Re-took Presidential Oath of Office
Telephoned the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas - according to Abbas's spokesman, the call was Obama's first to a foreign leader.
Phoned the Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert.
Phoned King Abdullah of Jordan.
Phoned Egypt's president, Hosni Mubarak. The Middle Eastern calls, Obama's press spokesman said, were intended "to communicate his commitment to active engagement in pursuit of Arab-Israeli peace from the beginning of his term".
Signed Executive Order -- Presidential Records - limits powers of former presidents and vice-presidents to block the release of sensitive records from their time in the White House. It allows the administration to approve release of former vice-president Dick Cheney's records, among others, against his objections.
Signed Executive Order -- Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel - tightens rules on ex-lobbyists working in government.
President issued the following Memorandums:
Freedom of Information Act Memorandum ordering all agencies to adopt a presumption in favor of disclosure when public information requests are made. The memorandum also instructs the heads of executive departments and agencies to be pro-active in making information accessible to the public, rather than waiting for specific requests.
Pay Freeze Memorandum ordering that senior officials on the White House staff forgo pay increases until further notice.
Transparency and Open Government Memorandum ordering that the Chief Technology Officer, in coordination with the OMB Director submit reccommendations within 120 days for an Open Government Initiative, based on the principles that government should be transparent, participatory and collaborative.
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