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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ByLuis Martinez and Matt Seyler ABCNews logo
Jan 20, 2025, 9:08 PM GMT

Milley's official portrait was removed from Pentagon hallway

Gen. Mark Milley's official portrait as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was taken down this afternoon from the hallway where it hung along with those of previous chairmen.

Two U.S. officials confirmed that Milley's portrait was taken down from that hallway and referred questions to the White House.

One official told ABC News that the whereabouts of the portrait is unknown.

The portrait was officially unveiled on Friday, Jan. 10, at a ceremony in that hallway where both Milley and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin were present.

The portrait's disappearance was first noted by reporters at the Pentagon who have posted uncleared photos of the empty space where the portrait was hung.

ByLuke Barr and Luis Martinez ABCNews logo
Jan 20, 2025, 9:07 PM GMT

Acting leaders named for Homeland Security, Defense departments

While awaiting the Senate confirmation hearing for South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Trump's pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, Benjamine Carry Huffman has been appointed acting secretary.

Huffman is currently the director of the Federal Law Enforcement Centers, the training arm for federal law enforcement.

Department of Defense official Robert Salesses was also named acting defense secretary until the Senate confirmation hearing is held for Trump's pick, Pete Hegseth.

Salesses is the current deputy director of the Washington Headquarters Service.

ByShannon K. Kingston
Jan 20, 2025, 8:50 PM GMT

Plans for Rubio's 1st day at the State Department

US Senator Marco Rubio arrives ahead of trump's inauguration as the 47th president of the United States in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025.
US Senator Marco Rubio arrives ahead of trump's inauguration as the 47th president of the United States in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025.

The State Department is charging full steam ahead with preparations for Sen. Marco Rubio's first full day as America's top diplomat.

Assuming all goes to plan, two State Department officials say that Rubio -- Trump's nominee to be secretary of state -- will give a speech to mark his arrival on Tuesday. He will also meet both one-on-one and as a group with the foreign ministers of India, Australia, and Japan -- the three countries that, along with the U.S., make up the Quad, a diplomatic partnership seen as critical to countering China's influence in the Pacific.

The Senate is expected to begin working to formally install as many of Trump's nominees as possible and Rubio is expected to come up first. He could be confirmed as soon as this evening.

ByJustin Ryan Gomez ABCNews logo
Jan 20, 2025, 8:24 PM GMT

White House raises flag to full staff after Trump signs proclamation

The flag at the White House has been raised after Trump signed a proclamation for flags to be flown at full staff on all inauguration days.

The flag had been at half-staff following President Jimmy Carter's death on Dec. 29. Trump is ordering the flag to return to half-staff on Tuesday for the remainder of the 30-day period, which began the day of 100-year-old Carter's death.

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson ordered that the flags at the Capitol be raised for the inauguration.