Here is how events are unfolding. All times Eastern.
Jan 21, 2021, 2:25 PM EST
US Secret Service ends Inauguration Special Security Event
The U.S. Secret Service announced the conclusion of the the special security event for the inauguration at noon Thursday.
It began Tuesday night and led to road closures and increased security measures, including more than 35,000 security personnel comprising National Guardsmen and other law enforcement and more than 25 miles of fencing in Washington.
A group of Virginia National Guard patrol around the razor wire fence surrounding the U.S. Capitol grounds in Washington, Jan. 16, 2021.
White House clarifies that Biden intends to keep Wray on as FBI director
In a tweet Thursday morning, White House press secretary Jen Psaki clarified her comments from her first press briefing Wednesday, saying Biden intends to keep FBI Director Christopher Wray in his current role and has “confidence” in him.
“I caused an unintentional ripple yesterday so wanted to state very clearly President Biden intends to keep FBI Director Wray on in his role and he has confidence in the job he is doing,” Psaki tweeted.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki takes questions from journalists in the James S Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, after the inauguration of Joe Biden, Jan. 20, 2021.
Tom Brenner/Reuters
When asked about Biden’s plans for Wray during her first press briefing Wednesday, Psaki said she had not spoken with Biden about Wray specifically in recent days.
"I think -- I have not spoken with him about specifically FBI Director Wray in recent days," she said. "I'll circle back with you if there's more to convey."
FILE PHOTO: FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks during a press conference at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., Oct. 7, 2020.
Jim Watson/Pool via REUTERS
Former President Donald Trump had publicly weighed firing Wray in the wake of losing the presidential election.
-ABC News' Molly Nagle
Jan 21, 2021, 1:40 PM EST
White House economic official urges Congress to 'act quickly' amid high unemployment
Responding to an unemployment weekly claims report out Thursday, White House National Economic Council Director Brian Deese called it "another stark reminder that we must act now on the president's 'American Rescue Plan' to get immediate relief to families and spur our economy" and called on Congress to act quickly on Biden's proposals -- including raising direct payments to qualifying Americans to $2,000.
In a written statement, Deese said, "900,000 more Americans filed claims for unemployment because they are out of work in an economy that is moving in the wrong direction."
"We must act now to get this virus under control, stabilize the economy, and reduce the long-term scarring that will only worsen if bold action isn't taken," he continued.
President Joe Biden signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Jan. 20, 2021.
Tom Brenner/Reuters
Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package also includes $130 billion to reopen schools safely and $160 billion to boost the country's testing and vaccine programs.
-ABC News' Ben Gittleson
Jan 21, 2021, 1:25 PM EST
McConnell slams Biden for executive actions, Schumer calls for unity on Cabinet confirmations
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, in floor remarks Thursday, slammed the Biden administration for executive actions it took Wednesday as the president barrels toward dismantling his successor's legacy at an aggressive rate.
"On the Biden administration's very first day, it took several big steps in the wrong direction," McConnell said, pointing to the orders to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord, revoke a key permit for the proposed Keystone pipeline and halt deportations of certain non-citizens for 100 days to review its policies.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, as expected, celebrated the early executive orders of the Biden administration in his floor speech.
