Donald Trump begins repeal of Obamacare in first act as President

President Donald Trump has wasted no time in beginning work from the Oval Office, and has signed his first executive order aimed at “minimising the economic burden” of Obamacare. The order allows government agencies to delay the implementation of any parts of the Affordable Care Act - Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law - which could put a “fiscal burden” on families, states or healthcare providers. It is the first step in Mr Trump’s plans to “promptly repeal” and replace Obamacare, a key promise made during his election campaign, but Republicans in Congress are yet to propose a replacement for the insurance programme.

From this day forward, it is going to be only America first. America first. Every decision on trade, on taxes on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families.

Donald Trump

Moments after signing the executive order, the President’s new defence secretary and homeland security secretary were sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence.They are the first cabinet members to clear the hurdle of being approved by the Senate, which will begin confirming his other nominees on Monday. In a statement, the President said: “I call on members of the Senate to fulfill their constitutional obligations and swiftly confirm the remainder of my highly qualified cabinet nominees, so that we can get to work on behalf of the American people without delay.”