First pardoned Jan. 6 rioters released in DC

Two Pennsylvania brothers arrested for their role in the riots were released.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Meredith Deliso, Emily Shapiro, Emily Chang, David Brennan, Leah Sarnoff, and T. Michelle Murphy
Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 2:16 AM EST

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.

After he is through signing the orders, Trump will attend inaugural balls tonight.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news developed on Inauguration Day:
Jan 20, 2025, 10:44 AM EST

What happens when Trump and Biden get to Capitol

According to the presidential inauguration committee, here is what will happen when Trump gets to the Capitol:

First, he will be sworn in around noon.

After, Trump will bid farewell to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden is leaving the Capitol via helicopter to go to Joint Base Andrews, where he will hold a farewell event with his staff.

President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump walk out to the presidential limosine, as they depart the White House, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, enroute to the Capitol.
Alex Brandon/AP

Trump will then visit the overflow crowd gathered at Emancipation Hall to watch the swearing in and later participate in a ceremony in the presidents signing room. He will eventually return to Emancipation Hall for a review of the troops.

Jan 20, 2025, 10:38 AM EST

Biden and Trump depart White House together for Capitol

President Joe Biden and President-elect Trump are riding together to the U.S. Capitol for Trump's swearing-in.

Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who chairs the congressional inaugural committee, walked them out of the White House.

First lady Jill Biden and Melania Trump rode to the ceremony separately, as did Vice President Kamala Harris and Vice President-elect JD Vance.

Jan 20, 2025, 10:25 AM EST

Biden sees to peaceful transition of power Trump denied him four years ago

The peaceful transition of power is a hallmark of American democracy.

It's currently on display as Biden hosts Trump at the White House before they attend the inauguration together.

President-elect Donald Trump, U.S. President Joe Biden, Melania Trump, and First lady Jill Biden walk inside ahead of his Inauguration, at the White House, Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

But four years ago, Trump denied Biden such a welcome. Instead, he bitterly left Washington hours before the inauguration while still refusing to concede he lost the 2020 election.

"The only president ever to avoid an inauguration is the guy that's about to be inaugurated," Biden had said when he confirmed he would be in attendance for Monday's events.

Jan 20, 2025, 10:20 AM EST

Biden leaves letter for Trump

As President Joe Biden prepared to pass the baton to President-elect Donald Trump, he's followed the tradition of leaving his successor a note.

While Biden confirmed that he wrote Trump a letter, he did not say what his message was.

President Ronald Reagan started the ritual of leaving his successor a letter in 1989. Every president since has taken part in the tradition. But since Reagan's letter to Bush, each handover has been from a Democrat to a Republican or vice versa.

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