WASHINGTON, Jan 22, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Donald Trump targeted opponents and 
touted a huge AI project Tuesday in a shock-and-awe start to his second 
presidency -- but faced defiance including a rare public dressing down from a 
bishop.

The Republican also defended his sweeping pardons of US Capitol rioters, 
including key figures from the far-right Proud Boys and Oath Keepers groups 
who were released from jail on Tuesday.

Trump has vowed a "new golden age" for America, signing a slew of executive 
orders in his first 24 hours on immigration, gender and climate that overturn 
many of Democrat Joe Biden's policies.

Flanked at the White House by the chiefs of Japanese giant Softbank, Oracle 
and ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, Trump announced a venture called "Stargate" which 
will "invest $500 billion, at least," in AI infrastructure in the United 
States.

"This monumental undertaking is a resounding declaration of confidence in 
America's potential," said Trump.

Tech barons have swung behind Trump, with the world's richest man Elon Musk 
even joining his administration. Trump said he was open to Musk buying the 
Chinese-owned app TikTok to keep it open in the United States.

But Trump -- at 78 the oldest person ever to be sworn in as president -- has 
also promised retribution as part of what he says is a bid to overhaul 
Biden's "deep state."

His administration fired Coast Guard chief Linda Fagan -- the first woman to 
lead a US military service -- with an official blaming her "leadership 
deficiencies" and an "excessive focus" on diversity programs.

- 'Have mercy' -

Trump also withdrew Secret Service protection for former US national security 
advisor John Bolton, the target of an alleged Iranian assassination plot, 
with whom he fell out.

"He was a very dumb person," said Trump.

Trump earlier announced plans to fire some 1,000 opponents in federal roles. 
Four people had already been "FIRED!" he wrote, including retired general 
Mark Milley, his former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, who became a 
prominent critic.

Trump however faced fresh criticism from an unexpected and powerful voice 
Tuesday when a Washington bishop told him from the pulpit that he was sowing 
fear among America's immigrants and LGBTQ people.

"I ask you to have mercy, Mr President," the Washington National Cathedral's 
Mariann Edgar Budde told an unsmiling Trump, seated in the front pew for the 
customary inaugural service next to his wife Melania.

Asked later what he thought about the remarks, Trump said: "I didn't think it 
was a good service."

Trump issued measures Monday to suspend the arrival of asylum seekers and 
expel migrants in the country illegally. He also decreed that only two sexes 
-- male and female, but not transgender -- will be recognized.

- 'Ridiculous' -

He also granted pardons to more than 1,500 people who stormed the Capitol on 
January 6, 2021, including those convicted of assaulting police officers.

Two prominent rioters had their sentences commuted: Enrique Tarrio, the 
former leader of the far-right Proud Boys, and Stewart Rhodes, the head of 
another such group, the Oath Keepers.

"I thought their sentences were ridiculous and excessive," Trump told 
reporters.

Trump had infamously told the Proud Boys to "stand back and stand by" when 
asked during a debate with Biden in 2020 whether he condemned white 
supremacist and militia groups.

Democrats condemned the "shameful" pardons.

The Republican president meanwhile faced pushback on his order revoking 
birthright citizenship -- guaranteed by the US Constitution -- with 22 
Democratic-leaning states launching legal action against the plan.

It would prevent the federal government from issuing passports or citizenship 
certificates to children whose parents are in the country illegally or 
temporarily.

Trump is pushing a turbocharged agenda after his inauguration on Monday, in 
which he gave a speech that mixed dark imagery about a failing America with 
promises of renewal.

He is also sowing fresh disruption on the international stage.

Trump threatened tariffs against the European Union on Tuesday, adding the 
bloc to Canada and Mexico as potential targets.

He added that Russia was likely to face fresh sanctions if it did not agree 
to a peace deal in Ukraine.