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.

KABC logo
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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1:29 AM GMT

Trump discovers letter from Biden in Oval Office desk

While signing a slew of executive orders from the Oval Office on Monday night, Trump found a letter that outgoing President Joe Biden had left for him inside the Resolute desk.

Trump found it after Fox News' Peter Doocy asked if he'd been left a letter from Biden.

After joking about reading it aloud to the press, Trump said he would read it privately first.

Click here for a look at the tradition of presidents leaving letters for their successors.

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1:19 AM GMT

Trump signs executive order ending birthright citizenship

Among executive orders signed by Trump at the Oval Office is one ending birthright citizenship.

Such a move, though, is expected to face significant legal hurdles. Under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, any person born within the territory of the U.S. is a U.S. citizen.

When a reporter pointed out that that order will likely be challenged, Trump said, "You could be right."

"We have good grounds," he added.

President Donald Trump signs an executive order withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization in the Oval Office of the White House on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington.
President Donald Trump signs an executive order withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization in the Oval Office of the White House on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington.
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1:05 AM GMT

Trump pardons approximately 1,500 Jan. 6 rioters

Trump, surrounded by executive orders he planned to sign Monday evening, also signed an order pardoning approximately 1,500 Jan. 6 rioters.

The order also includes six commutations, he said.

"We hope they come out tonight. Frankly, they're expecting it," Trump told reporters.

As of early January, more than 1,580 individuals have been charged criminally in federal court in connection with Jan. 6, with over 1,000 pleading guilty, according to the Department of Justice.

Click here for a closer look at the sweeping pardons and commutations.

ByKatherine Faulders ABCNews logo
1:00 AM GMT

Elon Musk spotted in West Wing: Sources

Elon Musk has been spotted at the White House West Wing, sources say.

Musk is said to have a blue badge -- which is essentially an all-access pass. Musk has office space in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building -- or the EEOB -- which is in the White House complex but situated next door.

Sources told ABC News that Musk is also likely to get West Wing office space.

Elon Musk reacts as President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington.
Elon Musk reacts as President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington.