In one of final acts, Trump revokes no-lobbying rule for advisers

Jan. 20 (UPI) -- In one of his final acts as commander in chief, President Donald Trump revoked one of the first orders he signed when he entered the office four years ago, the White House said Wednesday.

During his first week on the job in January 2017, Trump signed the "Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Appointees," order. The rule required that his appointees promise not to engage in lobbying activities with respect to their official capacities.

The rule applied to all staffers and lasted for five years after they leave the White House. It included a lifetime ban against lobbying for any foreign government.

Wednesday, Trump revoked the rule, which now allows White House advisers to begin lobbying immediately after they leave government.

"Employees and former employees subject to the commitments in Executive Order 13770 will not be subject to those commitments after noon January 20, 2021," the order states.

Trump signed the order on Tuesday.

Former President Bill Clinton revoked a similar order in the final days of his presidency.

President-elect Joe Biden is expected to sign a number of orders when he takes office on Wednesday to address priorities including COVID-19, the economy, climate change and immigration.

Biden is also expected to order that executive branch appointees sign an ethics pledge, barring them from acting in a personal interest and requiring them to uphold the independence of the Justice Department.

Inauguration Day for Joe Biden, Kamala Harris

Chief Justice John Roberts (R) administers the oath of office to Joe Biden as his wife, Jill Biden, holds the Bible on Wednesday afternoon. Pool Photo by Andrew Harnik/UPI | License Photo

Vice President Kamala Harris is sworn in as her husband, Doug Emhoff, holds two Bibles -- one from Harris' family, the other used by Thurgood Marshall, the first Black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. Pool Photo by Andrew Harnik/UPI | License Photo

President Joe Biden gives his inaugural address, calling for unity. Pool Photo by Patrick SemanskyUPI | License Photo

Biden signs executive orders during his first minutes in the Oval Office on Wednesday. Pool photo by Doug Mills/UPI | License Photo

The Bidens hug as they arrive at the North Portico of the White House. Pool Photo by Alex Brandon/UPI | License Photo

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hug as they arrive at the North Portico of the White House after the inauguration of President Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States in Washington, DC on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Pool Photo by Alex Brandon/UPI | License Photo

Harris arrives at her office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to the White House. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Fireworks explode over the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool during a "Celebrating America" inaugural program. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

The Bidens received a Presidential Escort to the White House after the inauguration. Pool Photo by Doug Mills/UPI | License Photo

A member of the Howard University Showtime Marching Band prepares to escort alumni Vice President Kamala Harris to the White House during the inaugural parade. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Harris (L) holds hands with her grand-niece Amala Ajagu as she and her family walk down Pennsylvania Avenue. Ajagu is wearing a coat to look like a picture of Harris as a child. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

The new car of vice president is parked at the U.S. Capitol following the inauguration. Pool Photo by Rod Lamkey/UPI | License Photo

Biden signs three documents including an inauguration declaration, cabinet nominations and sub-cabinet nominations. Pool Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI | License Photo

The Bidens attend the presentation of gifts ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda. Pool Photo by Win McNamee/UPI | License Photo

Biden and Harris stand with their spouses on the east steps of the U.S. Capitol. Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo

Harris (L) and Emhoff wave on the steps of the U.S. Capitol as former Vice President Mike Pence and wife Karen Pence depart. Pool Photo by Melina Mara/UPI | License Photo

Harris (L) and Emhoff wave on the steps of the U.S. Capitol as former Vice President Mike Pence and wife Karen Pence depart. Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo

Biden leave after his inauguration, heading to the White House. Pool Photo by Jonathan Ernst/UPI | License Photo

Biden waves after being sworn in. Pool Photo by Jonathan Ernst/UPI | License Photo

Former President Barack Obama (R), hugs Biden, his former vice president. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris greets former U.S. President Barack Obama. Pool photo by Jonathan Ernst/UPI | License Photo

Harris greets former first lady Michelle Obama as they arrive. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo

Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., and Biden's nominee for secretary of the interior wears a protective mask while attending inauguration. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Rev. Silvester Beaman gives the benediction. Pool photo by Patrick Semansky/UPI | License Photo

National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman reads a poem during the inauguration ceremony while wearing a ring on her right finger symbolizing a caged bird, an homage to poet laureate Maya Angelou who also read a poem during President Bill Clinton's inauguration. Pool Photo by Patrick Semansky/UPI | License Photo

Country music star Garth Brooks performs "Amazing Grace." Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo

Members of the Minnesota National Guard listen as Biden speaks to the nation after he took the oath of office. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo

Biden smiles after speaking. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Biden called on Americans to unite to overcome the nation's political discord, the ongoing pandemic that has killed some 400,000 people nationwide, racial injustice and climate change. Pool Photo by Win McNamee/UPI | License Photo

Attendees sit socially distanced on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Biden (L) hugs his wife, Jill, after being sworn in. Pool Photo by Saul Loeb/UPI | License Photo

National Mall staff and crew watch on an iPad as Biden speaks, Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo

Biden takes the oath: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo

Biden is sworn in. Pool photo by Andrew Harnik/UPI | License Photo

Harris (L) celebrates with Biden after he is sworn in. Pool Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo

Harris (L) reacts after being sworn in as Biden celebrates. Pool Photo by Jonathan Ernst/UPI | License Photo

A couple embraces at Black Lives Matter Plaza following the inauguration. Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI | License Photo

Members of the Minnesota National Guard watch and listen on an iPhone to Biden. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo

Jennifer Lopez performs "This Land is Our Land" and "America the Beautiful" at the inauguration ceremony. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Lopez (R) arrives for her performance. Pool Photo by Jonathan Ernst/UPI | License Photo

Lady Gaga sings the national anthem while wearing a dove brooch, a symbol of peace. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo

Biden (R) greets Lady Gaga. Pool Photo by Susan Walsh/UPI | License Photo

Invited guests are seated far apart amid COVID-19 precautions. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

The Bidens arrive at the Capitol for the ceremony. Pool Photo by Patrick Semansky/UPI | License Photo

Joe Biden (L) is greeted by former President Barack Obama. Pool Photo by Patrick Semansky/UPI | License Photo

Jill Biden wore cean blue tweed dress and coat from American designer Alexandra O'Neill of Markarian to the inauguration ceremony. The label said the color signifies "trust, confidence and stability." Pool Photo by Win McNamee/UPI | License Photo

The Bidens arrive for the inauguration ceremony. Pool Photo byChang W. Lee/UPI | License Photo

Harris (R) applauds as Joe Biden arrives at the U.S. Capitol. Pool Photo by Andrew Harnik/UPI | License Photo

Harris (L) and Emhoff arrive at the U.S. Capitol platform for the inauguration ceremony. Pool Photo Chang W. Lee/UPI | License Photo

From left, former President George W. Bush, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama arrive at the inauguration. Pool photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo

Outgoing Vice President Mike Pence (L) and his wife, Karen Pence, arrive at the U.S. Capitol for the inauguration. Pool Photo Patrick Semansky/UPI | License Photo

The Obamas attend the inauguration. Pool Photo by Jonathan Ernst/UPI | License Photo

Former President Bill Clinton gives a thumbs-up at the inauguration. Pool Photo by Jonathan Ernst/UPI | License Photo

The Bidens arrive at the U.S. Capitol for his inauguration ceremony on Wednesday morning. Pool Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI | License Photo

From left to right, Emhoff, Harris, Jill Biden and Joe Biden arrive for the inauguration. Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo

The view of the U.S. Capitol prior to the ceremony. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo

The Bush's attend the inauguration. Pool Photo by Saul Loeb/UPI | License Photo

A worker wears a protective mask while cleaning protective glass for the presidential inauguration on Wednesday morning. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

A security perimeter surrounds Pennsylvania Avenue. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Conservative protestors protest during the inauguration. Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI | License Photo

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (R) and her husband, Paul, stand before President-elect Joe Biden arrives at the East Front of the U.S. Capitol. Pool Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo | License Photo

Former President Bill Clinton (L) and his wife former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrive to the ceremony. Pool Photo by Patrick Semansky/UPI | License Photo

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., arrives arrives before the inauguration. Pool Photo Saul Loeb/UPI | License Photo

Niece to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Meena Harris (L) takes a selfie with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (R), D-Mass., and her husband. Pool Photo Saul Loeb/UPI | License Photo

Pete Buttigieg (R), former mayor of South Bend, right, wears a protective mask with his husband, Chasten Buttigieg. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., arrives arrives before the inauguration. Pool Photo Win McNamee/UPI | License Photo

Jerome Powell (C), chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, wears a protective mask before inauguration. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

An architect of the Capitol hangs a presidential seal as preparations are made prior to the inauguration. Pool Photo by Caroline Brehman/UPI | License Photo

Preparations continue on the west side of the U.S. Capitol before President-elect Joe Biden takes the oath of office as the 46th president of the United States in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Workers prepare the flag shown on the National Mall prior to the inauguration ceremony. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo

Marine One carrying outgoing President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump flies past the Washington Monument as they depart the White House ahead of the inauguration. Pool Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo

Donald Trump waves as he boards Marine One for the final time as president on the South Lawn of the White House. Pool Photo by Al Drago/UPI | License Photo

The Trumps exit the White House before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn. Trump departs Washington under impeachment for the second time in his four-year term. Pool Photo by Al Drago/UPI | License Photo

A view of the U.S. Capitol from the National Mall as thousands of flags represent people unable to attend the inauguration because of COVID-19 precautions. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo

Members of the military arrive for the inauguration. Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo

National Guardsman get into position outside of the U.S. Capitol prior to the inauguration of Joe Biden. Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI | License Photo

National Guardsman and Law Enforcement watch as Donald Trump circles the Capitol Building one last time while onboard Marine One. Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI | License Photo

In his first day in office, Biden plans to revoke multiple Trump policies. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo