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, 3:09 PM EST

Flurry of lawsuits target DOGE while Trump is sworn in

Within minutes of Trump’s swearing-in, a handful of lawsuits were filed against the Trump administration targeting the controversial Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, and its leader, tech billionaire Elon Musk.

The litigation accuses the Trump administration of skirting federal transparency rules that require advisory groups like DOGE to disclose its hiring practices and interactions with government bodies, while a fourth suit seeks records regarding DOGE’s interactions with the Trump transition team.

Read more here.

-ABC News’ Laura Romero and Lucien Bruggeman

Jan 20, 2025, 1:36 PM EST

Trump talks about Jan. 6 'hostages'

In more off-the-cuff remarks inside the Capitol's Emancipation Hall after his address, Trump spoke about people who have been convicted for their roles in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol as "hostages."

"I was going to talk about the J6 hostages," Trump said. "But you'll be happy because, you know, it's action not words that count."

Attendees pray inside Capital One arena on the day of Donald Trump's presidential inauguration in Washington, DC, Jan. 20, 2025.
Amanda Perobelli/Reuters

Trump previously promised to pardon some Jan. 6 rioters on Day 1.

He also went after former Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, two Republican members of the House Jan. 6 Committee who are outspoken critics of Trump because of his actions after the 2020 election.

"And I was going to talk about the things that Joe did today with the pardons of people that were, very, very guilty of very bad crimes, like the Unselect Committee of political thugs," Trump said.

Jan 20, 2025, 1:24 PM EST

Biden's legacy: How will he be remembered?

Surveys show Americans have mixed views on Biden's four years at the pinnacle of power.

Historians told ABC News it will take years to fully assess his stamp on American politics, but that likely to be included are his legislative achievements while leading the country out of the COVID-19 pandemic and his foreign policy footprint.

But many said his 2024 campaign decisions -- first to run for reelection and later to drop out -- may overshadow his record while in office.

Read more here.

PHOTO: Former US President Joe Biden (R) congratulates President Donald Trump after he was sworn in during an inauguration ceremony in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, Jan. 20, 2025.
Former US President Joe Biden (R) congratulates President Donald Trump after he was sworn in during an inauguration ceremony in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, Jan. 20, 2025.
Shawn Thew/POOL/EPA via Shutterstock

Jan 20, 2025, 1:20 PM EST

Biden departs the Capitol

Joe Biden, now the former president, left the Capitol on a Marine helicopter that will bring him to Joint Base Andrews for a final farewell to Washington.

Former president Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden boarded a helicopter at the U.S. Capitol following the inauguration of President Donald Trump and headed to the Joint Base Andrews.
9:31
President Trump says farewell to the Bidens as they depart the CapitolFormer president Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden boarded a helicopter at the U.S. Capitol following the inauguration of President Donald Trump and headed to the Joint Base Andrews.
ABCNews.com

President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden stand during a farewell ceremony outside the Capitol Jan. 20, 2025, following Donald Trump's inauguration.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

The Bidens and Trumps walked together to the helicopter. Both couples were holding hands.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump and First lady Melania Trump walk from the U.S. Capitol building on the inauguration day of Donald Trump's second presidential term in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025.
President Donald Trump and First lady Melania Trump walk from the U.S. Capitol building on the inauguration day of Donald Trump's second presidential term in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

Biden smiled and appeared to laugh as he spoke to Trump. Jill Biden and Melania Trump hugged as they said goodbye.

This is an exit for Biden after five decades in politics.

Just before he left, Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff entered their own motorcade. She is traveling home to Los Angeles, her office confirmed to ABC News.

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