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, 2:35 PM EST

Politicians attend inauguration luncheon

Members of Congress, officials joining the new administration and tech leaders including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg have congregated for an inauguration luncheon at the Capitol.

CEO of Meta and Facebook Mark Zuckerberg attends a luncheon in honor of newly sworn in President Donald Trump, in Statuary Hall at the Capitol in Washington, DC, Jan. 20, 2025.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Secretary of Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attends a luncheon in honor of newly sworn in President Donald Trump, in Statuary Hall at the Capitol in Washington, DC, Jan. 20, 2025.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

A name tag reading "The President" is pictured ahead of a luncheon in Statuary Hall that will follow the inauguration ceremony where Donald Trump will sworn in as the 47th US President in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, Jan. 20, 2025.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

People attend a luncheon following the inauguration of President Donald Trump at the Capitol in Washington, DC, Jan. 20, 2025.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Senator Bernie Sanders, Independent from Vermont, attends a luncheon in honor of newly sworn in President Donald Trump, in Statuary Hall at the Capitol in Washington, DC, Jan. 20, 2025.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who chairs the Inaugural committee, is seated between Trump and Vance.

Jan 20, 2025, 2:13 PM EST

Pelosi criticizes Trump’s inaugural speech

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was critical of Trump's inaugural speech, pointing out that he didn't mention his plan to cut taxes on the wealthy.

"In the President’s first term, his only accomplishment was enacting tax cuts that gave eighty-three percent of the benefits to the top one percent while increasing the national debt by $2 trillion," she said in a statement.

"While he didn’t say it in his speech, the President campaigned on an extension of those tax cuts being his first priority in the new Congress," Pelosi said. "The American people want us to build an economy from the middle out -- not from the top down."

Pelosi's statement came as Trump slammed the former speaker in remarks to his supporters at Emancipation Hall.

"She's guilty as hell," Trump said of Pelosi over her response to the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

President Donald Trump speaks in Emancipation Hall after the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Jan. 20, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
Al Drago/AP

Jan 20, 2025, 2:00 PM EST

Bidens board plane to leave DC

The Bidens boarded a government plane to leave Washington and head to Santa Ynez, California, following Trump’s inauguration.

Former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden wave as they board Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, during a farewell ceremony on Jan. 20, 2025.
Allison Robbert/AFP via Getty Images

Former President Joe Biden speaks as former first lady Jill Biden looks on at Joint Base Andrews, Md., following inauguration ceremonies on Jan. 20, 2025.
Samuel Corum/Getty Images

"We're leaving office -- we're not leaving the fight," Biden said in his remarks to staffers at Joint Base Andrews before boarding.

"I've been doing this for 50 years, you’re the best group of people," Biden said. "It's been the honor of my life to serve as your president."

Former President Joe Biden spoke to supporters at Joint Base Andrews before departing Washington, D.C.
5:08
Biden bids farewell after Trump inaugurationFormer President Joe Biden spoke to supporters at Joint Base Andrews before departing Washington, D.C.
ABCNews.com

Biden departed as Trump continued to speak to his supporters at Emancipation Hall.

Jan 20, 2025, 1:55 PM EST

Trump again airs grievances against Nancy Pelosi, Liz Cheney after pledging 'unity'

After promising 'unity' in his inaugural address, Trump is reverting back to bulldozing political opponents like Nancy Pelosi and Liz Cheney.

"She's guilty as hell," he said of Pelosi over her response to the attack on the U.S. Capitol -- where he was speaking -- by a pro-Trump mob.

He called Liz Cheney, a Republican who endorsed Kamala Harris over Trump because of his actions after the 2020 election, a "disaster."

"She's a crying lunatic and crying, crying Adam Kinzinger, he's a super crier," Trump said.

Sponsored Content by Taboola