Trump issues pardons for Jan. 6 rioters and signs more executive actions

Trump’s swearing-in ceremony, moved indoors due to intense cold, began at noon ET. But festivities started earlier when the incoming president arrived for a service at St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Here’s the latest (all times are Eastern):

‘Thanks America,’ DC officer says

10:05 p.m.: Metropolitan police officer Daniel Hodges, who was nearly crushed in a doorway while defending the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, posted a message on social media that he learned about Trump’s mass pardons of rioters after working all day to ensure that Monday’s inauguration was “secure and peaceful.”

“Thanks America,” he wrote.

Trump signs memorandum allowing security clearances for some aides

Trump signed an memorandum allowing his White House counsel to grant interim six-month security clearances — including access to the highest levels of government information — to some aides whose federal background checks are pending.

Trump delayed in signing an agreement with the outgoing Biden administration last year that would have enabled the FBI to begin processing those clearances faster. Trump’s memo directs that they be granted access to federal property, technology and information immediately.

Trump raises possibility of invoking wartime power act to deport gang members

Trump is raising the possibility of invoking a wartime power act for the first time since World War II to deport gang members who are deemed members of a foreign terrorist organization.

He is directing the Homeland Security and Justice departments to prepare for him to use the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which allows the president to detain or deport any noncitizen from a country considered an enemy of the U.S.

The law has been invoked only three times: during the War of 1812, World War I and World War II. It was last was used to detain Japanese citizens following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.

Trump’s executive order paves the way for criminal organizations such as Tren de Aragua or MS-13 to be named “foreign terrorist organizations.”

“The Cartels functionally control, through a campaign of assassination, terror, rape, and brute force nearly all illegal traffic across the southern border of the United States,” the order reads.

Trump signs order halting offshore wind expansion

Trump signed an executive order halting offshore wind lease sales and pausing the issuance of approvals, permits and loans for onshore and offshore wind projects.

Trump’s order says the interior secretary will review federal wind leasing and permitting practices. The assessment will consider the environmental impact of onshore and offshore wind projects, the economic costs associated with the intermittent generation of electricity and the effect of subsidies on the viability of the wind industry, the order states.

Trump wants to increase drilling for oil and gas and has been hostile to renewable energy, particularly offshore wind.

Taiwanese president congratulates Trump and Vance

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te congratulated Trump and Vance on their inauguration in a message on the social platform X.

“Taiwan looks forward to working with your administration to promote enduring freedom, peace & prosperity around the world,” the statement read. “We wish you great success in the years ahead.”

The U.S. is Taiwan’s largest unofficial backer and arms provider. The government in Taipei hopes the Trump administration will continue to offer its support in the face of annexation threats from China, which considers the self-ruled island its own territory and threatens to take it over, by force if necessary.

Trump directs attorney general to help states get lethal injection drugs

Trump has signed a sweeping execution order on the death penalty, directing the attorney general to “take all necessary and lawful action” to ensure that states have enough lethal injection drugs to carry out executions.

Trump wrote that “politicians and judges who oppose capital punishment have defied and subverted the laws of our country.”

A moratorium on federal executions had been in place since 2021, and only three defendants remain on federal death row after Biden converted 37 of their sentences to life in prison.

Trump is not confident ceasefire in Gaza will hold

Trump said Hamas is weakened, but he’s hardly certain that the temporary truce between Israel and Hamas will hold.

“I’m not confident,” Trump told reporters. “That’s not our war. It’s their war.”

He said his administration “might” help rebuild Gaza, which he compared to a “massive demolition site.”

“Some beautiful things could be done with it,” said Trump, the real estate developer turned commander in chief, noting the territory’s coastline and “phenomenal” weather and location. “Some fantastic things could be done with Gaza. Some beautiful things could be done with Gaza.”

Trump suspends US foreign assistance for 90 days pending reviews

Trump has signed an executive order temporarily suspending all U.S. foreign assistance programs for 90 days pending reviews to determine whether they are aligned with his policy goals.

It was not immediately clear how much assistance would be initially affected by the order. Funding for many programs has already been appropriated by Congress and obligated to be spent, if not already spent.

Republicans want local police to cooperate with immigration authorities

The majority of U.S. adults think local police in their community should cooperate with federal immigration authorities to deport people who are in the country illegally at least some of the time, according to a January AP-NORC poll. Americans are more likely to say cooperation should happen in some cases but not others than they are to support cooperation across the board.

About 4 in 10 Americans say local police “should always cooperate,” and about half say they “should cooperate in some cases.” Only about 1 in 10 say the local police in their community should never cooperate in these circumstances.

Republicans are especially likely to want cooperation all of the time. About two-thirds of Republicans say local police should always cooperate. Only about one-third of independents and one-quarter of Democrats agree.

Trump immigration order restores 2017 deportation criteria

One of Trump’s more impactful orders on immigration simply restores what was in place when he took office in 2017.

Trump wants to end federal grants to “sanctuary” jurisdictions, or state and local governments that limit cooperation with immigration authorities. The White House maintains that sanctuaries are breaking a law that forbids interfering with federal law enforcement officers.

He also wants negotiations with state and local governments to deputize local police to enforce immigration laws, known as 287(g) agreements after a section of a 1996 immigration law.

The order restores deportation criteria to pursue everyone in the country illegally, not just those with serious criminal records, those deemed national security or public safety threats, and those who recently crossed the border.

Congressional Republican leaders are heading to the White House

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune are tentatively heading to the White House on Tuesday to meet with Trump.

That’s according to a person familiar with the plans who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss them. The plans were first reported by Axios.

It’s not clear if other Republican leaders are joining for what is expected to be an afternoon meeting.

‘No legitimate rationale’ to cut federal workforce, union head says

The president of a government employees labor union says there’s “no legitimate rationale” to cut the size of the federal workforce.

Everett Kelley spoke out Monday in response to Trump’s executive order freezing government hiring.

“Make no mistake – this action is not about making the federal government run more efficiently but rather is about sowing chaos and targeting a group of patriotic Americans that President Trump openly calls crooked and dishonest,” said Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees labor union.

AFGE is the largest federal workers union, representing 800,000 federal and D.C. government workers.

Pelosi calls pardons for Jan. 6 defendants ‘shameful’

House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said Trump’s actions to pardon and commute sentences of those convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capito; attack are “shameful.”

“The President’s actions are an outrageous insult to our justice system and the heroes who suffered physical scars and emotional trauma as they protected the Capitol, the Congress and the Constitution,” Pelosi said in a statement. “It is shameful that the President has decided to make one of his top priorities the abandonment and betrayal of police officers who put their lives on the line to stop an attempt to subvert the peaceful transfer of power.”

She said that despite Trump’s decision, the country must remember the “extraordinary courage and valor of the law enforcement heroes who stood in the breach and ensured that democracy survived on that dark day.”

Trump praises Bill Clinton’s ‘great political sense’

As he sat down to sign executive orders, Trump was asked which former president he would call for advice.

He responded that Bill Clinton was a “very interesting politician” and said he had a “great political sense.”

Trump said Clinton was “disrespected” and “not used properly.”

Trump was also asked about his friendly chat with former President Barack Obama during former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral.

“We were having some crazy conversations,” he said.

Trump moves to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization — again

Trump has signed an executive order beginning the process of withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization.

It was the second time in less than five years that he’s ordered the country to withdraw from the organization, despite it being a move many scientists fear could roll back decadeslong gains made in fighting infectious diseases like AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

Experts also warn it could weaken the world’s defenses against dangerous new outbreaks capable of triggering pandemics.

Trump vs. Biden

The contrast couldn’t be more dramatic.

Trump is continuing to riff and answer questions from reporters in the Oval Office as he signs another round of executive action.

He’s been joking and opining on everything from foreign policy to drones to the way he’s redecorated the ornate room and seems at ease and supremely confident.

Biden was known to rarely engage with reporters at length.

Trump says he’ll talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin soon

7:55 p.m.: “Most people thought that war would have been over in one week,” Trump said of Russia’s nearly three-year war on Ukraine. He added, “I think he’d be very well off to end that war.”

Trump said that he thinks Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to make a deal to end a conflict.

Trump says the US should own half of TikTok

Trump says the United States as a country should own half of TikTok, which he estimated could be worth $1 trillion.

“I think the US should be entitled to get half of TikTok and, congratulations, TikTok has a good partner and that would be worth, you know, could be $500 billion,” Trump says.

The president was speaking about the social media platform with a China-based owner as he was signing an order to keep TikTok open so that it can find a potential buyer and avoid being shut down on national security grounds.

Trump calls birthright citizenship ‘ridiculous’ as he tries to end it

Trump says he favors legal immigration as he signed orders declaring a national emergency on the U.S. border with Mexico, suspending refugee resettlement and ending automatic citizenship for anyone born in the United States.

Trump acknowledged an imminent legal challenge to overturning birthright citizenship, which has been enshrined in the U.S. Constitution since 1868. He said automatic citizenship was “just ridiculous” and that he believes he was on “good (legal) ground” to change it.

“That’s a big one,” he bantered with reporters while signing an order declaring the border emergency.

Trump said immigrant labor was needed for investment that he anticipates will accompany higher tariffs.

“I’m fine with legal immigration. I like it, we need people,” he said.

Trump executive order keeps TikTok online for now

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday to keep TikTok operating for 90 days, a relief to the social media platform’s users even as national security questions persist.

TikTok’s China-based parent was supposed to find a U.S. buyer or be banned on the previous Sunday. Trump’s order would give them more time to find a buyer.

“I guess I have a warm spot for TikTok,” Trump says.

Former President Joe Biden declined to enforce the bipartisan measure that he signed into law, while Trump has pledged to keep TikTok open after crediting it for helping his 2024 election victory. Trump’s legal authority to preserve TikTok is unclear under the terms of the law recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Lawyer calls commutation for Proud Boys client ‘wonderful’

Norm Pattis, an attorney for former Proud Boys organizer Joseph Biggs, said it was “wonderful” to learn that Trump commuted his client’s 17-year prison sentence for seditious conspiracy.

“It gets him out of prison,” Pattis told The Associated Press. “He had 13, 14 more years to go, and there’s no place like home.”

Trump says tariffs on neighbors could come next month

Trump says he could place 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting on Feb. 1. He declined to give a date on China tariffs.

Trump has talked extensively about his tariff plans and his affection for the levies on imported goods during multiple public remarks Monday.

No West Wing office for Musk

Trump says Elon Musk won’t get a desk in the West Wing.

The president made the comment while signing executive orders in the Oval Office.

Trump has named Musk, the Tesla and X CEO, as head of the Department of Government Efficiency.

Trump issues sweeping pardon for Jan. 6 rioters

7:55 p.m.: Trump issued pardons for participants in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, one of his first acts after being sworn in as the country’s 47th president on Monday.

The pardons fulfill Trump’s promise to release supporters who tried to help him overturn his election defeat four years ago.

“These are the hostages,” he said while signing the paperwork in the Oval Office.

Trump said he was pardoning about 1,500 defendants and issuing six commutations.

Trump is using the first appearance of his second term in the Oval Office to sign another series of executive actions. Here are some of the key things he’s signed:

• pardons and commutations that Trump said would cover about 1,500 people criminally charged in the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021;
• overhauling the refugee admission program to better align with American principles and interests;
• declaring a “national emergency” at the U.S.-Mexico border;
• designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

After hours spent celebrating his new administration, Trump was making his first Oval Office appearance.

Trump has pledged to sign a series of executive actions from behind the oval-shaped room’s famous Resolute Desk.

Those come after he signed an initial flurry at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, where thousands of his supporters gathered to celebrate an inaugural parade that was moved indoors due to the cold.

Trump finds letter from Biden while signing executive orders

Trump found a letter from Biden in the Oval Office’s Resolute desk, but only after a journalist reminded him to look for it.

While signing a series of executive orders, a journalist asked Trump if he’d received a letter. Trump said he didn’t know and checked the desk drawers, holding up the letter for the cameras.

“Maybe we should all read it together,” Trump said before setting it aside. He said he’ll read it himself before sharing it publicly.

The letter’s envelope has “47″ handwritten in what looks like pencil and underlined.

Trump rescinds 2021 Title IX order

7:40 p.m.: Trump rescinded a 2021 order signaling the Education Department would use Title IX to protect against discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

The Biden administration later went further to cement that interpretation into federal regulation, but it was overturned after Republican-led states challenged the rule in federal court.

Rescinding the 2021 order won’t have much effect on schools and colleges, but it clears the slate for other action by the Trump administration.

Trump also rescinded a COVID-19-era executive order directing federal officials to give schools guidance on reopening during the pandemic. That order, issued on Biden’s second day in office, also required the Education Department to explore the pandemic’s “disparate impacts” on students of color and students with disabilities.

Before order, Florida governor starts calling it ‘Gulf of America’

7:30 p.m.: Trump has not signed an executive order to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” but Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has begun calling it just that.

He declared a state of emergency due to winter weather expected along the Gulf Coast.

A closer look at Trump’s executive action freezing Biden’s action on Cuba

Trump has reversed an executive order issued by Biden that moved to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Biden formally notified Congress just last week of his decision to lift the designation as part of a deal facilitated by the Catholic Church to free political prisoners on the island.

The day after the announcement, Cuba began releasing people who were convicted of various crimes, including some who were arrested after taking part in the historic 2021 protests, according to Cuban civil groups following the cases of detainees on the island.

A closer look at Trump’s executive action freezing many new orders by Biden

Trump has issued an order freezing many new or pending federal regulations, effectively blocking last-minute protections issued by the Biden administration.

Such an order is fairly common when a new administration takes over, but it could be the first in a series of moves designed to tamp down what the new president and other top Republicans have consistently decried as “federal overreach.”

The move recalled the first day of Trump’s first administration in 2017. Then, he froze all pending federal regulations, effectively suspending Obama-era actions that were new or closer to implementation.

That “immediate regulatory freeze” did not apply to some regulations being implemented for emergency situations relating to health, safety, financial or national security. Implementation of the new administration’s order is likely to include similar language allowing for key exceptions

Trump returns to the White House

7:20 p.m.: Trump has officially returned to the White House as president once again.

He walked through the doors shortly after 7 p.m., joined by his wife, his son Barron and his father-in-law.

A closer look at Trump’s executive action ordering federal employees back to work 5 days a week

Among the executive orders Trump signed with a flourish in front of a cheering crowd was one mandating that federal workers return to their offices five days a week.

The move followed the new president’s pledge to end the work-from-home culture that became common during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last month, at a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, Trump said he planned to dismiss federal employees who don’t return to the office to comply with the order.

A closer look at Trump’s executive order on the federal hiring freeze

Trump has ordered a federal hiring freeze on his first day back in office, mirroring an action he took at the start of his first term to try to reduce the size of government.

The order suspends hiring for new positions and many open ones. It includes exceptions for posts related to national security and public safety, as well as the military.

During his campaign, Trump pledged to dismantle a federal bureaucracy that he derided as the “deep state.”

The order eight years ago was intended as a temporary, 90-day measure until federal budget officials, as well as those in charge of the government’s personnel office, could devise a longer-term strategy for reducing the size of the federal government — and it was effectively lifted that April.

How long the latest freeze may last is less clear. It is a drastic step away from the Biden administration, which took steps to increase the federal workforce and give pay raises to many in its ranks.

What Trump has signed orders on

1. Halting 78 Biden-era executive actions

2. A regulatory freeze preventing bureaucrats from issuing regulations until the Trump administration has full control of the government

3. A freeze on all federal hiring except for military and a few other essential areas

4. A requirement that federal workers return to full-time in-person work

5. A directive to every department and agency to address the cost of living crisis

6. Withdrawal from the Paris climate treaty

7. A government order restoring freedom of speech and preventing censorship of free speech

8. Ending “weaponization of government”

Trump promises to pardon ‘J6 hostages’

Trump announced he will pardon people charged in connection with the Jan. 6 riot, calling them “hostages” while flanked by the families of people taken hostage by Hamas as militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

The jarring juxtaposition came moments after Steve Witkoff, Trump’s appointee for special envoy for peach in the Middle East, introduced the relatives, some of whom are seeking the return of remains of their loves ones who were killed while held captive.

“Tonight I’m going to be signing on the J6 hostages, pardons, to get them out,” Trump said, using a shorthand for people charged with crimes for their alleged actions on Jan. 6, 2021. “And as soon as I leave I’m going to the Oval Office and we’ll be signing pardons for a lot of people. A lot of people.”

Trump went on to welcome home people who were released by Hamas as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel, which was finalized in the waning days of Biden’s administration.

Trump also talked about how the Israel-Hamas war wouldn’t have happened had he been in office instead of Biden. He appeared to mix up that conflict with Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“Three years. It’s ridiculous,” Trump said. The Israeli conflict occurred not even 18 months ago.

Parade honors rallygoer killed during Trump assassination attempt

5:55 p.m.: Emergency officials and first responders from a Pennsylvania county where Trump was nearly assassinated over the summer marched in the inaugural parade.

Butler County first responders presented the colors and marched in a large U around the arena. They carried the fire jacket of Corey Comperatore, a rallygoer who was shot and killed during the attempt on Trump’s life.

A moment of silence was held for Comperatore as well.

Trump arrives at Capitol One Arena for inaugural parade

5:40 p.m.: Trump entered the arena via stairs in the stands that had him walking past his supporters, who were close enough to touch him and pat him on the shoulder.

It was a marked contrast from the Republican National Convention, when Secret Service agents kept a wide aisle between Trump and Republican officials amid heightened security following his near-assassination.

The indoor parade — attended by regular supporters — serves as a visual contrast to the events at the Capitol, where Trump was surrounded by lawmakers and many of the country’s richest men.

Trump took a red, white and blue stage, placing a binder on a podium to raucous cheers from the crowd.

Trump then stood and smiled, pumping his fist as sustained cheers continued.

President of Mexico congratulates Trump

5:20 p.m.: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum congratulated Trump, saying on the social platform X that “as neighbors and commercial partners, dialogue, respect and cooperation will always be the symbol of our relationship.”

Sheinbaum, whose politics are firmly rooted on the left, began her six-year term in October.

Vivek Ramaswamy will not serve in Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency, the White House says

The Department of Government Efficiency’s first order of business was itself: It is now down to one member.

Vivek Ramaswamy will no longer serve in the nongovernmental agency alongside Elon Musk, a spokesperson for the agency confirmed Monday. Ramaswamy has signaled plans to run for governor of Ohio.

“Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE,” spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement. “He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE, based on the structure that we announced today. We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last 2 months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again.”

Trump reviews military troops in inaugural tradition

Trump is following the traditional inaugural playbook with a formal review of military troops.

The pass in review is an inspection of troops and a traditional ceremony that usually occurs on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. But, like the rest of the day’s festivities, it was also forced inside by low temperatures.

Trump and Vance watched the ceremony from a makeshift stage with a red carpet. Later, Trump moved closer to the troops with his wife, Melania.

The first couple held hands while “Hail to the Chief” played.

Trump picks new leaders for energy agencies

5:05 p.m.:Trump has named two Republicans to lead regulatory agencies that oversee nuclear power, natural gas and other energy infrastructure.

David Wright is the new chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, while Mark Christie heads the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The NRC regulates commercial nuclear power plants and other uses of nuclear materials. FERC regulates interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas and oil. It also reviews proposals to build liquefied natural gas terminals, a Trump priority.

Both panels are independent agencies, but members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

Wright replaces Christopher Hanson, while Christie supplants Willie Phillips. Both were named to their leadership posts by Joe Biden.

Democratic governor attended inaugural events out of respect for the office

Connecticut Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont says he believed it was important for him to make the trek to Washington for inaugural events out of “respect for the presidency and the transition of power.”

Lamont says it was also a chance to catch up with Republican governors from around the country and to meet some newly elected ones.

“I thought it was important to have Democratic governors there,” he told The Associated Press. “I’m not supporting any of these policies, just there out of respect for the presidency.”

Lamont, an early and longtime Biden supporter, acknowledged feeling a bit outnumbered politically during his whirlwind visit to the nation’s capital.

“Lots of flashing lights and MAGA hats down here,” Lamont joked. “I felt a bit like an anthropologist checking things out.”

Trump turns to 3 longtime senior civilians to serve as acting secretaries of military branches

Trump has turned to three longtime senior civilians at the Pentagon to serve as the acting secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force while he waits for Congress to confirm his permanent nominees.

Mark Averill, who was the administrative assistant to Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, will be acting secretary of that service. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Averill has been a senior career civilian since June 2009.

Terence Emmert, who has been the principal deputy chief technology officer for mission capabilities, will be the acting Navy secretary. He served in the Navy as an aviator and has broad experience in research and testing.

Gary Ashworth, who has been working in a temporary role as the assistant defense secretary for acquisition, will be the acting Air Force secretary. Ashworth spent more than 20 years in the Air Force and headed an acquisition squadron during his final assignment.

A wave of Trump-demanded departures hits senior leadership at the State Department

4:10 p.m.: A large number of senior career diplomats who served in politically appointed leadership positions at the State Department have left their posts at the demand of the incoming Trump administration, which plans to install its own people in those positions, according to current and outgoing U.S. officials.

Personnel changes in the senior ranks of the department, like those at all federal agencies, are not uncommon after a presidential election, and career officials serving in those roles are required, just as non-career political appointees, to submit letters of resignation before an incoming administration takes office.

In the past, some of those resignations have not been accepted, allowing career officials to remain in their posts at least temporarily until the new president can make nominations. That offers some degree of continuity in the day-to-day running of the bureaucracy.

What Melania Trump wore to the inauguration — including the hat

While red baseball caps have become synonymous with President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump made her own millinery-related fashion statement, sporting a navy wide-brimmed hat by an American designer on Inauguration Day.

The hat designed by Eric Javits shielded the first lady’s eyes as her husband was sworn in Monday for the second time. Javits said dressing the first lady has been one of the greatest honors of his career.

The hat made its mark throughout the inauguration ceremony: As Trump went to kiss his wife after entering the Capitol Rotunda, the hat left only room for an air kiss. Even now-former President Joe Biden had to navigate around the hat while trying to talk to her husband on the other side.

In a departure from 2017’s sky blue cashmere dress and gloves by Ralph Lauren, this time, Melania Trump paired a muted navy silk wool coat with a navy skirt and an ivory silk crepe blouse underneath, all by independent American designer Adam Lippes.

Trump orders US flags to be lowered again for Carter after inauguration

The text of Trump’s order on the U.S. flag says it will be lowered “upon the end of this Inauguration Day” for the remainder of the 30-day period honoring the memory of the late former President Jimmy Carter, or through Jan. 28.

Government health website providing abortion information appears disabled

4 p.m.: A government health website that offers birth control and emergency abortion guidance appears to have been disabled after Trump took office.

The website, reproductiverights.gov, was launched by the Biden administration in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn national abortion rights. It detailed ways in which women could obtain birth control, abortion pills and emergency abortions.

The Biden administration had argued hospitals, even in states with strict abortion bans, should be required to provide emergency abortions for women with serious pregnancy complications like placental abruptions, ectopic pregnancies or incomplete miscarriages.

More than 100 pregnant women, including some who needed pregnancy terminations, were turned away from emergency rooms since the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision, an Associated Press investigation found.

Mexico City residents protest Trump’s immigration policies during inauguration

3:50 p.m.: As Trump promised mass deportations in his inaugural address and following remarks, hundreds of people marched in protest of Trump’s immigration policies near the U.S. embassy in Mexico City.

A group of about 50 people gathered ahead outside the embassy ahead of the march. One held balloons that said in Spanish “Borders don’t exist.” A protester also burned a piñata that looked like Trump while another wore a hoodie labeled SB 4, referring to the stalled Texas immigration law.

Musk celebrates Trump’s victory

3:15 p.m.: Musk pumped his fists as he spoke at the Inauguration Day viewing party at Capital One arena.

He celebrated Trump’s victory, calling it “really important” and highlighting the new president’s promise to plant the U.S. flag on Mars — a longtime goal of Musk’s.

“I’m going to work my a— off for you guys,” Musk said in the short speech.

The Trumps and Vances are now at the Inauguration Day luncheon

The room is full of powerful people, including lawmakers, tech titans and Supreme Court justices.

Klobuchar spoke at the start of the event in National Statuary Hall.

The large painting behind them is called “American Horizon,” she said, and marks the first time the event has featured a work by a woman artist.

Milley’s portrait in the Pentagon removed

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley’s portrait and nameplate has been taken down in the Pentagon.

The portrait, which is a traditional way of honoring all former chairmen, was until at least 12:46 p.m. Monday still hung in the hallway by former Chairman Joseph Dunford’s portrait. Milley’s portrait was just unveiled Jan. 12 at a ceremony. Earlier today former President Joe Biden pardoned Milley preemptively from any potential prosecution by Trump.

Trump is participating in a formal signing ceremony at the Capitol

2:40 p.m.: Flanked by members of Congress from both parties, Trump sat in a high-backed red chair at an ornate desk and began affixing his signature to documents. One act was related to Cabinet duties while another directed that U.S. flags be flown at full staff on Inauguration Day.

Trump had bristled at the idea of flags flying at half-staff, as directed by Biden, for 30 days to honor the death of former President Jimmy Carter.

Carter died late last month.

Trump gives rambling, rally-style speech in Emancipation Hall

2:20 p.m.: It’s a remarkable moment for the new president — moments after being sworn into office, rambling into a long speech of familiar promises, grievances and insults.

Trump is holding court at the Capitol’s Emancipation Hall, his vice president and the House speaker looking on, as he talks unscripted for what was expected to be a quick stop to supporters.

Instead, he is speaking on a range of topics, a weave he has called it.

He’s also going longer in his post-inaugural remarks than he did in his inaugural address, which ran for half an hour.

The new president read from a teleprompter and was relatively staid in the Capitol Rotunda during his formal address. That speech was short by traditional inaugural address standards.

But then he headed to another part of the Capitol and started talking in a more relaxed and jovial way.

He didn’t stop for 32 minutes, joking at one point, “I think it’s a better speech than the one I gave upstairs.”

Trump unleashed

2 p.m.: After delivering a relatively staid inaugural address reading from a teleprompter, Trump is now unleashing during a freewheeling, off-the-cuff second speech at the Capitol Visitor Center.

Trump is angrily railing against his enemies, promising action on what he calls the “J6 hostages,” calling former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney “a crying lunatic,” and bashing what he calls the “unselect committee of political thugs” that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol.

He’s also criticizing the pardons Joe Biden issued right before Trump was sworn in and in recent weeks.

Trump ends CBP One

1:45 p.m.: The Trump administration Monday ended use of a border app called CBP One that has allowed nearly 1 million people to legally enter the United States with eligibility to work.

A notice on the website of Customs and Border Protection on Monday just after Trump was sworn in let users know that the app that had been used to allow migrants to schedule appointments at eight southwest border ports of entry is no longer available. The notice said that existing appointments have been canceled.

The move adheres to a promise Trump made during his campaign and will please critics who say it was an overly generous magnet for more people to come to Mexico’s border with the United States.

The CBP One app had been wildly popular.

It is an online lottery system to give appointments to 1,450 people a day at eight border crossings. They enter on immigration “parole,” a presidential authority that Joe Biden used more than any other president since it was introduced in 1952.

No longer president, Biden leaves Capitol

1:20 p.m.: He and his wife, Jill, boarded a military helicopter on the grounds of the Capitol after Trump was sworn into office.

Biden is going to Joint Base Andrews for a farewell ceremony with now-former members of his staff.

He’ll then fly aboard a military airplane to Santa Ynez, California, to unwind with his family.

Trump and Vance have departed

1:10 p.m.: President Trump, VP Vance, and the first and Second Lady have departed.

Former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris have also left.

The Trump family is waiting for the remaining former presidents to leave the platform before they are escorted out

Advocacy groups greet Trump’s swearing-in with a lawsuit over DOGE

12:55 p.m.: A coalition of veterans, public health professionals, teachers, consumer advocates and watchdog groups has filed a legal challenge in federal court against Trump’s special commission on promoting government efficiency.

The lawsuit was filed just after Trump’s swearing-in. It seeks an injunction against the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, under the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

The suit charges that Trump is operating the group without complying with federal transparency laws, and argues that the activities of private commissions must be made public.

Trump mentioned DOGE, which is being headed by billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in his inauguration speech.

Trump repeats unfounded immigration claim at the crux of his campaign

12:50 p.m.: In his inaugural address, Trump repeated a line he usually brought up during his campaign, saying that immigrants arriving in the country illegally come from prisons and mental institutions.

There is no evidence countries are sending their criminals or mentally ill across the border.

Today’s speech was a sharp departure from ‘American carnage’

12:45 p.m.: Trump’s second inaugural speech marked a major departure from his tone the first time he took the Oath of Office.

Back in 2017, Trump delivered an inaugural address that put aside the typical optimism and promises of unity with a dark portrait of national life as he spoke of “American Carnage.”

“From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, it’s going to be America first,” he had declared then.

Trump finished speaking after about 30 minutes. It was a very short speech by Trump’s standards.

His 2024 campaign rally speeches often went on for more than an hour.

Trump’s inauguration address echoes his rally speeches

12:40 p.m.: The speech Trump is delivering sounds a lot like his rally speeches, with plenty of grievance, including references to those who tried to “take my freedom” and the “weaponization of our Justice Department.”

Trump, after leaving office, became the first former president to be indicted, convicted and sentenced. But he has long tried to cast his many investigations as politically motivated.

Trump’s promised Day 1 executive orders

12:35 p.m.: Here are a few of the executive orders Trump says he plans to issue on his first day:

1. Several on immigration, including declaring a national emergency at southern border, reinstating the “remain in Mexico” policy and sending troops to the southern border.

2. Seeking a broad government effort to reduce inflation and reduce prices.

3. Declaring a “national energy emergency” and allowing for more energy production.

4. Ending what he has called an “electric vehicle mandate.”

Chief Justice John Roberts has sworn in Trump for a second term as president

12:15 p.m.: Trump’s family surrounds him after his swearing-in.

He kisses his wife, Melania, on the cheek — this time making it past the brim of her hat.

JD Vance has been sworn in by Justice Brett Kavanaugh

12:10 p.m.: Vance’s wife, Usha, and their three young children were at his side.

Speeches highlighting the “endurance” of American democracy

12:05 p.m.: The bipartisan leaders of the 60th Inaugural Committee kicked off the ceremony by highlighting the importance of American democracy as the country is close to celebrating 250 years.

“Our great American experiment, grounded in the rule of law, has endured. So as we inaugurate a new president and vice president, let us remember that the power of those in this room comes from the people,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the committee chair, said in her speech.

Her Republican counterpart, Sen. Deb Fischer, echoed that sentiment.

“Our democracy promises the American people the power to change, to chart their own destiny,” Fischer said. “That’s the beauty that is the importance of democracy. It allows endurance, the permanence of a nation and never change.”

White House staff turning over the mansion for Trump during inauguration

12 p.m.: The staff of the White House residence starts the work of moving out one president and preparing the mansion for a new president as soon as the outgoing and incoming presidents leave for the inauguration at the Capitol.

They have about five hours to do it.

The White House chief usher is the staff person who oversees the process and will have worked with Melania Trump to coordinate the move. One former White House usher describes the process as “organized chaos.”

Proud Boys seen marching on Washington streets

11:50 a.m.: A group of Proud Boys carrying pro-Trump signs and anti-antifa marched on the streets in Washington as Trump prepared for the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda.

The extremist group was known for street fights with anti-fascist activists when Trump infamously told them to “stand back and stand by” during his first debate in 2020 with Biden.

Dozens of Proud Boys leaders, members and associates have been convicted and sentenced to prison in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. It’s unclear whether any might receive pardons promised by Trump.

Audience welcomes former presidents

11:35 a.m.: The former presidents in attendance — Obama, Bush and Clinton — drew applause from the audience.

Two former first ladies were there, too, but Michelle Obama skipped the inauguration.

She wasn’t with the former U.S. leaders and their spouses at former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral earlier this month either.

No explanation has been given for her absences.

CEOs have better seats than Trump’s Cabinet members

11:20 a.m.: The CEOs of Meta, X, and Amazon sat in front of the president-elect’s entire Cabinet — a nod to the importance Trump has given the heads of some of the most powerful companies and social media platforms over his agency heads.

Pence and the Clintons get booed in arena

11:10 a.m.: The crowd in the arena is not discriminate with their cheers — anything from a man holding a “Joe Biden You’re Fired” sign to a shot of Rudy Giuliani has inspired enthusiastic applause — but a rare boo erupted from the crowd at the sigh of Mike Pence walking into the rotunda.

Soon after a much larger boo came for the Clintons.

Congressional leaders arrive at the Capitol

11:05 a.m.: Asked how he felt today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said: “Feel great about the Bills.”

The New Yorker had a royal blue cap in hand. The House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, said it’s “bright, sunny outside and bright in our heart.” Johnson said he expects “a lot” of executive orders from Trump. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries smiled and waved but declined comment.

“Feel great,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La.

Biden and Trump share a limo

10:50 a.m.: Both men shared the same vehicle, along with Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, chair of the bipartisan Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

Biden and Trump have been the bitterest of rivals for years. But the outgoing and incoming president taking the same vehicle to the inauguration ceremony keeps with political traditions.

They left the White House after spending about 35 minutes in a private meeting.

First lady and incoming first lady leave the White House

10:45 a.m.: First lady Jill Biden and incoming first lady Melania Trump have left the White House.

They were followed by Vice President Kamala Harris and Vice President-elect JD Vance, who left in a limo for the swearing-in at the Capitol.

“Very well, thank you,” Harris replied to a shouted question as she left the White House and headed to a waiting limo.

Flags are up at the Capitol

10:35 a.m.: Flags that had been lowered for the passing of former President Jimmy Carter are back up at the U.S. Capitol.

House Speaker Mike Johnson ordered the flags raised for Trump’s inauguration.

Pence is attending today’s inauguration ceremony

10:10 a.m.: “This is a day when every American does well to celebrate our democracy and the peaceful transfer of power under the Constitution of the United States,” the former vice president wrote in a post on the social platform X.

Trump and Pence once had a close relationship, but had a falling out when Pence refused to go along with Trump’s unconstitutional scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Putin congratulates Trump

10:05 a.m.: Speaking during a video call with members of Russia’s Security Council just before Trump’s inauguration, Putin said that “we hear the statements from Trump and members of his team about their desire to restore direct contacts with Russia, which were halted through no fault of ours by the outgoing administration.”

“We also hear his statements about the need to do everything to prevent World War III,” Putin said in televised comments. “We certainly welcome such an approach and congratulate the U.S. president-elect on taking office.”

Putin said Moscow is open to discussing a prospective peace settlement in Ukraine, adding it should lead not to a short truce but a lasting peace and take into account Russia’s interests.

The Trumps have arrived at the White House

10 a.m.: They met the Bidens on a gold-trimmed red carpet, exchanging greetings and posing for photos ahead of a private meeting over tea and coffee.

“Welcome home,” Biden said to Trump after the president-elect stepped out of the car.

Biden wrapped his hand around Trump’s upper arm to escort him inside the mansion.

Inauguration ceremony begins in the Capitol Rotunda

9:50 a.m.: The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Combined Choirs kicked off the inaugural ceremonies Monday with a musical prelude. The students wore all black with a red scarf embossed with their university logo.

Their voices echoed into the Capitol dome where in just a few hours Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President.

Trump to sign actions focused on energy and inflation

9:45 a.m.: Trump plans on Monday to sign actions to increase domestic oil production including a measure with a focus on Alaska.

That’s according to an incoming administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity under terms set by the transition team in a phone call with reporters.

Trump also plans to sign a memorandum that seeks an all-of-government approach to bringing down inflation.

The incoming official declined to provide specifics, but it’s unclear just how Trump can reduce energy and household costs without sacrificing growth or corporate profits.

JD Vance arrives at the White House

9:40 a.m.: Harris greeted the vice president-elect when he arrived.

Usually, only the president-elect comes to the White House on Inauguration Day before the swearing-in.

Harris and Vance have not yet had a formal one-on-one meeting after the outgoing vice president did not invite him to visit the official residence on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory.

Harris and Vance were accompanied by their spouses and all shook hands and posed for a picture.

Trump leaves church for White House

9:35 a.m.: Trump has left St. John’s Episcopal Church after a prayer service ahead of the inauguration.

He and his wife, Melania, are next expected to be welcomed by Biden and first lady Jill Biden, where they will share tea and coffee at the White House.

The private meeting is another presidential transition tradition.

It’s a stark departure from four years ago, when Trump refused to acknowledge Biden’s victory or attend his inauguration.

Trump will order rolling back protections for transgender people

9:35 a.m.: Trump will sign an executive order declaring that the federal government would recognize only two genders: male and female, an incoming White House official said Monday.

The order undoes parts of one Biden signed on his first day in office four years ago. Trump’s order could restrict access to gender-affirming medical care and sports competitions for some transgender people.

The official said only two sexes will be recognized on passports and visas.

Trump to issue orders on immigration, AP source says

9:30 a.m.: Trump is going to issue a series of orders aimed at remaking America’s immigration policies on his first day in office Monday — ending asylum access, sending troops to the southern border and ending birthright citizenship, an incoming White House official said.

It’s unclear how he would carry out some of his executive orders, including ending automatic citizenship for everyone born in the country, while others were expected to be immediately challenged in the courts.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity in order to preview some of the orders expected later Monday.

Immigrant communities were bracing for the crackdown that Trump had been promising throughout his campaign and up through a rally Sunday just ahead of his inauguration.

White House press offices emptying out

9:10 a.m.: Cupboards and drawers have been emptied, the walls are bare and all personal items have been boxed up, including in press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s office.

Most of the press office staff wrapped up their government service last week.

A couple of press secretaries and assistants remain to see Biden through tea with Trump, the ride to the Capitol for the inauguration and Biden’s departure ceremony afterward.

Trump enters church for service ahead of inauguration

9 a.m.: President-elect Donald Trump has entered St. John’s Episcopal Church with his wife, Melania, for a service ahead of the inauguration, taking part in a long presidential tradition.

The Trumps spent the night at Blair House and will head to the White House for a coffee and tea with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden following the service.

US flag atop White House flying at half-staff

8:55 a.m.: Biden had ordered that flags at federal facilities be lowered for 30 days out of respect for Jimmy Carter. The former president died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100.

Many governors also lowered the flag on state buildings.

But Trump complained that flags at the U.S. Capitol would fly at half-staff when he takes the oath of office to begin his second term.

Many Republican governors since have said the flag will be raised for the inauguration and lowered again afterward to respect Carter.

The White House had said Biden would not consider reversing or reevaluating the flag order.

Guests arrive at St. John’s Episcopal Church for Inauguration Day service

8:45 a.m.: Elon Musk and several of President-elect Trump’s Cabinet picks are already in the pews awaiting his arrival and the start of the service at the historic church on Lafayette Square.

Among the other guests are Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio, Argentina President Javier Milei and the president’s daughter Ivanka Trump

Audiences take their seats at Capitol One arena

8:45 a.m.: Long lines stretched around the icy sidewalks and security perimeters of Capitol One Arena where ticket holders hoped to be among the 20,000 to get in.

Inside the arena before 8:30 a.m. the atmosphere was calm — the seats largely empty as workers finalized preparations and the media set up cameras and lights on the arena floor.

Security and inauguration staff scolded members of the press inside for stray equipment in the hallways, saying doors would be held for the general public until it was cleared. Around 8:25 a.m., the public started to take their seats as the Katrina and the Waves song “Walking on Sunshine” blared on the speakers.

A record number of pardons

8 a.m.: Biden has set the presidential record for most individual pardons and commutations issued; he announced on Friday he would commute the sentences of almost 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses.

He previously announced he was commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment just weeks before Trump, an outspoken proponent of expanding capital punishment, takes office. In his first term, Trump presided over an unprecedented spate of executions, 13, in a protracted timeline during the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump will get ahold of an old X account

7:30 a.m.: The White House’s official X account, and its 37 million followers, will shift around midday from Joe Biden to Donald Trump.

The process is similar to Inauguration Day 2017 when the @POTUS account — created during Barack Obama’s tenure — was transferred to Trump’s first administration.

The same will be true for @WhiteHouse, the first lady’s @FLOTUS and @VP for the vice president.

Twitter suspended Trump’s personal account, @realDonaldTrump, in 2021, after the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

But Trump supporter Elon Musk later bought Twitter, renaming it X, and Trump rejoined the platform last summer — though he uses his Truth Social network more.