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 12:03AM EST
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, 5:40 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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ByArmando Garcia ABCNews logo
Jan 20, 2025, 11:13 PM EST

ACLU lawsuit challenges Trump's order to end birthright citizenship

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's executive order that ends birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of several organizations "with members whose babies born on U.S. soil will be denied citizenship under the order," the ACLU said in a statement.

"Denying citizenship to U.S.-born children is not only unconstitutional - it's also a reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values," said Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU. "Birthright citizenship is part of what makes the United States the strong and dynamic nation that it is."

"The Trump administration's overreach is so egregious that we are confident we will ultimately prevail," he added.

The plaintiffs say birthright citizenship is protected by the 14th Amendment.

"For families across America today, birthright citizenship represents the promise that their children can achieve their full potential as Americans. It means children born here can dream of becoming doctors, lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs, or even president-dreams that would be foreclosed if their citizenship were stripped away based on their parents' status," the groups represented by the ACLU said in the filing.

ByAlexander Mallin ABCNews logo
Jan 20, 2025, 11:12 PM EST

Brother of officer who died in Jan. 6 riots reacts to Trump's pardons

The brother of fallen Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick gave his first reaction to ABC News on Monday evening after President Donald Trump pardoned of over 1,500 convicted Jan. 6 rioters.

On the call, Craig Sicknick was in shock and called the pardons a "betrayal of decency."

"The man doesn't understand pain or suffering of others. He can't comprehend anyone else's feelings," he said.

"We now have no rule of law," he added.

Sicknick also said he is now personally concerned for his safety.

His brother, Brian, was brutally attacked by rioters, video evidence shows. The 42-year-old military veteran, who worked at the Capitol for 12 years, died a day later after suffering two strokes.

A medical examiner said he died of natural causes, but also said "all that transpired on that day played a role in his condition."

Five members of Sicknick's family testified in a February 2023 trial against George Tanios and Julian Khater, the men who pepper-sprayed Brian Sicknick, describing the loss of a son, a father, a brother, a partner -- and a fellow officer with the Capitol Police.

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Jan 20, 2025, 10:34 PM EST

President Trump and Melania attend the Commander-In-Chief inaugural ball

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have arrived at the Commander-In-Chief inaugural ball.

The two took to the stage for a first dance at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the Commander-In-Chief inaugural ball in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the Commander-In-Chief inaugural ball in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025.

The Trumps danced with members of the military to "Battle Hymn of the Republic," a song written by Julia Ward Howe during the Civil War.

And were later joined by Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha.

President Donald Trump, from right, with first lady Melania Trump and VP JD Vance, from left, with his wife Usha Vance, dance at an inaugural ball Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington.
President Donald Trump, from right, with first lady Melania Trump and VP JD Vance, from left, with his wife Usha Vance, dance at an inaugural ball Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington.
ByMichelle Stoddart ABCNews logo
Jan 20, 2025, 10:15 PM EST

Trump sets record with 42 executive orders, memoranda, proclamations

The White House is touting a "historic" first day in office for President Donald Trump, saying that he enacted 42 executive orders, memoranda and proclamation actions.

Additionally, the freshly inaugurated president signed "115 personnel actions," and more than "200 executive actions."