Trump inauguration live updates: Day One executive orders target Alaska energy, birthright citizenship, DEI efforts

Trump lashed out at Biden for issuing a final spate of preemptive pardons for various figures who have become political targets of Trump and his supporters.

“It is disgraceful. Many are guilty of MAJOR CRIMES! DJT,” Trump told NBC News’ Kristen Welker in a text message.

Biden issued pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci and Gen. Mark Milley, as well as members of Congress and staffers who investigated the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. He is also pardoning the police officers who worked with the House Jan. 6 committee.

— Kevin Breuninger

Trump will order the end to diversity, equity and inclusion measures in the federal government, an administration official told reporters on a Monday morning call.

President Biden had made expanding diversity among government workers a priority.

The Trump official also said that the private industry should stay tuned for more actions that could impact their diversity efforts, as well.

— Annie Nova

Biden and first lady Jill Biden shared a parting photo fit for the social media age: a selfie outside the White House.

“One more selfie for the road,” Biden wrote in the X post with the photo.

“We love you, America.”

— Kevin Breuninger

Trump is gearing up to crack down on immigration through a suite of Day One executive orders that aim to end birthright citizenship, designate drug cartels as terrorists and send troops to the border, incoming White House officials said.

Trump will declare a national emergency at the border, a move that will deploy armed forces and spur more border-wall construction, the officials said.

Trump will also sign orders declaring an end to so-called catch-and-release practices and reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico pending their immigration court dates.

The order on birthright citizenship will interpret the Constitution’s 14th Amendment to “clarify that on a prospective basis, the federal government will not recognize automatic birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens born in the United States,” an official said.

Another order will direct the U.S. attorney general and encourage state AGs to seek the death penalty for “capital crimes committed by illegal aliens,” the official said.

— Kevin Breuninger

Trump and incoming first lady Melania Trump arrived at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square for a church service.

Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife Usha are also attending.

After the service, Trump and Melania are scheduled to have tea at the White House with Biden and first lady Jill Biden.

— Kevin Breuninger

Trump has repeatedly signaled that he plans to sign an executive order today to strip protections for potentially thousands of federal workers.

By reinstating the order Trump issued in his first term, known as Schedule F, it could be easier for the new administration to fire many government workers. That’s because the new category of federal workers won’t have the same rights as career civil servants, including an immunity from random termination.

The executive order is seen by Trump officials as one step toward the president’s plan to dismantle what Trump calls the “deep state” and federal bureaucracy.

It could also allow the president to install workers who promise to carry out his agenda.

— Annie Nova

Bitcoin hit a new all-time high overnight after the Trumps each launched their own meme coins in the past few days.

As of 8:15 a.m. ET, the flagship cryptocurrency was up nearly 1% at $106,522.98, according to Coin Metrics. 

Trump launched the “Official Trump” meme coin Friday, which has risen to a $10.6 billion market cap and surged more than 659%, according to data from CoinGecko and Coinbase. 

Melania Meme has hit a $1.3 billion market cap and 14% price increase since its launch Sunday night. It has attracted $7.3 billion in trading volumes over the last day, compared to the Trump meme’s $31 billion.

Meme coins are considered the riskiest corner of the already risky cryptocurrency market.

But the Trumps’ coin launches are giving traders confidence that the incoming administration will be positive for the industry.

— Tanaya Macheel

On his final morning in office, President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to General Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the members of Congress and staff of the J6 committee, and officers who testified before them.

“These public servants have served our nation with honor and distinction and do not deserve to be the targets of unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions,” Biden said in a statement.

“These are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing. Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families,” said Biden.

“That is why I am exercising my authority under the Constitution to pardon General Mark A. Milley, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the Members of Congress and staff who served on the Select Committee, and the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee.”

— Christina Wilkie

Trump’s inaugural address will feature a memorable line calling for a “revolution of common sense,” reports Kristen Welker, host of NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”

“I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success. A tide of change is sweeping the country,” Trump will say, according to an incoming White House official.

“Today, I will sign a series of historic executive orders. With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense,” Trump will tell the audience assembled in the rotunda.

“My message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigor, and the vitality of history’s greatest civilization,” the incoming president will say.

— Christina Wilkie and NBC News’ Kristen Welker

Trump and incoming first lady Melania Trump were out on the town last night until late, attending a black-tie “candlelight dinner” at the National Building Museum with the who’s who of Washington’s new Trump establishment.

Guests included Musk, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez, philanthropist and Trump mega-donor Miriam Adelson, incoming Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump, Jr. and his girlfriend Bettina Anderson, Eric Trump and his wife Lara Trump, and Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner.

Vice President-elect JD Vance and incoming second lady Usha Vance were also there, along with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Trump HHS pick Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

The incoming president arrived at the museum around 9 p.m. ET, and left shortly after 11:30 p.m. He delivered brief remarks and thanked supporters. Save for the few minutes of Trump’s remarks, the dinner was closed to press.

— Christina Wilkie

Elon Musk met with China’s vice president, Han Zheng, who is in town for the Trump inauguration.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, Han “welcomed Tesla and other U.S. companies to seize opportunities and share the fruits of China’s development.”

In turn, Musk expressed “Tesla’s willingness to deepen its investment and cooperation in China and to play an active role in promoting China-U.S. economic and trade exchanges,” said the ministry.

Tesla’s largest single assembly plant is in Shanghai, and the company is a fierce competitor in China’s EV market.

Han also met with Vance and with U.S.- China business groups.

— Christina Wilkie

Trump will deliver his second inaugural address immediately after he is sworn in today around noon. The theme of the speech will be “unity,” Trump told Kristen Welker, host of NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”

“It’s going to be a message of unity,” said Trump. “We’re going to be talking about unity, and we’re going to be talking about success, making our country safe,” he said. “Basically it’s going to be about bringing our country together.”

“And no ‘American carnage’?” asked Welker, quoting the most memorable line of Trump’s first inaugural address.

“No American carnage, no,” Trump replied.  

— Christina Wilkie

The Trump Vance inaugural committee has provided a sequence of events for today.

Much of the timing is fluid, but we know that Trump will assume the presidency at precisely 12:00 p.m. ET, and that his oath of office will be administered right before that.

Below is the committee schedule, modified slightly to add an event at the Capital One Arena in place of the traditional outdoor parade.

Monday, January 20, 2025 

– St. John’s Church Service 

– Tea at the White House 

– Swearing-In Ceremony: US Capitol

– Farewell to the Former President and Vice President  

– US Capitol Departure Ceremony 

– The President’s Signing Room Ceremony 

– JCCIC Congressional Luncheon  

– Event at Capital One Arena [added to schedule]

– Oval Office Signing Ceremony at The White House  

– Commander in Chief Ball: President Donald J. Trump Delivers Remarks 

– Liberty Inaugural Ball: President Donald J. Trump Delivers Remarks 

– Starlight Ball: President Donald J. Trump Delivers Remarks 

— Christina Wilkie