Obama's first day: Gitmo, Gaza, ethics

"During this period of economic emergency, families are tightening their belts, and so should Washington," Obama told senior staff. He also signed a ban on gifts by lobbyists to anyone serving in his administration and barred the staffers from becoming lobbyists for two years after leaving his administration.

An estimated 245 men are being held at the U.S. naval base in Cuba. Most have been detained for years without being charged with a crime. The administration has received permission to suspend the trials at Guantanamo for 120 days pending a review of the military tribunals.

"He used this opportunity on his first day in office to communicate his commitment to active engagement in pursuit of Arab-Israeli peace from the beginning of his term, and to express his hope for their continued cooperation and leadership," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said.

"In the aftermath of the Gaza conflict, he emphasized his determination to work to help consolidate the cease-fire by establishing an effective anti-smuggling regime to prevent Hamas from re-arming, and facilitating in partnership with the Palestinian Authority a major reconstruction effort for Palestinians in Gaza."

As a candidate, Obama vowed to withdraw U.S. combat forces from Iraq within 16 months and beef up the commitment in Afghanistan.

Coinciding with the blizzard of activity at the White House, which included a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, the Senate confirmed Hillary Clinton as secretary of state. Counting Clinton, seven Cabinet members have been confirmed, as have the two top officials at the Office of Management and Budget.

But in a signal of bumpy moments ahead for the president with the Congress, House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey questioned whether the $825 billion stimulus proposal requested by Obama was enough.

Republican leaders -- including Michigan's Dave Camp of Midland, who is the ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee -- asked to meet with the president to complain that it is too expensive.

Stephen Hess, a presidential expert at the Brookings Institution, said Obama's first full day was unusually brisk for a new president.

"Typically, the first day of presidents is more like the first day of school -- a day of settling in," Hess said.

"It's clear that he wishes to send the message that this is going to be a fast-moving, exciting and important administration. It's an important message for a nation that is feeling pretty shaky."

Aside from the brisk workload, there were light moments, too, as Obama adjusted to his new role. When aides rose as Obama walked into a room, the new president confided, "I'm still getting used to that whole thing."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. You can reach Deb Price at dprice@detnews.com">dprice@detnews.com or (202) 662-8736.