Donald Trump begins first full day as leader of the free world

(Sky News)- Donald Trump will mark his first full day as President with a church service, and possibly a visit to the headquarters of the CIA. 

The new President mixed pageantry and celebrations with practical politics in the hours after being sworn into office.

Immediately after watching a parade outside the White House, photographers and cameramen were invited into the Oval Office to see him sign papers confirming his first cabinet appointments.

The pictures show that the President has kept his promise to return a bust of former British prime minister Winston Churchill to the Oval Office after Barack Obama moved it to make way for one of Martin Luther King. Mr Trump's staff have found room for both.

Later today, Mr and Mrs Trump will attend a national prayer service at Washington Cathedral.

A visit to CIA headquarters at Langley in Virginia is also thought to be on his schedule, but may be postponed because his nomination for CIA director, Mike Pompeo, has yet to be confirmed by the Senate - leaving the spy agency without a leader for the weekend.

The visit will receive even closer scrutiny than usual because of Mr Trump's disparaging comments about intelligence officials in relation to allegations that Russian hackers intervened in the election.

Mr Trump began his presidency by outlining a bleak image of America's current state, and promising to improve it by putting the country and its citizens first.

He told crowds: "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.

"We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs. Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength."

He was surrounded by former Presidents and congressional leaders, but castigated their record.

"For too long, a small group in our nation's capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered, but the jobs left and the factories closed."

His defeated Democratic rival Hillary Clinton listened impassively during the speech but applauded politely at the end.

Later, Mr Trump praised her for attending the inauguration ceremony despite their bitter election battle.

"I was very honoured - very, very honoured - when I heard that President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton was coming today. And honestly, there's nothing more I can say, because I have a lot of respect for those two people."

Demonstrators were kept away from the official events, but there were several skirmishes between protesters and police. Vehicles were damaged and set alight, and more than 200 people were arrested.

Mr Trump ended the day by attending three inaugural balls, dancing with First Lady Melania at each one.

To no one's surprise, the song he chose for his first dance as President of the United States was a cover of Frank Sinatra's My Way.