People gathered outside the White House to protest Trump

New US President Donald Trump has angered environmentalists and many citizens by approving executive orders paving the way for the construction of two controversial oil pipelines.

President Trump signs executive orders supporting two controversial oil pipelines. Photo: Reuters

Images showed a large crowd of environmental groups, non-profit organizations and people holding banners gathered outside the White House to protest Mr. Trump from 5 p.m.

They are also planning protests across the United States, including in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

Speaking at the White House this morning, Mr. Trump said he would reconsider the terms and duration of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access projects. He said the Keystone XL oil pipeline project would create "28,000 jobs."

"From now on, we will start building pipelines in America like we have done throughout history," he said.

A White House statement explained that the above orders are in line with Mr. Trump's commitment to "Buy American, hire American."

The Obama administration postponed the Keystone pipeline project to transport crude oil from Canada to Texas in late 2015. The US Army Corps of Engineers also decided last year to develop alternative routes to the Dakota pipeline in response to protests by thousands of indigenous people where the pipeline was supposed to pass.

The Dakota Access Pipeline project is more than 1,700 km long, worth 3.8 billion USD, can transport about 500,000 barrels of oil per day. However, people are concerned that the project will destroy some sacred land and endanger water resources.

Environmental groups have expressed outrage at Mr Trump's move.

"Instead of promoting bogus claims about the job-creating potential of oil pipelines, Mr. Trump should focus his efforts on the clean energy industry that will power America's future," said Annie Leonard, director of Greenpeace.

"Donald Trump has been in office for just four days and he is proving to be a dangerous threat to our environment," said Michael Brune, director of the nonprofit Sierra Club.

Meanwhile, Mr. Trump's decision received welcome from the US oil industry and Canada's Ministry of Natural Resources.

Mr. Trump, in a meeting with business leaders over the past two days at the White House, described himself as an environmentalist.

"I am a person who cares a lot about the environment. I have received many environmental awards," he said.

Protesters protest against Mr. Trump outside the White House. Photo: Twitter

According to VNE