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Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th commander-in-chief of the United States. He is the first president since Grover Cleveland to enter the White House for a non-consecutive second term.
The ceremony was moved indoors at the US Capitol for the first time since Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985 by the punishing sub-zero temperatures currently blasting Washington D.C.
In his inaugural address, Trump declared that a new “golden age of America” has started, which will make the country he now leads “greater, stronger and far more exceptional than ever before.” He then delivered a dark and brooding denunciation of his own government.
Just two hours after being sworn in, the president has begun signing more than 200 executive orders – a record – covering everything from border security and energy to ending birthright citizenship and renaming the Gulf of Mexico.
As the day began, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden greeted the incoming president and Melania Trump at the White House by saying: “Welcome home.”
After the inauguration ceremony, the Trumps bid farewell to the Bidens, who departed the Capitol in Marine One before flying to California.
ANALYSIS: Trump once distanced himself from Project 2025. But now MAGA’s hardliners are ready for the revolution
During the bitter presidential election campaign, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and her supporters regularly quoted from the Project 2025 tome produced by more than 100 righting thinktanks and led by the massive Heritage Foundation.
At one point, such was the intensity of attacks around it, Donald Trump publicly disavowed the document and distanced himself from it.
Things have changed now, as David Maddox, The Independent’s political editor, reports from Washington, D.C.
Oliver O’Connell20 January 2025 21:00
Did Trump forget to put his hand on the Bible when he was sworn into office?
During his inauguration on Monday, President Donald Trump appeared to forget to put his hand on the Bibles he brought for the swearing-in ceremony, instead leaving his left arm by his side.
With Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issuing the oath of office, Trump’s wife, Melania, stood next to the president and held two Bibles. (No, neither of them was the infamous “Trump Bible” that fans can purchase for $60.)
Justin Barangoa reports on the odd moment.
Oliver O’Connell20 January 2025 20:50
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.
Which of Trump’s inauguration promises can he and can’t he keep?
As president, Trump has plenty of authority to enact his policies — however, there are still some limits on the extent of what can be changed by executive order. Here are some areas where he might have trouble.
Oliver O’Connell20 January 2025 20:40
In pictures: Leading MAGA figures celebrate Trump inauguration at Capital One Arena
Oliver O’Connell20 January 2025 20:38
Michelle Obama posts poignant message as she skips Trump inauguration
Oliver O’Connell20 January 2025 20:30
Elon Musk draws outrage over ‘odd-looking salute’ at Trump inauguration celebration
Tesla CEO and “first buddy” Elon Musk drew a ton of immediate outrage online and on cable news after he made an “odd-looking” gesture during his speech at the Capitol One Arena on Monday to celebrate President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
After getting extremely excited about the prospect of landing a man on Mars and planting an American flag, the X owner pounded his chest and shot his right arm in an angular motion toward the sky.
“Standing ovation for Elon Musk. By far the biggest reception of the day,” CNN anchor Erin Burnett noted. “You saw him come out with that odd-looking salute.”
Justin Barangoa was watching.
Oliver O’Connell20 January 2025 20:20
Which executive orders did Trump sign before lunch?
A little more detail on what Trump signed in the President’s Room:
Trump was told the first document involved 22 cabinet and cabinet-level appointments.
The second document signed was for 47 sub-cabinet-level positions.
The third was for 31 acting designations or appointments.
The fourth document signed was for 15 commission chairmen and acting chairman appointments.
Lastly, there was the proclamation ordering the flag to be flown at full measure on future Inaugurations Days, including this one.
The president then distributed about a dozen pens to the lawmakers in the room.
Oliver O’Connell20 January 2025 20:11
To prep for White House return, Melania Trump has been studying foreign affairs, report says
Melania Trump has been studying foreign affairs while “preparing intensively” for her White House return, according to a report.
In a significant departure from her first stint in the White House, the incoming first lady has been brushing up on her studies, sources told CNN.
“She has acknowledged privately that the job was a whirlwind of responsibilities that she was largely unaware of the first time around,” the network reports.
Oliver O’Connell20 January 2025 20:10
Within minutes of inauguration, White House webpage flips to Trump hype video
The Trump team wasted no time flipping WhiteHouse.gov to reflect the new administration, immediately directing users to a new landing page that features a 30-second-long video montage of Trump during his first term, military imagry and on the campaign trail.
Ariana Baio has the story.
Oliver O’Connell20 January 2025 20:00
