Pres. Donald Trump moves swiftly to implement his new agenda after inauguration

Donald Trump took the presidential oath for a second time at the Capitol.

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Last updated: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 5:03AM GMT
Trump returns to power in historic inauguration
Dignitaries from across Washington and around the world gathered into the U.S. Capitol Rotunda to watch power transfer peacefully from Democratic former President Joe Biden to his Republican successor, Donald Trump.

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump returned from a campaign-style rally at a Washington, D.C., arena to the White House to sign more executive orders, including a sweeping one that pardoned those convicted of storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Earlier after taking the oath of office and events at the Capitol, Trump spoke to a roaring crowd at Capital One Arena, where he also signed several executive orders.

Now that he's finished signing the orders, Trump is attending several inaugural balls.

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Jan 20, 2025, 10:40 AM

Photos show inauguration events, preps, protests

From events for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump to excitement from eager attendees and outrage from protesters, here's a look at the most recent photos.

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President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the Commander-In-Chief inaugural ball in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025.
JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

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Jan 20, 2025, 3:52 PM GMT

What happens when Trump and Biden get to Capitol

According to the presidential inauguration committee, here is what will happen when Trump gets to the Capitol:

First, he will be sworn in around noon.

After, Trump will bid farewell to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden is leaving the Capitol via helicopter to go to Joint Base Andrews, where he will hold a farewell event with his staff.

Trump will then visit the overflow crowd gathered at Emancipation Hall to watch the swearing in and later participate in a ceremony in the presidents signing room. He will eventually return to Emancipation Hall for a review of the troops.

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Jan 20, 2025, 3:52 PM GMT

Biden and Trump depart White House for Capitol

President Joe Biden and President-elect Trump are riding together to the U.S. Capitol for Trump's swearing-in.

President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump walk out to the presidential limo, as they depart the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington.
President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump walk out to the presidential limo, as they depart the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington.

Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar walked them out of the White House.

First lady Jill Biden and Melania Trump rode to the ceremony separately, as did Vice President Kamala Harris and Vice President-elect JD Vance.

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Jan 20, 2025, 3:36 PM GMT

Biden leaves letter for Trump

As President Joe Biden prepared to pass the baton to President-elect Donald Trump, he's followed the tradition of leaving his successor a note.

While Biden confirmed that he wrote Trump a letter, he did not say what his message was.

President Ronald Reagan started the ritual of leaving his successor a letter in 1989. Every president since has taken part in the tradition. But since Reagan's letter to Bush, each handover has been from a Democrat to a Republican or vice versa.

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Jan 20, 2025, 3:30 PM GMT

Biden sees to peaceful transition of power Trump denied him four years ago

The peaceful transition of power is a hallmark of American democracy.

It's currently on display as Biden hosts Trump at the White House before they attend the inauguration together.

But four years ago, Trump denied Biden such a welcome. Instead, he bitterly left Washington hours before the inauguration while still refusing to concede he lost the 2020 election.

"The only president ever to avoid an inauguration is the guy that's about to be inaugurated," Biden had said when he confirmed he would be in attendance for Monday's events.