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, 5:47 PM GMT

Trump celebrates his comeback: 'Here I am'

"Many people thought it was impossible for me to stage such a historic political comeback. But as you see today, here I am," he said. "The American people have spoken."

Trump's long road back to the White House included four indictments, one conviction, two assassination attempts and a campaign of ups and downs.

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Jan 20, 2025, 5:40 PM GMT

Trump references legal troubles: 'Never again'

Trump, who has been convicted by a jury of his peers and was indicted four times after his first term, again contended he was politically prosecuted.

"Never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized to persecute political opponents," he said. "Something I know something about. We will not allow that to happen. It will not happen again. Under my leadership, we will restore fair, equal and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law."

The two cases against him were dropped after he won reelection, with prosecutors citing longstanding Justice Department policy that a sitting president cannot be charged with a crime.

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Jan 20, 2025, 6:07 PM GMT

Trump lays out Day 1 executive actions

Trump is now highlighting some of the executive actions he will take.

They include declaring a national emergency at the southern border and a national energy emergency.

Trump will order a national energy emergency and issue orders aimed at the elimination of federal DEI programs, incoming officials say.

He said he would send troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, reinstate "Remain in Mexico" policy and other immigration policies.

Read more about his plans for Day 1 here.

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Jan 20, 2025, 5:32 PM GMT

Trump takes aim at Biden in address: 'A horrible betrayal'

Trump is taking aim at Biden's leadership these past four years, specifically on immigration and on recent natural disasters, though he didn't mention his predecessor by name.

"My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal, and all of these many betrayals that have taken place, and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and indeed their freedom," Trump said.

President Donald Trump speaks during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
President Donald Trump speaks during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.

Like he did on the 2024 campaign trail, Trump's painting a dark picture of America.

"From this moment on, America's decline is over," he said. "Our liberties and our nation's glorious destiny will no longer be denied, and we will immediately restore the integrity, competency, and loyalty of America's government."