Getting Started, Part 2

Before the swearing in of his White House staff earlier today, President Obama...

Issued a pay freeze for all White House staff members who make more than $100,000 a year;

Signed an executive order banning all White House staffers from trying to influence the administration when they leave his staff. Those already hired will be banned from working on matters they have previously lobbied on, or to approach agencies that they once targeted. The President's order also bans lobbyists from giving gifts of any size to any member of his administration;

And announced new Executive Branch rules restricting how the White House withholds information from the American people. The Prez:

Information will not be withheld just because I say so. It will be withheld because a separate authority believes my request is well grounded in the Constitution. Let me say it as simply as I can, transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency.