And so it begins.
Donald Trump sat at a desk and began signing his first batch of executive orders, including having his cabinet take control of the executive branch of the government and seeing to it that all flags are flown at full mast during inaugurations.
In attendance to watch the signings were Democrats Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as well as Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, as well as Senate Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Next to him was Vice-President J.D. Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson, and standing behind him was his wife Melania Trump.
As you can see, the mood was light, and Schumer was even making jokes with Trump as he signed them into law.
The cameras caught the special moment when Trump effectively signed the orders appointing members to temporary cabinet and sub-cabinet positions, effectively giving him control of the U.S. executive branch. These cabinet heads will stay in these offices until Trump's appointees are confirmed.
BREAKING: President Donald Trump signs the first executive orders of his term, all geared toward making his appointments and taking control of the executive branch.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 20, 2025
One of them ensures flags for every inauguration are flown at FULL MAST. pic.twitter.com/HkNj9hFRqc
Those holding these temporary positions include James McHenry, who will take over the Justice Department until Pam Bondi is confirmed. McHenry has been at the Justice Department since 2003, and specializes in immigration enforcement. Since 2017, he's been overseeing immigration judges, and fits well with Trump's focus on immigration reform.
Robert Salesses will be the head of the Defense Department until Pete Hegseth arrives. He is a Marine veteran and has been working within the federal government for decades, working in various roles within the Pentagon during several presidential administrations, and recently serving as deputy head of the Washington Headquarters Service.
David Lebryk will temporarily take over the Treasury Department until Scott Bessent is approved by the Senate. He too has served various administrations, and was currently acting as fiscal assistant secretary.
Vince Micone will run the Labor Department until Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer can step in to take the job after confirmation.
Denise Carter will serve as acting secretary of the Education Department until Linda McMahon can step in.
Other names have been posted to the WhiteHouse.gov website to give you an open look as to who will be filling roles until all the final pieces have been put in place:
Gary Washington Secretary of Agriculture Jeremy Pelter Secretary of Commerce Robert Salesses Secretary of Defense Mark Averill Secretary of the Army Terence Emmert Secretary of the Navy Gary Ashworth Secretary of the Air Force Denise Carter Secretary of Education Ingrid Kolb Secretary of Energy Dorothy Fink Secretary of Health and Human Services Benjamine Huffman Secretary of Homeland Security Matthew Ammon Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Walter Cruickshank Secretary of the Interior James McHenry Attorney General Vincent Micone Secretary of Labor Lisa Kenna Secretary of State David Lebryk Secretary of the Treasury Judith Kaleta Secretary of Transportation Todd Hunter Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Payne Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Everett Woodel Administrator of the Small Business Administration Matthew Vaeth Director of the Office of Management and Budget Stacey Dixon Director of National Intelligence Juan Millan United States Trade Representative Thomas Sylvester, Jr. Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Charles Ezell Director of the Office of Personnel Management Stephen Ehikian Administrator of General Services Michelle King Commissioner of Social Security Brian Driscoll Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Jason Gray Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development Janet Petro Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Caleb Vitello Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
With these signed, Trump is now officially in control of the Executive Branch of the United States government after a long, hard road to get there.
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