WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump instituted a government-wide hiring freeze Monday, signing a presidential memorandum that would affect a large swath of the government but leave wide latitude for exemptions for those working in the military, national security and public safety.

The move – coming on the new president’s first full working day in the White House – represents the opening salvo in what could be the most concerted effort to overhaul the federal workforce in 35 years.

Critiquing the Washington establishment was central to Trump’s campaign, and he placed federal employees at the center of his effort to "clean up corruption and special interest in Washington D.C."

Trump’s memorandum states that "no vacant positions existing at noon on January 22, 2017, may be filled and no new positions may be created, except in limited circumstances," although the freeze does not apply to military personnel.

Ban reinstated on foreign abortions

A rule is back in effect to block U.S. international family-planning assistance to foreign organizations that use funds from other sources to perform or discuss abortions.

President Donald Trump, in reinstating a rule first instituted by President Ronald Reagan, gave foreign nonprofits a stark choice: Stop providing abortions, or any information about abortions, or lose valuable dollars from the United States, the biggest global funder of family-planning services.

Since its inception in 1984, the funding ban has been repealed and reinstated every time a different political party has assumed power in the White House.

Press chief holds 1st full briefing

White House press secretary Sean Spicer told a roomful of reporters that "our intention is never to lie to you," although sometimes the Trump administration may "disagree with the facts."

Spicer’s first full press briefing was closely watched Monday after a weekend statement about President Donald Trump’s inauguration audience that included incorrect assertions. After White House counselor Kellyanne Conway received wide social media attention for her explanation that Spicer had presented "alternative facts," Monday’s briefing was televised live on CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC and, for a time, even ABC.

Meanwhile, ABC announced that anchor David Muir would interview Trump for a one-hour prime-time special to air at 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Spicer tried to defuse tension by opening with a self-deprecating joke about his lack of popularity, and his 78-minute session was wide-ranging and mostly substantive. He corrected one disputed statement from Saturday, defended another and expressed some frustration regarding how the new Trump administration feels about its news coverage.

‘SNL’ writer gets suspended

A "Saturday Night Live" writer has been suspended indefinitely after tweeting a poorly received joke about President Donald Trump’s 10-year-old son, Barron.

A person familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly told The Associated Press that Katie Rich was suspended immediately after writing an offensive tweet about the child. An outcry on social media followed, with many calling for a boycott of the TV show.

Rich later deleted the tweet, deactivated her account but then reactivated it Monday, saying she wanted to "sincerely apologize" for the "insensitive" tweet and "deeply regret" her actions.

Former president moved out of ICU

Former President George H.W. Bush is still suffering from pneumonia, but is well enough to leave the intensive care unit at a Houston hospital, doctors said Monday. His wife, Barbara, has been discharged from the same facility after completing treatment for bronchitis.

The 92-year-old former president was struggling to breathe when he was admitted to the Houston Methodist Hospital Jan. 14. Last week, he was breathing with the aid of a ventilator in the ICU, but doctors removed the breathing tube on Friday and by Monday were talking about the possibility that he could return home soon.

Dr. Amy Mynderse said at a news conference that the former president is "sitting up, watching TV and is waiting anxiously for his favorite oyster stew for lunch."

Governor faints during speech

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton collapsed while delivering his State of the State speech on Monday, striking his head on a lectern.

The 69-year-old Democrat appeared to be conscious as he was helped into a back room several minutes later, and a top staffer said he walked out of the Capitol on his own and was spending time with his son and grandson after a routine check by emergency medical technicians at his home.

Dayton’s chief of staff Jaime Tincher said Dayton quickly recovered after fainting roughly 40 minutes into his annual address.