First pardoned Jan. 6 rioters released in DC

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

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.

Jan 20, 2025, 3:53 PM EST

Acting leaders named for Homeland Security, Defense departments

While awaiting the Senate confirmation hearing for South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Trump's pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, Benjamine Carry Huffman has been appointed acting secretary.

Huffman is currently the director of the Federal Law Enforcement Centers, the training arm for federal law enforcement.

Department of Defense official Robert Salesses was also named acting defense secretary until the Senate confirmation hearing is held for Trump's pick, Pete Hegseth.

Salesses is the current deputy director of the Washington Headquarters Service.

-ABC News' Luke Barr and Luis Martinez

Jan 20, 2025, 3:33 PM EST

Plans for Rubio's 1st day at the State Department

The State Department is charging full steam ahead with preparations for Sen. Marco Rubio's first full day as America's top diplomat.

Assuming all goes to plan, two State Department officials say that Rubio -- Trump's nominee to be secretary of state -- will give a speech to mark his arrival on Tuesday. He will also meet both one-on-one and as a group with the foreign ministers of India, Australia, and Japan -- the three countries that, along with the U.S., make up the Quad, a diplomatic partnership seen as critical to countering China's influence in the Pacific.

Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio stands with fellow cabinet nominees while attening the inauguration of Donald Trump in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington.
Saul Loeb - Pool/Getty Images

The Senate is expected to begin working to formally install as many of Trump's nominees as possible and Rubio is expected to come up first. He could be confirmed as soon as this evening.

-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston

Jan 20, 2025, 3:14 PM EST

White House raises flag to full staff after Trump signs proclamation

The flag at the White House has been raised after Trump signed a proclamation for flags to be flown at full staff on all inauguration days.

Flags are raised from half staff at the White House following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington.
Andrew Harnik/Pool via Reuters

The flag had been at half-staff following President Jimmy Carter’s death on Dec. 29. Trump is ordering the flag to return to half-staff on Tuesday for the remainder of the 30-day period, which began the day of 100-year-old Carter’s death.

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson ordered that the flags at the Capitol be raised for the inauguration.

-ABC News’ Justin Ryan Gomez

Jan 20, 2025, 3:05 PM EST

Trump advisers, DOJ prepare for legal challenges

With a flurry of executive orders expected today, President Donald Trump's top advisers, including his incoming Department of Justice leadership, are preparing for a storm of legal challenges to some of the most controversial ones.

"We're going to get sued on all of these things," one top Trump adviser said, adding that the volume of litigation is expected to be a full-time job for Trump's DOJ.

PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump takes the oath as Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump look on during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington.
President-elect Donald Trump takes the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump look on during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington.
Chip Somodevilla/Pool via Reuters

Trump has privately told advisers that he believes flooding the zone with executive orders will lead to lawsuits that may be less effective given the volume of actions he plans to take.

During Trump's first administration, he faced upwards of 400 lawsuits challenging his actions. His advisers anticipate more than that this time.

There will be a team inside the Justice Department that is dedicated just to defending Trump's actions in court, sources said.

-ABC News’ Katherine Faulders

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