WASHINGTON — Here’s the latest on today’s significant events and developments:
1. What’s happening today? Today marks Donald Trump’s first complete day back in the capital following the election. He is scheduled to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery and later address a rally at Capital One Arena, home to the city’s professional basketball and hockey teams.
2. Notable foreign dignitaries are in attendance: For the inauguration this year, several heads of state, including Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Argentine President Javier Milei, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, are visiting the U.S., a notable change from previous years.
In more news:
Following Trump’s commitment to postpone TikTok’s ban upon taking office, the platform has started to restore services for some U.S. users. The company issued a statement on social media regarding the restoration process, expressing gratitude to Trump for clarifying that service providers would not face penalties for offering TikTok to Americans.
Roger Stone, a close associate of Trump, shared that the incoming president is upbeat and excited about his new role. Stone described Trump as “ebullient” and “serene” and noted that Trump is more involved in shaping his administration compared to his first term in 2017. He expressed approval of the inauguration being held indoors due to safety concerns, citing past attempted assassinations.
At the Hispanic Inaugural Ball, prominent conservative politicians and Hispanic American business leaders gathered, including notable figures such as Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Maria Elvira Salazar. Guests included Venezuelan politician Juan Guaidó and Argentinian President Javier Milei, who spoke at the event about strengthening ties between the U.S. and Latin America, alongside Paraguayan President Santiago Peña.
As Trump prepares to return to the White House, members of his new Cabinet convened for the first time at the National Gallery of Art. This formal dinner included crucial appointments, and a social media post shared by Kash Patel highlighted a group photo of the Cabinet picks lined up together.
In preparation for the inauguration events, Trump held a private breakfast with Republican senators at the official guest residence, Blair House. Vice President-elect JD Vance joined him for the occasion.
Trump has announced that he plans to issue an executive order extending TikTok’s operations in the U.S. for another 90 days. He made a call for companies to ensure that the app remains available to users, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming inauguration and associated events.
As the first family transitions into the White House, Melania Trump noted that their second move is significantly easier than the first. The process of moving in and out of the White House presents unique challenges for the residence staff, who only have a brief window of time to transition between families.
The inauguration ceremony for Trump, the expected 47th president, is poised to diverge from usual practice due to colder temperatures, now taking place indoors in the Capitol Rotunda instead of outside. This will be the first indoor ceremony in four decades, with alternative arrangements being made for attendees.
The inauguration festivities commence this weekend, featuring a series of events that include fireworks and a rally. The Sunday schedule includes the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, followed by a “MAGA Victory” rally. This rally will feature performances from various artists and speeches from Trump and other notable figures. Trump is also expected to attend a candlelight dinner, where he will address guests.
