17m agoMon 20 Jan 2025 at 3:34pmWhat’s happened so far today?
It’s cold in Washington DC, and there’s also been a blizzard of news as Donald Trump prepares to make his big return as US president.
So far today, we’ve had:
Outgoing US President Joe Biden issue pre-emptive pardons for politicians who investigated the January 6 insurrection, and Dr Anthony Fauci, among othersDonald Trump attend a traditional inauguration day church service in Washington DCOfficials from Donald Trump’s team announce the incoming president will declare a national emergency at the Mexico border and send troops thereJoe and Jill Biden greet Donald and Melania Trump for morning tea on the steps of the White House.
(AP: Alex Brandon)
There’s plenty more to come, including Mr Trump’s inauguration ceremony and an inauguration parade. Cold weather means these will be housed indoors, rather than on the steps of the US Capitol Building.
Stick with us, we’ll be covering them live.
3m agoMon 20 Jan 2025 at 3:47pm
‘It has been the honor of our lifetimes’ – Joe Biden
Outgoing US President Joe Biden has posted a photo on social media standing alongside his wife Dr Jill Biden, outgoing vice president Kamala Harris and her husband Douglas Emhoff.
The four of them standing together for one of the final times at the White House.
23m agoMon 20 Jan 2025 at 3:28pm
Biden takes selfie before meeting with Trump
Before Joe Biden met up with Donald Trump, he and his wife Dr Jill Biden took a selfie together at the White House.
The selfie was uploaded to X with the caption, “One more selfie for the road. We love you, America”.
35m agoMon 20 Jan 2025 at 3:15pmDonald Trump meets Joe Biden on White House steps
As is tradition, the outgoing US president is meeting their successor on the steps of the White House.
Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcomed Donald Trump and Melania Trump just moments ago.
(Reuters: Carlos Barria)
(Reuters: Carlos Barria)
Before that, Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff welcomed JD Vance and his wife Usha to the White House.
(Reuters: Carlos Barria)
45m agoMon 20 Jan 2025 at 3:05pm
What to expect from Trump’s first actions
On the eve of inauguration, Trump said he would sign “close to 100” executive orders on inauguration day.
He’s pledged to “revoke dozens of destructive and radical executive orders and actions of the Biden administration”.
He’ll reportedly invoke a “national emergency” at the US-Mexico border to channel defence funding into border security, and sign orders paving the way for his “mass deportation” plan.He’s signalled he’ll target government-run diversity, equity and inclusion programs.He could bring back the “Schedule F” order he tried to put in place in his first term, to turn apolitical government jobs into political appointments.He’s suggested he’ll pardon people convicted of crimes in relation to the January 6 insurrection on the Capitol.He’s pledged to delay a national ban on TikTok so a deal can be made to keep it available in the US.
You can read more about what to expect when Trump returns to office in our story below.
57m agoMon 20 Jan 2025 at 2:53pmWhat Trump’s advisors have just announced
We’ve had a flurry of news about what Donald Trump is planning once he gets the keys to the White House, many of which won’t come as a total surprise to those who’ve watched his campaign closely
Here’s what Reuters has reported as being on the table, in just the last 10 minutes or so:
Trump will declare a national emergency at the border with Mexico and send the US military thereTrump will declare a ‘national energy emergency’Trump will sign an executive order ending “diversity, equity and inclusion” policies in the federal governmentTrump will sign an executive order that will end birthright citizenship for US-born children whose parents lack legal immigration status
There’s lots more, and we’ll be picking through the details of these as more becomes clear.
1h agoMon 20 Jan 2025 at 2:45pm
Members of Trump’s orbit arrive for church service
Before Donald Trump’s arrival, high profile allies of the president-elect were seen arriving at St John’s Church for the traditional inauguration day church service.
The service is underway, just hours out from his swearing in at the US Capitol.
Reuters photographer Jeenah Moon braved freezing temps in Washington DC to pap guests as they arrived.
Ivanka Trump.
Former New York Mayor Rudi Guiliani
Donald Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard1h agoMon 20 Jan 2025 at 2:33pmBREAKING: Trump to send troops to border, declare national emergency
Multiple news organisations are reporting one of Trump’s first moves as president later today will be to declare a national emergency at the US border with Mexico.
Reuters is citing a White House official, who also says the incoming president will direct the US military to the border in the name of territorial integrity.
1h agoMon 20 Jan 2025 at 2:13pm
Tech titans in town for Trump’s inauguration
1h agoMon 20 Jan 2025 at 1:58pmBREAKING: Trump and Melania arrive at church service ahead of inauguration
President-elect Donald Trump has arrived at the St Johns’ Church service with his wife Melania, ahead of his inauguration.
(Reuters: Jeenah Moon)
In just a few hours time, he will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States.
Also snapped was the vice president-elect JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance.
(Reuters: Jeenah Moon)
2h agoMon 20 Jan 2025 at 1:37pm
French PM warns Trump policies could ‘crush’ Europe
French prime minsiter Francois Bayrou (Reuters: Benoit Tessier)
Once Donald Trump takes office, European nations will be watching closely to see what steps he takes.
World leaders will be interested in how Trump treats the continent on issues like tariffs, and how he approaches the NATO alliance and raging conflict in Ukraine.
Speaking earlier today, France’s prime minister Francois Bayrou warned Europe could face severe challenges if it doesn’t rise up to combat some of Trump’s plans, according to news wire AFP.
“The United States, with the inauguration of the president, has decided on a politics that is incredibly dominating,” Bayrou says.
“If we do nothing then our fate will be simple. We will be dominated, we will be crushed, we will be marginalised.”
“It is up to us, French and Europeans.”
2h agoMon 20 Jan 2025 at 1:18pm
Trump’s pre-election rally
While we count down to Donald Trump’s swearing in, let’s look back at what he did on inauguration-eve.
In true Trump style, he held a rally.
Highlights included — and I kid you not — the incoming US president dancing on stage with the Village People to one of his favourite songs: Y.M.C.A.
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Trump also made a number of comments on what he plans to do once in office, and discussed the TikTok ban.
Here’s a look at how it all went down:
2h agoMon 20 Jan 2025 at 12:57pmOutgoing President Joe Biden issues last-minute pardons
(Reuters: Nathan Howard)
Donald Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden is using the dwindling time he has left to issue presidential pardons.
The outgoing president has issued a flurry of pre-emptive pardons in the final hours of his presidency, including to:
Politicians from both sides of politics who investigated the January 6 insurrection attemptDr Anthony Fauci, who led the US government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic (and was subject to plenty of conspiracy theories as a result)General Mark Milley, one of Trump’s advisors during his first term in office, who became concerned about the then-president’s desires to overturn the result of the 2020 US presidential elections.
Biden says they: “do not deserve to be the targets of unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions”.
You can read the full story here:
3h agoMon 20 Jan 2025 at 12:47pmUK PM sends ‘warmest congratulations’ to Trump
Keir Starmer won’t attend the inauguration, but has sent his congratulations. (Kin Cheung/Pool via Reuters)
Many world leaders who are not attending the inauguration have been sending messages of support to the incoming president.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a statement sending his “warmest congratulations” and pointing to the “uniquely close bond” the US and UK have.
“For centuries, the relationship between our two nations has been one of collaboration, cooperation and enduring partnership,” the prime minister said.
“Together, we have defended the world from tyranny and worked towards our mutual security and prosperity.”
Sir Keir said that since meeting Donald Trump for the first time in September 2024, the pair had spoken about deepening and investing in the transatlantic relationship.
“We will continue to build upon the unshakeable foundations of our historic alliance as we tackle together the global challenges we face and take our partnership to the next level focused on shared opportunities ahead for growth,” he said.
The UK’s Ambassador to Washington, Dame Karen Pierce, will attend the inauguration to represent the UK.
3h agoMon 20 Jan 2025 at 12:29pmWho’s performing at Trump’s inauguration?
Carrie Underwood will sing America the Beautiful at Donald Trump’s inauguration. (Reuters: Kent Edwards)
The list of celebrities performing at today’s inauguration include country singers Carrie Underwood, Lee Greenwood and Billy-Ray Cyrus, and rappers Snoop Dogg and Nelly.
Underwood told America’s ABC she was “humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future”.
Nelly spoke about receiving backlash from fans on a live-streamed interview with fellow rapper Willie D.
“I’m not doing this for money, I’m doing this because it’s an honour,” he said.
“I respect the office. It don’t matter who is in office. The same way that our men and women, our brothers and sisters who protect this country, have to go to war and have to put their life on the line for whoever’s in office.
“So if they can put their life on the line for whoever’s in office, I can damn sure perform.”
3h agoMon 20 Jan 2025 at 12:15pmHere’s how we expect inauguration day to go
(Jasper Colt, USA Today Network via Reuters)
While the Arctic conditions have forced some events to be moved, the schedule will follow well-worn tradition.
Donald Trump and JD Vance will start the day at church with their wives from about 8:15am local time (11.15pm AEST).Afterwards,the Trumps are expected to meet Joe and Jill Biden for tea at the White House.Trump and Vance will be sworn in about midday (3am AEST). It’ll happen inside the Capitol building, rather than out the front.Shortly afterwards, Trump’s expected to sign about 100 executive orders. Some will overturn Biden-era policies on immigration, energy, the environment and social issues. He’s also said he may pardon many people convicted over the January 6 riots and give TikTok a reprieve from a legislated ban.The inauguration parade will take place at an indoor sports arena. Trump is expected to get to the arena about 3pm (6am AEST).
3h agoMon 20 Jan 2025 at 12:04pm
Welcome to our inauguration day blog
Good morning from a bitterly cold Washington DC.
After a norm-shattering election campaign, we’re expecting another departure from tradition for Donald Trump’s inauguration.
The dangerously cold conditions mean the inauguration will take place indoors.
The swearing-in ceremony will happen in the rotunda of the US Capitol. The parade, which traditionally works its way down DC’s Pennsylvania Avenue, has been moved to an indoor sports arena, where Trump held a rally yesterday.
He’s made clear he’ll waste no time implementing his MAGA agenda. He’s said he’ll sign close to 100 executive orders on policies ranging from immigration to TikTok. He’s said he may also pardon people involved in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol.
We’ll bring you all the news from Washington as it happens here.
