first 100 days of Barack Obama's presidency

{{Barack Obama sidebar}}

During the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt promised drastic initiatives within his first 100 days.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna7712434|title=First 100 days of the second term: President Bush has reached an important milestone|access-date=February 2, 2009|date=May 2, 2005|work=NBC News|author=Schuster, David}} The New Deal legislation he got passed set a standard of action that subsequent presidents have been measured against. Although it has less significance, some analysts even make comparisons of the performances of presidents during their first 100 days of the second term.

Obama and previous presidents have made statements that downplayed the significance of their first 100 days. John F. Kennedy once said his mission might never be accomplished: "All this will not be finished in the first hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first thousand days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin."{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/15/AR2009011502569_pf.html |title=How Will He Govern? Watch the First Day. |access-date=January 18, 2009 |date=January 18, 2009|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Meacham, Jon}}

Obama's first 100 days were highly anticipated after he became the apparent presumptive nominee.{{cite web|url=http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/05/obamas_priorities_for_first_10.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508120357/http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/05/obamas_priorities_for_first_10.html|archive-date=2012-05-08|title=Obama's priorities for first 100 days|access-date=January 18, 2009|date=May 28, 2008|publisher=Tribune Interactive|work=The Swamp|author=Dorning, Mike|url-status=live}} In his first 60 Minutes post-election interview Obama said that he had been studying Roosevelt's first 100 days.{{cite web|url=http://www.laprogressive.com/2008/12/16/the-first-hundred-days-or-the-last-hundred-days/|title=The First Hundred Days or the Last Hundred Days?|access-date=January 18, 2009|date=December 16, 2008|work=The LA Progressive|author=Chernus, Ira|author-link=Ira Chernus|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210030908/http://www.laprogressive.com/2008/12/16/the-first-hundred-days-or-the-last-hundred-days/|archive-date=February 10, 2009|df=mdy-all}} Understanding the significance and symbolism of the first 100 days, Hillary Clinton's campaign strategy included mapping out a first 100 days plan.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna24132393|title=Clinton sketches her first 100 days agenda: Says Bush-Cheney era would be over in name and in practice on day one|access-date=February 2, 2009|date=April 15, 2008|work=NBC News}}

While Obama began preparation for his first 100 days during the presidential transition following his election, he stated that America only has one president at a time, especially for issues related to international affairs.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/30/AR2008123003104.html|title=Obama's "one president" gambit|access-date=January 17, 2009|date=January 17, 2009|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Shear, Michael D.}} During the first hundred days in office presidents are highly scrutinised and heading into the period Obama's intention was to attempt to execute several plans that are going to be watched closely.{{cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2009/01/wag_the_blog_redux_7.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112123442/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2009/01/wag_the_blog_redux_7.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 12, 2012|title=Wag the Blog Redux: Obama's First 100 Days|access-date=January 17, 2009|date=January 9, 2009|work=Chicago Tribune|series=The Fix|author=Cilizza, Chris}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/18/books/review/Greenberg-t.html|title=Fearless Leader|access-date=January 17, 2009|date=January 16, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Greenberg, David}}

Despite his attempt to downplay its significance, Obama's first 100 days were highly anticipated ever since he became the presumptive nominee. Several news outlets, such as Fox News and CBS News, even created special portals dedicated to covering the subject.Examples of "100 days"–portals:

• {{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/100-days|title=Obama's First 100 Days|work=Huffington Post|access-date=January 21, 2009}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722210838/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/index.html|archive-date=2009-07-22|title=The 1st 100 Days of the Presidency|publisher=Fox News|access-date=January 21, 2009|url-status=dead}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sections/politics/100days/main503723.shtml|title=The 44th President 100 Days|work=CBS News|access-date=January 21, 2009}}

Commentators particularly weighed in on challenges and priorities within the fields of domestic and foreign policy, on economic issues, and on the environment.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2471452.htm|title=Domestic issues to dominate Obama's first 100 days in office|last=Hall|first=Ashley|date=January 21, 2009|publisher=ABC Online, Australia|access-date=January 21, 2009}}{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article5558726.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629141854/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article5558726.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 29, 2011|title=Barack Obama calls halt to Guantanamo trials|last=Naughton|first=Philippe|date=January 21, 2009|work=The Times |access-date=January 21, 2009 | location=London}}{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2009/01/20/news/economy/obama_first100days/?postversion=2009012012|title=First 100 days: Obama's burden|last=Sahadi|first=Jeanne|date=January 20, 2009|publisher=CNN|access-date=January 21, 2009}}{{cite news|url=http://environment.about.com/b/2009/01/20/obamas-first-100-days-an-environmental-agenda-for-obamas-first-100-days.htm|title=Obama's First 100 Days: An Environmental Agenda for Obama's First 100 Days|last=West|first=Larry|date=January 20, 2009|publisher=About.com|access-date=January 21, 2009|archive-date=April 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412174509/http://environment.about.com/b/2009/01/20/obamas-first-100-days-an-environmental-agenda-for-obamas-first-100-days.htm|url-status=dead}} CNN listed a number of economic issues which "Obama and his team [would] have to tackle in their first 100 days", foremost among which was implementing a recovery package to deal with the 2008 financial crisis.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/44.president/first.100.days/|title=The 44th President: First 100 days|access-date=February 2, 2009|publisher=Cable News Network|work=CNNPolitics.com}} Even MSNBC.com, which didn't use portals, acknowledged the notability of Obama's first 100 days by including it in the titles of its stories.{{cite web|url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/27/1762222.aspx|title=First 100 days: Heading to the Hill|access-date=February 4, 2009|date=January 27, 2009|publisher=MSNBC|author=Montanaro, Domenico|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130033822/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/27/1762222.aspx|archive-date=January 30, 2009|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/30/1773615.aspx|title=First 100 days: Obama vs. Wall Street|access-date=February 3, 2003|date=January 30, 2009|publisher=MSNBC|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202101144/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/30/1773615.aspx|archive-date=February 2, 2009|df=mdy-all}} On Obama's first day in office, BBC World Service released the results of an opinion poll of more than 17,000 people in 17 countries; it showed that 67% anticipated Obama would strengthen U.S. relations abroad, and 80% of Italians and Germans believed U.S. relations with the rest of the world would improve under Obama.{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2009/scene/markets-festivals/world-watches-obama-inauguration-1117998807/|title=World watches Obama inauguration: International audiences have mixed views|access-date=March 9, 2009|date=January 20, 2009|work=Variety |author=Thomas, Archie}}

Clive Stafford Smith, a British human rights lawyer, expressed hopes that Obama would close Guantanamo Bay detention camp within the time period. In addition, there were speculations in Jakarta that he might return to his former home city within the first 100 days{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/world/jakarta-schoolchildren-cheer-for-the-rise-of-a-former-student/2009/01/21/1232471395138.html|title=Jakarta schoolchildren cheer for the rise of a former student|last=Murray|first=Lisa|date=January 22, 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=January 21, 2009}} after presidential aides announced his intention to hold a major foreign policy speech in the capital of an Islamic country.

The New York Times devoted a five-day series, which was spread out over two weeks, to anticipatory analysis of Obama's first hundred days. Each day a political expert's analysis was followed by freely edited blog postings from readers. The writers compared Obama's prospects with the situations of Franklin D. Roosevelt (January 16 and February 2, Jean Edward Smith),{{cite news|url=http://100days.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/16/how-fdr-made-the-presidency-matter/|title=How F.D.R. Made the Presidency Matter|access-date=January 29, 2009|date=January 16, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Smith, Jean Edward}}{{cite news|url=http://100days.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/obama-fdr-and-taming-the-press/|title=Obama, F.D.R. and Taming the Press|access-date=February 4, 2009|date=February 2, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Smith, Jean Edward}} John F. Kennedy (January 19 and February 10, Richard Reeves),{{cite news|url=http://100days.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/19/kennedys-words-obamas-challenge/|title=Kennedy's Words, Obama's Challenge|access-date=January 29, 2009|date=January 19, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Reeves, Richard}}{{cite news|url=http://100days.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/missile-gaps-and-other-broken-promises/|title=Missile Gaps and Other Broken Promises|access-date=February 12, 2009|date=February 10, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Reeves, Richard}} Lyndon B. Johnson (January 23, Robert Dallek),{{cite news|url=http://100days.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/lbj-obama-and-reassuring-a-worried-nation/|title=L.B.J., Obama and Reassuring a Worried Nation|access-date=January 29, 2009|date=January 23, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Dallek, Richard}} Ronald Reagan (January 27, Lou Cannon),{{cite news|url=http://100days.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/obamas-reagan-transformation/|title=Obama's Reagan Transformation?|access-date=January 29, 2009|date=January 27, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Cannon, Lou}} and Richard Nixon (February 4, Roger Morris).{{cite news|url=http://100days.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/the-president-behind-the-mask/|title=The President Behind the Mask|access-date=February 12, 2009|date=February 4, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Morris, Roger}}

Even political advocacy groups such as Amnesty International planned special strategies to leverage the strategic and political significance of the first 100 days; the group organized a 100 Days Campaign for human rights.{{cite web|url=http://www.amnestyusa.org/war-on-terror/100-days-action/page.do?id=1051272|title=100 Days Action!|access-date=February 16, 2009|publisher=Amnesty International USA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218114415/http://www.amnestyusa.org/war-on-terror/100-days-action/page.do?id=1051272|archive-date=February 18, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

{{Main|First inauguration of Barack Obama}}

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The first 100 days of the Presidency of Barack Obama began during the inauguration of Barack Obama with the conversion of Whitehouse.gov from the Bush Administration version to the Obama Administration version at 12:00 pm on January 20, 2009.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/20/AR2009012002153.html|title=Whitehouse.gov Has A New Face, And a Blog|access-date=January 28, 2009|date=January 20, 2009|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Schonfeld, Erick}} This was only the second presidential online portal transition. At 12:01, White House Director of New Media Macon Phillips posted the website's first blog post with themes of "communication", "transparency" and "participation".{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/20/AR2009012004060.html?sub=AR|title=Democracy Online: WhiteHouse.gov Turns the Page|access-date=January 28, 2009|date=January 21, 2009|newspaper=The Washington Post|author1=Vargas, Jose Antonio |author2=Sarah Cohen}}{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/change_has_come_to_whitehouse-gov/|title=Change has come to WhiteHouse.gov|access-date=January 28, 2009|date=January 20, 2009|via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov|author=Phillips, Macon}}

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Article 2, Section 1, Clause 8 of the Constitution states: "Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:" Then, Article Two of the United States Constitution sets out the language that should be used in the oath of office of the president of the United States: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." The Vice President also has an oath of office, but it is not mandated by the Constitution and is prescribed by statute.{{cite web|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/05/3331- |title=Oath of office in the US : Title 5, 3331. Oath of office |publisher=Law.cornell.edu |access-date=November 11, 2008}}

During the inauguration, there were two matters of controversy. First, although Obama constitutionally assumed the Presidency at 12:00 pm on January 20, he did not complete the oath of office until 12:05 pm.{{cite web|url=http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2009/01/21/is-obama-really-president-after-oath-flub/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325095900/http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2009/01/21/is-obama-really-president-after-oath-flub/|archive-date=2009-03-25|title=Is Obama Really President After Oath Flub?|access-date=February 2, 2009|date=January 21, 2009|publisher=AOL, LLC.|work=Political Machine|author=Knowles, David}} Clinton also completed the oath about five minutes late during his first inauguration. Additionally, Obama and the administering official, Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts, did not execute the 35-word oath as prescribed by the United States Constitution. First, Obama jumped in before the "do solemnly swear" phrase, which seemed to throw the Chief Justice off his stride. Subsequently, Roberts moved the word "faithfully" back nine spots, and used "to" instead of "of." That threw the president off, and he smiled and paused to collect his thoughts, then decided to follow Roberts' lead. The flaw is recorded in the transcript of the oath as follows:{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/21/obama-re-takes-oath-of-office-at-the-white-house/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123031225/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/21/obama-re-takes-oath-of-office-at-the-white-house/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 23, 2009|title=Obama re-takes oath of office at the White House|access-date=February 1, 2009|date=January 21, 2009|publisher=Cable News Network LP, LLLP|work=Political Ticker|author=Mears, Bill}}{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/20/chief-justice-roberts-officiates-inauguration/|title=Obama, Chief Justice Roberts Stumble in Recitation of Presidential Oath: Chief Justice John Roberts officiated over his first inauguration Tuesday by swearing in President-elect Barack Obama as president of the United States.|date=January 20, 2009|publisher=Fox News Network, LLC|access-date=February 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124145742/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/20/chief-justice-roberts-officiates-inauguration/|archive-date=January 24, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/20/1751351.aspx|title=About That Oath Flub|access-date=February 1, 2009|date=January 20, 2009|publisher=MSNBC|author=Montanaro, Domenico|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121194437/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/20/1751351.aspx|archive-date=January 21, 2009|df=mdy-all}}

:Roberts: I, Barack Hussein Obama …

:Obama: I, Barack …

:Roberts: … do solemnly swear …

:Obama: I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear …

:Roberts: … that I will execute the office of president to the United States faithfully …

:Obama: … that I will execute …

:Roberts: … the off – faithfully the pres – the office of president of the United States …

:Obama (at the same time): … the office of president of the United States faithfully …

According to the Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution, Section 1: "The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January". Thus, Bush had relinquished the Presidency at 12:00. According to the Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution, Section 3: If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President,... if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified." By Article Two, Section 1, Clause 8 of the Constitution and Amendment 20, Some feel that Obama was not able to assume the Presidency until 12:05.{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2009/01/20/remember-when-biden-was-president/|title=Remember When Biden Was President?|access-date=February 2, 2009|date=January 20, 2009|publisher=Creative Loafing Media|work=Washington City Paper|author=Beaujon, Andrew}} In fact, since Biden did not complete his oath until 12:01, there was further speculation as to who was President for the first minute after Bush relinquished control.

Several political and constitutional law experts questioned whether Obama was officially the president since he had not correctly performed the constitutional duty of the Oath. The following day at about 7:35 pm the White House,{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/21/obama.oath/index.html|title=Obama retakes oath of office after Roberts' mistake|access-date=February 2, 2009|date=January 22, 2009|publisher=Cable News Network|work=CNNPolitics.com}} Roberts re-administered the oath in an act that White House Counsel Greg Craig described as stemming from "an abundance of caution," to quell any concerns that the President may not have been properly sworn in.{{cite web | year = 2009 | url = https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28780417| title = Obama retakes oath of office after flub|work=NBC News | access-date =February 1, 2009}} Both Calvin Coolidge and Chester Arthur retook the oath under similar circumstances.

{{Main|Cabinet of Barack Obama|Barack Obama Supreme Court candidates|List of federal judges appointed by Barack Obama}}

{{Obama cabinet infobox}}

Twenty-two members of the Obama administration are either in the United States Cabinet (15) or are in positions considered to be Cabinet-level (7) and must be confirmed by the current Senate. The members of the Cabinet are the heads of the fifteen major departments (State, Defense, Justice, etc.), and the seven cabinet-level positions are the Vice President, White House Chief of Staff, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador to the United Nations, and Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.{{cite web|url=http://www.addictionpro.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=440B847037BC4AFA8B377E381E9C548D&nm=&type=Blog&mod=BlogTopics&mid=67D6564029914AD3B204AD35D8F5F780&tier=7&id=908F70B4E94849F8B3FAA3025FE9221A|title=Obama's Cabinet Full ... Except for Drug Czar|access-date=January 28, 2009|date=December 19, 2008|author=Daniel Guarnera|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716131511/http://www.addictionpro.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=440B847037BC4AFA8B377E381E9C548D&nm=&type=Blog&mod=BlogTopics&mid=67D6564029914AD3B204AD35D8F5F780&tier=7&id=908F70B4E94849F8B3FAA3025FE9221A|archive-date=July 16, 2012|df=mdy-all}} Since Robert Gates was a member of the previous administration, his letter of resignation (a formality at the end of a President's term) was simply not accepted, and he did not need confirmation.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99674016|title=The Obama Cabinet: Confirmations & Nominations|access-date=January 28, 2009|date=January 22, 2009|publisher=National Public Radio}} On January 19, 2009, Senate Democratic leaders requested fifteen of the twenty-two positions to be ratified by unanimous consent,{{cite web|url=http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/senate-considers-unanimous-consent-on-obama-cabinet-2009-01-19.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123165526/http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/senate-considers-unanimous-consent-on-obama-cabinet-2009-01-19.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 23, 2009|title=Senate considers unanimous-consent on Obama Cabinet|access-date=January 28, 2009|date=January 19, 2009|publisher=Capitol Hill Publishing Corp.|work=The Hill|author=Rushing, J. Taylor}} and seven gained unanimous confirmation by voice vote the next day: Ken Salazar, Steven Chu, Arne Duncan, Peter Orszag, Eric Shinseki, Tom Vilsack, and Janet Napolitano.{{cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/6221081.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628203310/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/6221081.html|archive-date=2011-06-28|title=Senate confirms 7 Obama Cabinet nominees: Vote on Clinton delayed a day after Cornyn's objection|access-date=2009-01-29|date=January 20, 2009|work=The Houston Chronicle}} On January 21, Obama presided over the swearing in of the seven unanimous nominees.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/us/politics/22obamacnd.html|title=On His First Full Day, Obama Tackles Sobering Challenges|access-date=January 28, 2009|date=January 21, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Knowlton, Brian}} Later that day, the Senate confirmed Hillary Clinton by a 94–2 vote.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-clinton-secretary22-2009jan22,0,4663498.story|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227070746/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-clinton-secretary22-2009jan22,0,4663498.story|archive-date=2009-02-27 |title=Hillary Clinton confirmed for Cabinet, but Eric Holder delayed|access-date=January 28, 2009|date=January 21, 2009|work=Los Angeles Times|author1=Meyer, Josh |url-status=dead|author2=Paul Richter}} On January 22, several more confirmations were approved unanimously: Susan E. Rice, Ray LaHood, Lisa P. Jackson, and Shaun Donovan.{{cite news|url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/more-obama-cabinet-nominees-confirmed/|title=More Obama Cabinet Nominees Confirmed|access-date=January 28, 2009|date=January 22, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Phillips}} On January 26, the Senate confirmed Timothy Geithner by a 60–34 margin,{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/01/27/geithner_confirmed_sworn_in_at_treasury/|title=Geithner confirmed, sworn in at Treasury: Obama cites urgency of acting quickly|access-date=January 28, 2009|date=January 27, 2008|publisher=The New York Times Company|work=Boston Globe}} and Holder was confirmed on February 2 by a 75–21 margin.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/02/holder.confirmed/|title=Holder confirmed as attorney general|access-date=February 3, 2009|date=February 2, 2009|publisher=Cable News Network}} Of the 31 nominations that Obama has made to senior posts only 17 were approved in January.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/01/AR2009020101965.html|title=The Nomination Express, Stuck in First Gear|access-date=February 2, 2009|date=February 2, 2009|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Kamen, Al}}

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At the conclusion of Obama's first week as President, Hilda Solis, Tom Daschle, Ron Kirk, and Eric Holder had yet to be confirmed, and there had been no second appointment for Secretary of Commerce. Republicans were also delaying Solis's confirmation due to a perceived lack of transparency. Holder was later confirmed by a vote of 75–21 on February 2,[https://web.archive.org/web/20090205231403/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/holder_confirmation Senate confirms Holder as first black AG] and on February 3, Obama announced Senator Judd Gregg as his second nomination for Secretary of Commerce, since Bill Richardson had withdrawn amid a grand jury investigation into a state contract awarded to his political donors.{{cite news |first=Jeff |last=Zeleny |title=Obama Set to Add Republican to Cabinet |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/us/politics/03gregg.html |work=The New York Times |date=February 2, 2009 |access-date=February 3, 2009}} Daschle withdrew later that day amid controversy over his failure to pay income taxes and potential conflicts of interest related to the speaking fees he accepted from health care interests.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090206194553/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090203/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/daschle_taxes Daschle withdraws as nominee for HHS secretary] On February 12, Judd Gregg withdrew his nomination as Secretary of Commerce, citing "irresolvable conflicts" with President Obama and his staff over how to conduct the 2010 census and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090215190823/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/gregg_withdrawal Gregg withdraws nomination to become commerce secy] On February 24, Solis was confirmed by an 80–17 vote.{{cite news |first=Kate |last=Phillips |title=Senate Confirms Solis as Labor Secretary |url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/senate-confirms-solis-as-labor-secretary/|work=The New York Times |date=February 24, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2009}}{{cite news |author=Fletcher, Michael A. |title=Solis Confirmed as Labor Secretary|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/02/24/solis_cleared_for_senate_confi.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112212416/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/02/24/solis_cleared_for_senate_confi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 12, 2012|newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 24, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2009}}

The same day rumours abounded that former Democratic two-term Washington governor Gary Locke would be named as the third Obama Commerce Secretary nominee.{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Baker |title=Official Says Ex-Governor Is New Commerce Choice|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/us/politics/24commerce.html|work=The New York Times |date=February 23, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2009}}{{cite news |first=Matthew |last=Bandyk |title=What You Should Know About Gary Locke, Obama's Potential Commerce Secretary |url=https://www.usnews.com/blogs/risky-business/2009/02/24/what-you-should-know-about-gary-locke-obamas-potential-commerce-secretary.html |publisher=U.S. News & World Report LP |work=U.S. News & World Report |date=February 24, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227081307/http://www.usnews.com/blogs/risky-business/2009/02/24/what-you-should-know-about-gary-locke-obamas-potential-commerce-secretary.html |archive-date=February 27, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}{{cite news |author=Cillizza, Chris |title=Locke Called Commerce Pick: Former Washington Governor Was a Clinton Supporter|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/23/AR2009022302618.html|newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 24, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2009}} Locke was formally nominated on February 26,[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-feb-26-na-locke26-story.html Former Gov. Gary Locke nominated for Commerce secretary] and was confirmed on March 24 by voice vote.{{cite news|url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/24/locke-confirmed-as-commerce-secretary/|title=Locke Confirmed as Commerce Secretary|work=The New York Times|date=March 24, 2009|access-date=March 30, 2009|last=Wheaton|first=Sarah}}

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On March 2, Obama introduced Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius as his second choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services. He also introduced Nancy-Ann DeParle as head of the new White House Office of Health Reform, which he suggested would work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services.[http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003064035 CQ Transcript: President Obama Announces Nomination of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to Head HHS]{{dead link|date=December 2013}} Ron Kirk was confirmed on March 18 by a 92–5 vote in the Senate.,[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-kirk-trade,0,5324728.story Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk confirmed as US trade representative] and by the end of March, Sebelius was the only remaining Cabinet member yet to be confirmed.

By comparison, Bill Clinton only had one outstanding Cabinet confirmation at the end of his first day in office and George W. Bush had all but one approved before February 1, 2001. Ronald Reagan had twelve of thirteen Cabinet members confirmed before February 1, and Jimmy Carter had all eleven of his confirmed. George H. W. Bush only had seven of thirteen confirmed by this time. Whereas his predecessors had to trade favours for contentious approvals such as Zoe Baird (Clinton), John Tower (G.H.W. Bush), or John Ashcroft (G.W. Bush), Obama has largely focused on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a proposed economic stimulus package totalling nearly $1 trillion.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123275672929711875|title=Delays in Cabinet Nominations Demonstrate GOP Resolve|access-date=January 28, 2009|date=January 24, 2009|publisher=Dow Jones & Company, Inc.|work=The Wall Street Journal|author=Weisman, Jonathan }}

During the presidential transition between the election and the inauguration, Obama named Bill Richardson to be his Commerce Secretary. Richardson withdrew his nomination on January 5 because of scrutiny regarding a pay to play scandal in which he was being investigated because his donors curiously received a lucrative transportation contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28493919|title=Richardson withdrawal leaves cabinet gap: New Mexico governor insists he will be cleared in a grand jury probe|access-date=February 3, 2009|date=January 6, 2009|work=NBC News|author=Mitchell, Andrea}} On February 3, Obama announced the nomination of Republican Judd Gregg in his place.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/blogs/risky-business/2009/02/03/judd-gregg-to-be-commerce-secretary-stick-out-like-sore-thumb-in-obama-cabinet.html|title=Judd Gregg To Be Commerce Secretary, Stick Out Like Sore Thumb In Obama Cabinet|access-date=February 3, 2009|date=February 3, 2009|publisher=U.S. News & World Report LP|work=U.S. News & World Report|author=Bandyk, Matt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207105629/http://www.usnews.com/blogs/risky-business/2009/02/03/judd-gregg-to-be-commerce-secretary-stick-out-like-sore-thumb-in-obama-cabinet.html|archive-date=February 7, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/blogs/risky-business/2009/02/03/judd-gregg-the-anti-commerce-secretary.html|title=Judd Gregg: The Anti-Commerce Secretary?|access-date=February 3, 2009|date=February 3, 2009|publisher=U.S. News & World Report LP|work=U.S. News & World Report|author=Bandyk, Matt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208144150/http://www.usnews.com/blogs/risky-business/2009/02/03/judd-gregg-the-anti-commerce-secretary.html|archive-date=February 8, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

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Tom Daschle was Obama's original nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary. However, he owed over $128,000 in taxes over three years, failed to report more than $83,000 in consulting fees in 2007, and owed $12,000 in interest and penalties. He also provided insufficient documentation for $15,000 of the $276,000 in charitable contributions that he and his wife, Linda, gave during the three-year period being studied by the panel. Daschle also had some miscommunications with his accountant on the $255,000 use of a luxury car service that was used 80% for personal services. Daschle paid his back taxes six days before his first confirmation hearings with the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/30/AR2009013003793_2.html|title=Daschle Owed Back Taxes That Exceeded $128,000|access-date=February 2, 2009|date=January 31, 2009|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Connolly, Ceci, Paul Kane and Joe Stephens}} On February 3, The New York Times called the Daschle nomination into question both for his tax issues and for his extensive private sector work in the health services industry. The editorial noted that although Daschle was aware of his tax problem in June 2008, he did not correct it until his cabinet nomination.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/opinion/03tue1.html|title=Editorial: The Travails of Tom Daschle |access-date=February 3, 2009|date=February 3, 2009|work=The New York Times}} Later that day, Daschle withdrew his nomination.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/03/daschle/|title=Daschle withdraws as HHS nominee|access-date=February 3, 2009|date=February 3, 2009|publisher=Cable News Network|work=The 44th President: First 100 Days|author=Henry, Ed and Kristi Keck}}

Though Hillary Clinton was ultimately confirmed on January 21 by a 95–2 vote, with David Vitter (R-Louisiana) and Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) in dissent, Senate Republicans slowed the process due to objections over the charitable activities of Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton. John Cornyn (R-Texas) held up proceedings for a day to discuss this matter. Richard Lugar (R-Indiana), the ranking Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, expressed an interest in President Bill Clinton's foundation reject foreign contributions to avoid possible conflict of interest. Sen. Clinton contended that the foundation's disclosure plans already exceeded legal requirements.

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Timothy Geithner, who was nominated as Treasury Secretary, also encountered tax issues.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090204085524/http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/03/america/03lobby.php Obama's promise of ethics reform faces early test], International Herald Tribune, February 3, 2009 He apologised to the United States Senate Committee on Finance for having overlooked paying $34,000 in Social Security and Medicare taxes earlier this decade.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/21/AR2009012102630.html|title=Senate confirms Clinton as secretary of state|access-date=February 2, 2009|date=January 22, 2009|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Flaherty, Anne}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The committee endorsed Geithner by an 18–5 margin with half of the ten Republicans opposing the nomination.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/id/28791544|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115070541/https://www.cnbc.com/id/28791544|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 15, 2016|title=Geithner Gets Senate Committee Approval For Treasury|access-date=February 2, 2009|date=January 29, 2009|publisher=CNBC, Inc.|work=CNBC}} He was confirmed despite failure to pay a total of $43,000 in taxes and penalties, which troubled the Senate.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/26/AR2009012602342.html|title=Taking Office at Treasury, Geithner Vows Swift Action|access-date=February 2, 2009|date=January 27, 2009|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Cho, David}}

Holder was endorsed by the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary by a 17–2 margin on January 28. Dissent on his confirmation centred on his support for some of Bill Clinton's controversial pardons and commutations of sentence.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/29/AR2009012902690.html|title=Senate set to confirm Holder as AG on Monday|access-date=February 2, 2009|date=January 29, 2009|newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Republican Cornyn had sought a pledge from Holder that he would not prosecute intelligence agents who participated in harsh interrogations, but Holder, who if confirmed will have to review Justice Department officials who may have violated the law for possible prosecution, refused to give such a pledge.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/02/AR2009020201091.html|title=Holder debate turns partisan|access-date=February 2, 2009|date=February 2, 2009|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Margasak, Larry}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Obama had nominated Nancy Killefer for the position of Chief Performance Officer, but Killefer withdrew on February 3 after it was revealed that she had failed to pay the unemployment compensation tax for a household employee for a period of 18 months.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

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The vote on Hilda Solis for Secretary of Labor had originally been scheduled for February 5, but she faced delayed confirmation hearings due to her pro-labor activities as a board member of American Rights at Work and because of $6,400 in unpaid tax liens against her husband's auto repair business.[http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/02/05/Tax_problems_delay_vote_on_Hilda_Solis/UPI-61081233871528/ Tax problems delay vote on Hilda Solis], UPI Online, February 5, 2009 Both Solis, who was uninvolved in the business, and her husband claimed not to have had any knowledge of the 16-year-old liens prior to their disclosure by a newspaper, and they paid it when notified. Delays were however exacerbated due to Solis' perceived unresponsiveness to questions. On February 11, the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions voted by voice vote to endorse Hilda Solis as the Labor Secretary,{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/02/solis_nominatio.html|title=Solis nomination clears committee|access-date=February 12, 2009|date=February 11, 2009|publisher=The New York Times Company|work=The Boston Globe|author=Rhee, Foon}}{{cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/02/11/senate_committee_to_vote_on_so.html?hpid=topnews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112123451/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/02/11/senate_committee_to_vote_on_so.html?hpid=topnews|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 12, 2012|title=Solis Nomination Sent to Full Senate|access-date=February 12, 2009|date=February 11, 2009|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Fletcher, Michael A.}} with the only dissenting members of the 22-person committee Republicans Tom Coburn and Pat Roberts.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE51B03R20090212|title=Obama's labor nominee advances despite tax problem|access-date=February 12, 2009|date=February 11, 2009|publisher=Thomson Reuters|work=Reuters|author=Allen, JoAnne}} Solis was later confirmed on February 24.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090227124536/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/02/24/solis-confirmed/ political ticker]

On February 12, Senator Judd Gregg withdrew his name from consideration as United States Commerce Secretary. Judd cited policy differences between himself and the Obama administration as his primary reasons and noted that unlike earlier withdrawals he was not having difficulties with the vetting process. He had reservations about the stimulus package and about the changes being made in the United States Census Bureau as his primary concerns.{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0209/18794.html|title=W.H. 'blindsided' by Gregg withdrawal|access-date=February 12, 2009|date=February 12, 2009|publisher=Capitol News Company LLC |work=Politico|author1=Kady, Martin II |author2=Jonathan Martin}}{{cite news|url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/gregg-withdraws-his-name-from-commerce-secretary-nominee/|title=Gregg Withdraws as Commerce Secretary Nominee|access-date=February 12, 2009|date=February 12, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Zeleny, Jeff}}{{cite web|url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/02/12/1792622.aspx|title=Judd Gregg withdraws nomination|access-date=February 12, 2009|date=February 12, 2009|publisher=MSNBC|author1=Murray, Mark|author2=Ken Strickland|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214191026/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/02/12/1792622.aspx|archive-date=February 14, 2009|df=mdy-all}}

Gregg has a track record of opposing funding for the Census, that is highlighted by his tenure as the Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on the Budget. The Congressional Black Caucus and National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials both expressed disappointment at Gregg's nomination because the United States Department of Commerce oversees the Census. The White House subsequently said it take control of the 2010 United States Census, but then backpedaled saying that they would "work closely" with the United States Census Director. Republicans were alarmed by the foreshadowing of "backroom deals" by the White House and Rahm Emanuel.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/02/12/washington/AP-Census-Politics.html|title=Gregg Withdrawal Complicates Plans for 2010 Census |access-date=February 13, 2009|date=February 13, 2009|work=The New York Times}} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wmur.com/politics/18700309/detail.html |title=Political Fight Brewing Over Gregg, Census |access-date=February 13, 2009 |date=February 13, 2009 |publisher=Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc./The Associated Press |work=WMUR-TV |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229083943/http://www.wmur.com/politics/18700309/detail.html |archive-date=February 29, 2012 }}

While pundits puzzled over U.S. Trade Representative-designate Ron Kirk's failure to be confirmed by March 2009, it was reported on March 2 that Kirk owed over $10,000 in back taxes. Kirk agreed to pay them in exchange for Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus's aid in speeding up the confirmation process;[http://www.newsweek.com/id/187278 Trade nominee Ron Kirk agrees to pay back taxes] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306141240/http://www.newsweek.com/id/187278 |date=March 6, 2009 }} he was later confirmed on March 18.

On March 31, Kathleen Sebelius, Obama's nominee for Health and Human Services secretary, revealed in a letter to the Senate Finance Committee that her Certified Public Accountant found errors in her tax returns for years 2005–2007. She, along with her husband, paid more than $7,000 in back taxes, along with $878 in interest.[https://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/03/31/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry4908247.shtml Another Obama Nominee Has Tax Issues], CBS News, March 31, 2009

Appointees serve at the pleasure of the President and were nominated by Barack Obama except as noted.

• Sheila Bair, Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation¹
• Retired Admiral Dennis C. Blair, Director of National Intelligence
• Richard Holbrooke, special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan
• Retired General James L. Jones, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
• George J. Mitchell, special envoy to the Middle East
• Robert Mueller, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation²
• Leon Panetta, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
• Christina Romer, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers
• Dennis Ross, Special Advisor for the Gulf and Southwest Asia under the Secretary of State
• Mary Schapiro, Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission
• Lawrence Summers, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of National Economic Council
• Paul Volcker, Chairman of the Economic Recovery Advisory Board

¹Appointed by George W. Bush in 2006 to a five-year term

²Appointed by George W. Bush in 2001 to a ten-year term

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One of the first acts by the Obama administration after assuming control was an order signed by Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel that suspended all pending federal regulations proposed by outgoing President George W. Bush so that they could be reviewed. This was comparable to prior moves by the Bush Administration upon assuming control from Bill Clinton, who in his final 20 days in office issued 12 executive orders.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press|title=Obama halts all regulations pending review|date=January 20, 2009 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28758810|access-date=February 1, 2009}}

Due to the economic crisis, the President enacted a pay freeze for senior White House staff making more than $100,000 per year.{{cite web |work=NBC News|title=Obama's first day: Pay freeze, lobbying rules|date=January 21, 2009 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28767687|access-date=February 1, 2009}} The action affected approximately 120 staffers and added up to about a $443,000 savings for the United States government.{{cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/washingtonpostinvestigations/2009/01/_thanks_to_dan_froomkins.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112222458/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/washingtonpostinvestigations/2009/01/_thanks_to_dan_froomkins.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 12, 2012|title=Adding Up the White House Pay Freeze|access-date=February 1, 2009|date=January 22, 2009|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Kravitz, Derek}}

Obama also announced stricter guidelines regarding lobbyists in an effort to raise the ethical standards of the White House.{{cite news |work=USA Today|title=Obama freezing pay of top staff; signs ethics rules|date=January 21, 2009|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/01/61712448/1|access-date=February 1, 2009|first=Mark|last=Memmott}} The new policy bans aides from attempting to influence the administration for at least two years if they leave his staff. It also bans aides on staff from working on matters they have previously lobbied on, or to approach agencies that they targeted while on staff. Their ban also included a gift-giving ban.{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090121/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_executive_pay|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205101249/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090121/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_executive_pay|archive-date=2009-02-05|title=Obama freezes salaries of some White House aides|access-date=February 1, 2009|date=January 21, 2009|publisher=Yahoo! Inc./The Associated Press|work=Yahoo! News|author=Loven, Jennifer}} However, one day later he nominated William J. Lynn III, a lobbyist for defence contractor Raytheon, for the position of Deputy Secretary of Defense.{{cite news |publisher=CNN|title=Obama breaks his own rule|date=January 23, 2009 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/23/campbell.brown.lobbyists/index.html|access-date=January 23, 2009}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20120112221632/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/washingtonpostinvestigations/2009/01/president_barack_obamas_strict.html?wprss=washingtonpostinvestigations Obama Nominee Runs Into New Lobby Rules], Washington Post, January 23, 2009 Obama later nominated William Corr, an anti-tobacco lobbyist, for Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services.{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jD58Zx753doVTt9hPlrUQeS8d4lwD963OSGO0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205110420/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jD58Zx753doVTt9hPlrUQeS8d4lwD963OSGO0|archive-date=2009-02-05|title=Promises, Promises: No lobbyists at WH, except ...|agency=Associated Press|access-date=February 3, 2009|date=February 2, 2009}}

In his first week in office, President Obama signed an executive order suspending all the ongoing proceedings of Guantanamo military commission and ordering that the detention facility would be shut down within the year.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/us/politics/22gitmo.html| title=Obama Issues Directive to Shut Down Guantánamo| date=January 21, 2009| publisher=NY Times | first1=Mark | last1=Mazzetti | first2=William | last2=Glaberson | access-date=May 2, 2010}}{{cite web |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/ClosureOfGuantanamoDetentionFacilities/ |title=Closure Of Guantanamo Detention Facilities |publisher=White House |date=January 22, 2009 |access-date=January 27, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130015955/http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/ClosureOfGuantanamoDetentionFacilities/ |archive-date=January 30, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite news |work=USA Today|title=Obama signs order to close Guantanamo in a year|date=January 22, 2009 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/22/AR2009012201531.html|access-date=January 22, 2009}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He also signed an order requiring the Army Field Manual to be used as guide for terror interrogations, banning torture and other illegal coercive techniques, such as waterboarding.[https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/us/politics/23obama.html Obama Reverses Key Bush Security Policies], The New York Times, January 22, 2009 He also signed the Protocol III of United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons to restrict the usage of incendiary weapons.{{Cite web |title=U.S. Incendiary-Weapons Policy Rebuffed {{!}} Arms Control Association |url=https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2010-03/us-incendiary-weapons-policy-rebuffed |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=www.armscontrol.org}}[https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/MTDSG/Volume%20II/Chapter%20XXVI/XXVI-2.en.pdf CONVENTION ON PROHIBITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF CERTAIN CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS WHICH MAY BE DEEMED TO BE EXCESSIVELY INJURIOUS OR TO HAVE INDISCRIMINATE EFFECTS (WITH PROTOCOLS I, II AND III)] Obama also issued an executive order entitled "Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel," setting stricter limitations on incoming executive branch employees and placing tighter restrictions on lobbying in the White House.{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/ExecutiveOrder-EthicsCommitments/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623185411/http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/ExecutiveOrder-EthicsCommitments|archive-date=2013-06-23|title=Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel|access-date=January 22, 2009|publisher=White House|url-status=dead|work=Whitehouse.gov}} Obama signed two Presidential Memoranda concerning energy independence, ordering the Department of Transportation to establish higher fuel efficiency standards before 2011 models are released and allowing states to raise their emissions standards above the national standard.{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog_post/Fromperiltoprogress/|title=From Peril to Progress|access-date=January 26, 2009|via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov|date=January 26, 2009}} He also ended the Mexico City Policy, which banned funds to international groups that provide abortion services or counselling.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE50M3PQ20090123|title=Obama ends funding ban for abortion groups abroad|access-date=January 23, 2009 | work=Reuters | date=January 23, 2009}}[https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/01/23/washington/AP-Obama-Abortion-Ban.html Obama reverses Bush abortion-funds policy] January 23, 2009

File:Barack Obama Weekly Address 3-6-09.jpg

In his first week he also established a policy of producing a weekly Saturday morning video address available on Whitehouse.gov and YouTube,{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/weekly_address/|title=President Barack Obama's Weekly Video Address|date=January 24, 2009|publisher=White House|access-date=January 26, 2009|work=Whitehouse.gov|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122233027/http://www.whitehouse.gov/weekly_address/|archive-date=January 22, 2009|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/whitehouse|title=Official White House YouTube Channel|date=January 24, 2009|publisher=YouTube, LLC|access-date=January 26, 2009}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/us/politics/25obama.html|title=In Effort to Build Support, Obama Details Stimulus Plan|date=January 24, 2009|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 26, 2009|author=Baker, Peter}} much like those released during his transition period.{{cite web|url=http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/your_weekly_address_from_the_president_elect/|title=Your Weekly Address from the President-elect|date=November 15, 2008|publisher=The Office of the President-elect|access-date=January 26, 2009|work=Change.gov|author=Bleeker, Andrew|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126220934/http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/your_weekly_address_from_the_president_elect/|archive-date=January 26, 2009|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2008/11/14/the_youtube_presidency.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112221551/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2008/11/14/the_youtube_presidency.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 12, 2012|title=The YouTube Presidency|date=November 14, 2008|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=January 26, 2009|author=Vargas, Jose Antonio}} The first address had been viewed by 600,000 YouTube viewers by the next afternoon.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/26/us/politics/26grassroots.html|title=Melding Obama's Web to a YouTube Presidency|date=January 25, 2009|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 26, 2009|author1=Rutenberg, Jim|author2=Adam Nagourney}} The policy is likened to Franklin Delano Roosevelt's fireside chats and George W. Bush's weekly radio addresses.

The first piece of legislation signed by Obama was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act on January 29, which promoted fair pay regardless of gender, race, or age. Lilly Ledbetter joined Obama and his wife, Michelle, as he signed the bill, fulfilling his campaign pledge to nullify Ledbetter v. Goodyear.{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog_post/a_wonderful_day/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130015647/http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog_post/a_wonderful_day/|archive-date=2009-01-30|title=A Wonderful Day|access-date=January 29, 2009|date=January 29, 2009|publisher=White House|url-status=dead|work=Whitehouse.gov}}

On February 18, 2009, Obama announced that the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan would be bolstered by 17,000 new troops by summer.{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25074581-2703,00.html |title=Obama launches Afghanistan surge |agency=The Australian |date=February 19, 2009 |first=Amanda |last=Hodge |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219134205/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25074581-2703,00.html |archive-date=February 19, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} {{link note|note=If you receive a 403 "forbidden" error using the previous link, try [https://web.archive.org/web/20110820122329/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/obama-launches-afghanistan-surge/story-e6frg6t6-1111118893671 this one] instead}} The announcement followed the recommendation of several experts including Defense Secretary Robert Gates that additional troops be deployed to the strife-torn South Asian country.{{cite news|title=Gates: More Troops For Afghanistan|agency=The New York Post|date=January 27, 2009|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/01272009/news/nationalnews/gates__more_troops_for_afghanistan_152275.htm}}

Nine days after his speech on Afghanistan, Obama addressed Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and outlined an exit strategy for the Iraq War. Obama promised to withdraw all combat troops from Iraq by August 31, 2010, and a "transitional force" of up to 50,000 counterterrorism, advisory, training, and support personnel by the end of 2011.{{cite news|agency=BBC News|date=February 27, 2009|title=Obama outlines Iraq pullout plan|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7914061.stm | access-date=January 4, 2010}}

On March 10, 2009, Barack Obama, in a meeting with the New Democrat Coalition, told them that he was a "New Democrat", "pro-growth Democrat", "supports free and fair trade", and "very concerned about a return to protectionism."[http://www.politico.com/story/2009/03/obama-i-am-a-new-democrat-019862#ixzz3o9jykSUe Obama: 'I am a New Democrat']

On April 5, 2009, Barack Obama promoted the goal of a nuclear-free world.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7983963.stm Obama promotes nuclear-free world] April 5, 2009

The stimulus package passed in the House of Representatives on January 28 without a single Republican vote. The Republicans developed opposition without developing consensus on an alternative plan.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/la-na-gop30-2009jan30,0,5939279.story?track=ntothtml|title=Republicans lack a party line on economy|access-date=February 4, 2009|date=January 30, 2009|work=Los Angeles Times|author1=Barabak, Mark Z. |author2=Janet Hook}} Conservatives who have been supportive of Obama have come out against the plan.{{cite web|url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/30/1773611.aspx|title=First 100 days: Selling the stimulus|access-date=February 4, 2009|date=January 30, 2009|publisher=MSNBC|author=Montanaro, Domenico|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202102406/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/30/1773611.aspx|archive-date=February 2, 2009|df=mdy-all}} The Wall Street Journal has questioned whether the $825 billion package is well designed.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123310466514522309|title=A 40-Year Wish List: You won't believe what's in that stimulus bill.|access-date=February 4, 2009|date=January 28, 2009|publisher=Dow Jones & Company, Inc.|work=The Wall Street Journal}} However, Duncan notes that one of the largest components, $140 billion earmarked for education, is well spent.{{cite news|url=http://breakingnews.nypost.com/dynamic/stories/E/EDUCATION_SECRETARY|title=Education chief: Schools crucial to recovery|access-date=February 4, 2009|date=January 29, 2009|publisher=NYP Holdings, Inc.|work=New York Post|author=Quaid, Libby}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=Balon Greyjoy |fix-attempted=yes }} Christopher Dodd is credited with inserting the last-minute pay limit into American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The pay restrictions included prohibition of bonuses in excess of one-third of total salary for any company receiving any money from the plan and was retroactive to companies that received funds under Troubled Assets Relief Program. The limit was a significant alteration of the administration's plan and caught Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and National Economic Council Chairman Lawrence Summers by surprise.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123457165806186405|work=The Wall Street Journal|publisher=Dow Jones & Company|date=February 14, 2009|page=A1|author1=Solomon, Deborah |author2=Mark Maremont|title=Bankers Face Strict New Pay Cap: Stimulus Bill Puts Retroactive Curb on Bailout Recipients; Wall Street Fumes}}

After Obama announced deadlines for the phased withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraq, Congress broadly endorsed the president's plan and agreed to legislate the stated timetables, though some in the Democratic Party balked at the 50,000-head figure for the transitional force and many in the Republican Party criticised the deadlines' rigidity. Arizona Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee in the 2008 election, voiced support for his former rival's plan.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=February 28, 2009|first=Anne|last=Flaherty|title=Consensus emerges in Congress for Obama Iraq plan'}}

On March 19, Obama became the first sitting president to appear on a late night talk show when he was a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090323040846/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h0FwbhZHHJzSLqvPQC_xR0yjC6SAD971UK1O2 The Associated Press: Maria Shriver: Obama Special Olympics 'joke' hurts] On April 2, Obama attended the G-20 London Summit. On April 17–19 he attended the 5th Summit of the Americas where he met Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, a longtime enemy of Washington, who shook his hand and gave him the book Las venas abiertas de América Latina (Open Veins of Latin America) of Eduardo Galeano while media was present.{{cite web |url=https://thestarphoenix.com/Obama+signals+foreign+policy+shift/1514224/story.html |title=Story |publisher=The StarPhoenix |access-date=August 10, 2010 |archive-date=April 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412011044/https://thestarphoenix.com/Obama+signals+foreign+policy+shift/1514224/story.html |url-status=dead }} On April 28, day 99 of Obama's presidency, Senator Arlen Specter (a former Democrat who switched to the Republican party in 1966) returned to the Democratic Party. Specter increased the Democratic senators to 59, one short of a filibuster-proof majority.{{cite web |title=Statement by Senator Arlen Specter |url=http://www.specter2010.com/news6.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501111007/http://www.specter2010.com/news6.html |archive-date=2009-05-01 |work=Specter 2010 Election website |publisher=Citizens for Arlen Specter |date=April 28, 2009 |access-date=April 28, 2009 }} At the conclusion of the first 100 days, over 100 federal judgeships remained vacant.{{cite news|title=DuSble Forum reflects on Obama's 100 days|author=Cholke, Sam|work=Hyde Park Herald|page=12}}

{{Portal|United States|Politics|2000s}}

• Presidential transition of Barack Obama

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/44.president/first.100.days/ First 100 days] at CNN.com
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090722210838/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/index.html First 100 days] at Fox News
• [https://www.cbsnews.com/sections/politics/100days/main503723.shtml First 100 days] at CBS News
• [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/100-days First 100 days] at The Huffington Post
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090228100112/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Barack-Obama-First-100-Days-In-Office-As-President/Interactive-Flash-Module/200901415208601 First 100 days] {{link note|note=Archive copy from the Wayback Machine}} at Sky News, UK
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/americas/2008/obama_presidency/default.stm First 100 days] at BBC News
• [http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090518/bestworst_video Best and Worst of Obama's First 100 Days] at The Nation

{{Barack Obama}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:First 100 Days Of Barack Obama's Presidency}}

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