‘We Go to Lunch!’ Key Highlights of Donald Trump’s Inauguration

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States at the Capitol Rotunda, marking a political comeback after being convicted of felonies. In his inaugural address, Trump vowed “the golden age of America” is starting as he listed his priorities — on trade, immigration and national security — while criticizing President Joe Biden, who sat nearby. Read our fact check from his address.

First actions:

Trump, who will hold an event later today at the Capital One Arena, is expected to sign a series of executive actions, including declaring a national emergency on the US-Mexico border and pulling the US out of the Paris climate deal. He is also planning to pardon nonviolent January 6 defendants and commute the sentences of others.

Preemptive pardons:

Hours before the change in US leadership, Biden issued pardons for Gen. Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci and members of Congress who served on the committee investigating January 6. He also issued preemptive pardons for his brothers, his sister and their spouses.

Supporters of President Donald Trump have gathered at Capital One Arena in Washington, where a victory party will take place Monday evening.

Trump will attend the party, one day after he held a campaign-style rally at the same venue. He is expected to address the crowd, along with Vice President JD Vance.

The inauguration was livestreamed at the arena after the ceremony was moved indoors due to frigid temperatures.

“This is an incredibly enthusiastic group of Trump supporters, about 20,000 of them,”

CNN Brianna Keilar said.

“And what we’ve noticed is really how they have been reacting to the events of the day and also to Trump’s inaugural address. It’s been really interesting.”

“They have been roaring for Trump, roaring for JD Vance, and all of those in his circle,” Keilar added. “But there’s also been a lot of boos for Joe Biden, for Kamala Harris and anyone who is a perceived enemy of Donald Trump. Even Jill Biden and Doug Emhoff.”

Further Development

President Donald Trump attended his first signing ceremony Monday afternoon shortly after being sworn in.

Trump was surrounded by various lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., as well as Vice President J.D. Vance and Melania Trump.

Trump cracked a joke about the chilly weather before sitting down to sign the orders, which included cabinet and sub-cabinet appointments as well as acting designation appointments.

The remainder of the documents included commission chairman appointments and a proclamation order declaring that flags should be flown at full staff on all future inauguration days . Flags were at half staff earlier today due to the recent death for former President Jimmy Carter.

Trump wrapped up signing the orders by making some more jokes, specifically about the temperature at the ceremony itself and “the sound.”

“Now we go to lunch,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., joked at the end.

The Laken Riley Act is expected to be headed back to the House after the Senate likely passes an amended version on Monday night.

The legislation is set to be one of the first pieces of legislation sent to President Donald Trump’s desk after it overcame the legislative filibuster’s 60-vote threshold twice this month.

The bill, introduced in the new Congress by Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., in the Senate and Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., in the House, was named for a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student who was found dead on the University of Georgia’s campus in February.

Jose Ibarra, a 26-year-old illegal immigrant, was found guilty of 10 total counts, including felony murder. He initially pleaded not guilty but was ultimately sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in November.

The measure would require ICE to arrest and detain illegal immigrants that have committed theft, burglary or shoplifting until they are deported. States would also be granted standing under the legislation to take civil action against members of the federal government that do not enforce immigration laws.