The following is a timeline of the presidency of George W. Bush from his inauguration as the 43rd president of the United States on January 20, 2001, to December 31, 2001.
January
January 20 – George W. Bush's presidency begins with his inauguration at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.; the oath of office is administered by Chief Justice William Rehnquist. In his inaugural address, the president pledges to "work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity." He also declares, "The enemies of liberty and our country should make no mistake. America remains engaged in the world, by history and by choice, shaping a balance of power that favors freedom." January 22 – President Bush hosts the swearing in ceremony for new White House staff, saying in his remarks that they are all there for the same reason, which he defines as "making progress". Bush notes the prayer of John Adams as being inscribed in a mantle piece in the White House. January 22 – President Bush reinstates the ban on aid to international groups performing or counseling on abortion (initiated in the early 1980s by President Ronald Reagan, but lapsed during Bill Clinton's presidency). January 24 – President Bush meets with congressional leaders during his sixth meeting with legislators since taking office for discussions on a wide range of issues with the intent of surpassing expectations.Remarks Prior to a Meeting With Bipartisan Congressional Leaders and an Exchange With Reporters (January 24, 2001) January 24 – Roderick R. Paige is sworn in as the 7th United States Secretary of Education in the Barnard Auditorium at the Department of Education during the afternoon.Remarks at the Swearing-In Ceremony for Roderick R. Paige as Secretary of Education (January 24, 2001) January 26 – Donald Rumsfeld is sworn in as the 21st United States Secretary of Defense in the Oval Office during the afternoon.Remarks at the Swearing-In Ceremony for Donald H. Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense (January 26, 2001) January 29 – President Bush creates the Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives, which will work to ease regulations on religious charities and promote grass-roots efforts to tackle community issues such as aid to the poor and disadvantaged. January 29 – President Bush establishes the National Energy Policy Development Group—composed of Vice President Dick Cheney, nine cabinet-level officials, and four other senior administration officials—and charges it with the task of developing a long-range plan for the meeting the nation's energy requirements. January 31 – President Bush meets with Catholic Church leaders in the Indian Treaty Room at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building during the afternoon.Remarks in a Meeting With Catholic Charities Leaders (January 31, 2001)
February February 1 – President Bush announces a $1.025 billion, five-year plan to assist disabled persons in gaining greater independence while seated at a wheelchair-accessible podium and surrounded by an audience of persons with disabilities and their supporters. February 4 – President Bush has a meeting with Congressional Democrats during their annual retreat, later telling reporters, "These are professionals who want to serve their nation." February 5 – President Bush appears at the White House with four families he describes as potential beneficiaries for his new tax rate system, as he launches a week of lobbying for his tax cut proposal. February 6 – President Bush makes several public appearances in support of a tax relief within Washington and northern Virginia. He also acknowledges former President Ronald Reagan's 90th birthday with a public statement praising him. February 7 – A man later identified as Robert Pickett fires gunshots at the White House in an attempt to assassinate President Bush, who was in the building at the time. Bush was not harmed in the incident. February 8 – President Bush conveys the blueprint for his $1.6 trillion, 10-year tax cut proposal to Congress. February 13 – President Bush telephones Prime Minister of Japan Yoshiro Mori to apologize for the unintended sinking by a U.S. nuclear submarine of a Japanese fishing ship with high school students aboard after a four-day search. February 16 – President Bush makes the first international trip of his presidency, travelling to San Cristóbal, Guanajuato, Mexico, where he discusses trade, energy, migration, educational opportunities, and the battle against the illegal drug trade with President Vicente Fox. February 16 – American and British military aircraft attack targets in southern Iraq, including command centers, radar and communications centers, to enforce the Iraqi no-fly zones.
February 20 – After the indictment of Robert Philip Hanssen for allegedly passing classified documents to Russia, President Bush reads a statement to reporters traveling with him on Air Force One, referencing the event with the line that it was "a difficult day for those who love our country." February 21 – President Bush reports the budget for the following year will include federal support of another $1.6 billion for both primary and secondary education programs. February 22 – During a press conference, President Bush states his intent to return money to the taxpayers after completion of funding priorities and paying a portion of the national debt. He also declines to answer questions pertaining to former President Clinton's controversial pardons, saying, "it's time to go forward." February 24 – President Bush promises funding for the most essential national priorities that still restrain spending during his weekly radio address. February 26 – President Bush hosts a session of the National Governors Association annual winter meeting. During his prepared public remarks prior to the closed-door discussion, the president envisions that, "When the history of this administration is written, it will be said the nation's governors had a faithful friend in the White House." He also announces his "new federalism" initiative. February 27 – President Bush delivers an address before a joint session of the members of Congress outlining his administration goals.Address Before a Joint Session of Congress on Administration Goals (February 27, 2001) February 28 – Vice President Cheney says the president's budget plan leaves room for more in the budget post the tax cut, dismissing claims of otherwise as "wrong, factually untrue" while speaking to manufacturing executives.
March March 6 – President Bush addresses questions from reporters on the subjects of his Chicago visit, tax relief legislation, and Vice President Cheney in the Executive Conference Room at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.Exchange With Reporters Following a Meeting With Mayor Richard M. Daley in Chicago, Illinois (March 6, 2001) March 6 – President Bush delivers an afternoon address to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange in Chicago, Illinois reflecting on his activities since arriving in the city and promoting the benefits of his tax relief plan.Remarks at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange in Chicago (March 6, 2001) March 6 – President Bush issues a message on the observance of Eid al-Adha, saying in part that those celebrating the holiday will "honor the great sacrifice and devotion of Abraham as recognized by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. By educating others about your religious traditions, you enrich the lives of others in your local communities."Message on the Observance of Eid al-Adha (March 6, 2001) March 6 – In a letter to congressional leaders, President Bush submits a report "on progress toward a negotiated settlement of the Cyprus question covering the period December 1, 2000-January 31, 2001."Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Cyprus (March 6, 2001) March 6 – President Bush transmits a semiannual report detailing the payments by American persons to Cuba due to the provision of telecommunications services pursuant to Department of the Treasury specific licenses to Congress in a message.Message to the Congress Transmitting a Report on Telecommunications Payments to Cuba (March 6, 2001) March 6 – President Bush states his intent to nominate John D. Negroponte for US Ambassador to the United Nations. March 7 – President Bush meets with President of South Korea Kim Dae-jung where the president asserts he views North Korea as a threat. March 8 – The House of Representatives passes the cornerstone of President Bush's tax-relief plan, which the president calls a "victory" for American families, people and entrepreneurs. March 12 – President Bush speaks at a Panama City, Florida Youth Activities Center, saying his administration wants to make sure service members are housed properly during their service and claims to have enough money to accomplish this goal.President Speaks at Youth Activities Center (March 12, 2001) Bush also announces his plans for the nomination of Paula J. Dobriansky as Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs and Dale Cabaniss for Chairman of the Federal Labor Relations Authority.President Bush to Nominate Dobriansky as Under Secretary of State and Cabaniss as Chairman of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (March 12, 2001) March 13 – President Bush signs a bill designating a newly built courthouse in Boston, Massachusetts as the "John Joseph Moakley Federal Courthouse" in honor of retiring congressman Joe Moakley. Bush meets with Congress, reversing a campaign pledge to impose mandatory emission reductions on carbon dioxide on US power plants. March 15 – President Bush sends a letter to Capitol Hill outlining his views on campaign reform in hopes of reaching an agreement. March 16 – Officials at the Pentagon announce that the Bush administration will let a March 16 deadline for notifying Congress of any intent to begin building a radar facility on Alaska's Shemya Island pass, as it continues to examine its options with regard to national missile defense. March 20 – President Bush meets with Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon, their first meeting since both took office. March 27 – Speaking in Kalamazoo, Michigan, President Bush takes issue with a Democratic proposal in Congress for an immediate tax rebate, stating that the American economy needing more than a one-time tax cut. March 29 – The Bush administration announces its decision to abandon ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty signed by 180 countries to reduce global warming that set limits on industrial emissions.
April April 1 – A U.S. spy plane flying over the South China Sea is forced to make an emergency landing on Chinese soil after being clipped by a Chinese fighter jet. April 3 – Outside the White House, President Bush stresses his administration has tried to prevent the US spy plane-Chinese jet collision from being "an international incident." April 4 – The Miami Herald and USA Today release an in-depth review of the 2000 presidential election Florida. The review shows that even if Democratic candidate Al Gore had succeeded in getting the recounts he wanted, President Bush would have won Florida by 1,665 votes. April 6 – President Bush reports the China-detained US service members as being "just fine" during a Virginia meeting with business leaders. President Bush receives a letter from the wife of the Chinese pilot who criticizes him for not apologizing for the collision. April 8 – President Bush sends a somber letter to the wife of the Chinese pilot. April 9 – President Bush's proposed 2002 federal budget is submitted to Congress. April 12 – President Bush announces a hardened stance by American representatives while talking with Chinese officials in regards to the US and Chinese aircraft collision. April 16 – President Bush gives a speech to the United States Chamber of Commerce, calling it "tax day."