you have a weapon, you need to get your weapon!” He also Tweeted a video in which he said: “If [Vice President Mike] Pence caved, we’re gonna drag motherf*****s through the streets.”

And also released was this guy, Keith Packer, who stormed the capital wearing a “CAMP AUSCHWITZ” hoodie.

Underneath his hoodie was another Nazi-themed tee shirt.

He was jailed 75 days for non-violent offences.

2. Repeatedly referred to the “J6 Hostages” in front of families of Israeli hostages

During his speech to supporters at the Capital One arena, the President invited a number of family members of hostages held by Hamas on to the stage.

They stood behind him for the remainder of the speech, during which he repeatedly referred to people prosecuted, tried and imprisoned for the attempted violent overthrow of the US Government as “the J6 Hostages”.

3. Pulled America out of the Paris Climate Treaty, again

During his first term, Trump pulled the US out of the Paris Climate Treaty – under which newrly every country in the world committed to trying to limit global warming below 2 degrees.

Joe Biden signed it again early in his presidency.

Of the 197 countries in the world, only Libya, Iran and Yemen have not ratified the deal.

As of yesterday, America rejoins that short exclusive group.

4. Pulled the US out of the World Health Organisation

The World Health Organisation is a group of scientists from dozens of nations who work to promote healthcare worldwide, and monitor and research potential global health emergencies, helping governments prepare for them.

Their work was critical in helping limit the impact of covid-19, particularly in developing countries.

According to lunatic conspiracy theorists, far-right grifters and idiots, the WHO is a shadowy, New World Order organisation which invents, or at least exaggerates diseases in order to exert power, control population or benefit pharmaceutical companies.

Guess who Trump is siding with.

With America leaving the group, the WHO loses its biggest single source of funding, which will impact on its ability to respond to future pandemics.

5. Said he’s fine with China spying on young American children

While signing his massive stack of executive orders, Trump was asked if he was concerned about un-banning Tiktok, given concerns about the Chinese government stealing people’s personal information.

“Remember,” he said. “TikTok is largely about kids. Young kids. If China is going to get information about young kids, I dunno. I think to be honest with you we have bigger problems than that.”

Speaking of Tiktok, Shou Zi Chew, the CEO was seated next to incoming Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard at the inauguration.

6. Insisted he’s not a dictator, then gave a very dictator-ish answer to this question

Asked if he would live up to his promise to be a “dictator on day one”, he said: “No. I can’t imagine even being called that.”

Then it went on to say more things, some of which sounded like the kind of things a dictator might say.

“I believe in the sanctity of the vote. The Democrats didn’t because [in 2020] they cheated like dogs.”

7. Talked about Gaza as if it were a real estate opportunity

Asked whether he thought the ceasefire would hold in the Middle East, the President shrugged, saying: “I’m not confident. It’s not our war, it’s their war.”

He went on to talk about Gaza, where tens of thousands of people have been killed under Israeli bombardment, as if it were a real estate opportunity.

“I looked at a picture of Gaza,” he said. “Gaza is like a massive demolition site. That place has got to be rebuilt in a different way.”

Asked if he’d help with rebuilding, he again shrugged and said: “I might. You know Gaza’s interesting, it’s a phenomenal location.

“On the sea, the best weather, you know everything’s good. Beautiful things could be done with it. Fantastic things could be done with Gaza.”

He later said of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un: “I like him… I think he has tremendous condo capability. He’s got a lot of shoreline.”

8. Stranded 1,600 refugees fleeing Afghanistan

Trump immediately halted America’s refugee resettlement programme.

This had the effect of cancelling flights which were due to take Afghans eligible to take refuge to the US.

Many of them are in danger and have time-sensitive reasons to leave the country or neighbouring Pakistan because of their past association with the US.

9. Danced to YMCA while waving around a sword

Very cool. Absolutely not the kind of thing you could imagine Gaddafi doing.

Also, he did all of these things:

• Stripped trans people of their legal recognition and protections, saying: “We don’t want to have men playing in women’s sports. We don’t want to have transgender operations for everyone.”
• Invited Elon Musk to speak at his inaugural parade event, during which he appeared to give a ‘nazi salute’
• Mulled the idea of US Special Forces invading Mexico to “take out” leaders of drug cartels, something Mexico would almost certainly consider an act of war
• Revoked security clearances for 51 people who signed a letter suggesting Hunter Biden’s laptop could be Russian disinformation
• Gave himself the authority to grant Top Secret clearance to whoever he likes
• Renamed Mount Denali to Mount McKinley against the wishes of the state of Alaska
• Renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America
• Repealed 78 Joe Biden executive actions, including one which sought to reduce the price of prescription drugs for the poor and elderly