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, 5:50 PM EST

White House confirms Vivek Ramaswamy is leaving DOGE

The White House confirmed to ABC News that Vivek Ramaswamy, who Trump had picked to help lead his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Elon Musk, will now step aside to focus on running for governor of Ohio.

"Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE," Trump-Vance transition spokesperson Anna Kelly told ABC News in a statement. "He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE based on the structure that we announced today. We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last 2 months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again!"

PHOTO: Rep. Elise Stefanik, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Trump's Secretary of Homeland Security nominee Kristi Noem attend President Donald Trump's Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2025.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, President-elect Trump's nominee to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Trump's Secretary of Homeland Security nominee Kristi Noem attend President Donald Trump's Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

An Ohio operative told ABC News last week that Ramaswamy would announce his gubernatorial run soon.

"Vivek's base plan remains [the] same: to get accomplishments at DOGE and then announce a run for governor shortly," the operative said.

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie

Jan 20, 2025, 5:35 PM EST

Butler County first responders enter arena

Butler County first responders have entered the arena to applause, including one holding the coat of Corey Comperatore, the volunteer firefighter killed during the assassination attempt on Trump at his July 13 rally in Pennsylvania.

A moment of silence was held in honor of Comperatore.

Butler County, PA first responders march during an indoor inauguration parade, Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Jan 20, 2025, 5:31 PM EST

Trump enters arena to boisterous applause

Trump and Melania Trump walked into Capital One Arena together as "Hail to the Chief" was played by a military band.

The atmosphere is similar to that of Trump's campaign rallies, with attendees clad in red "Make America Great Again" hats.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at Capital One arena on the inauguration day of Trump's second presidential term, in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2025.
Brian Snyder/Reuters

Trump shook hands with supporters in the crowd, many of whom held up their cellphones to film his entrance.

Supporters of President Donald Trump react as they watch a screen while Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States inside Capitol One Arena, in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2025.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

Jan 20, 2025, 5:45 PM EST

DeSantis refers to Gulf as 'Gulf of America' in executive order

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on an approaching winter storm on Monday that refers to the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America."

Among the first executive orders set to be signed by Trump is one that would rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America."

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