Trump issues pardons for participants in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol

Trump fulfills promises, issues pardons, signs executive orders, and taunts Biden in aggressive start to second presidency.

Donald Trump issued pardons for participants in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, including those convicted of assaulting police, in his first official action after returning to the White House as the country’s 47th president on Monday.

The pardons of about 1,500 people fulfilled Trump’s promise to release supporters who tried to help him overturn his election defeat four years ago. Another 14 people had their sentences commuted.

Trump signs slew of executive orders on Day 1: A full list

“These are the hostages,” he said while signing the paperwork in the Oval Office. Trump said he hopes many are freed shortly.

His desk was covered with executive orders for increasing border security, designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, limiting birthright citizenship and establishing a task force for reducing the size of the federal government. It was an aggressive start for Trump's second presidency as he claimed a mandate to reshape American institutions and unravel Joe Biden's legacy.

While sitting at the desk, a reporter asked if Biden left him a note, a tradition during presidential transitions. Trump looked in a drawer and found an envelope.

"Maybe we should all read it together?" Trump joked when holding it up for the cameras. He didn't open the envelope.