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12:30 Report — Trump moves to the trickier phase of his agenda

January 21, 2025

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12:30 REPORT

It’s Tuesday. We’ve all woken up in a very different Washington. Donald Trump is president once again and has already made dozens of major changes to the country with the stroke of a pen. In this edition:

Trump meets with GOP leaders this afternoon to formulate a game plan.
An infrastructure announcement is expected at 4 p.m.
Trump nominees Elise Stefanik, Doug Collins testify.
George W. Bush and Melania Trump became memes.

I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips & feedback to cmartel@thehill.com. Someone forward this to you? Sign up.

Now the tricky part begins:

President Trump hit the ground running Monday evening, fulfilling a slew of campaign promises through dozens of executive orders.

That was the easy part. No negotiation was necessary, he could act unilaterally and undo some of Biden’s legacy.

He’s shifting his focus to the legislative branch today, which will be much thornier.

After attending the traditional national prayer service late this morning, Trump will meet with Republican congressional leaders to formulate a game plan for his priorities. This is where things get tricky. Republicans have an incredibly slim majority in the House, so there’s not much wiggle room for defectors. Now combine that with an individually strong-willed conference and a slim Senate majority.

What’s top of mind?: Republicans’ plan to pass Trump’s priorities through reconciliation (a way to fast-track a bill to avoid the filibuster). Johnson and Thune’s goals for the meeting

The schedule: The president will host Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Republican Leader John Thune (S.D.) at 2 p.m., per Punchbowl. The meeting will open to a broader group of Republican leadership at 3 p.m.

Then at 4 p.m.: Trump will address the American people from the Roosevelt Room. 💻 Livestream

No way. Are we really starting with Infrastructure Week??: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said this morning that Trump will make a “massive” infrastructure announcement this afternoon. 👀

🗨️ Follow today’s live blog — this is particularly helpful on a day like today with lots of moving parts.

➤ LET’S TALK ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS:

Trump went big with his opening day policy changes, signing a flurry of executive orders in front of a crowd of thousands at Capital One Arena. He then headed back to the White House for a signing ceremony 📹 surrounded by journalists.

Jan. 6: He pardoned virtually all the defendants who were part of the pro-Trump mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, including Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who was serving a 22-year prison sentence. Keep in mind that Vice President Vance recently said people who “committed violence” on Jan. 6 shouldn’t be pardoned.

📸 Crowd of family and friends that formed outside the D.C. jail

Immigration: He issued a flurry of immigration orders, including declaring a national emergency at the border to allow for increased military presence and paused refugee admissions. He also ended birthright citizenship, which contradicts a constitutional guarantee.

^📝 Read more: ACLU sues over Trump order aimed at ending birthright citizenship

TikTok: Trump instructed his administration not to enforce the TikTok ban for 75 days.

Other notable executive orders:

Withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement
Withdrew from the World Health Organization
Rolled back transgender protections. Only two sexes, male and female, will be recognized.
Ended remote work for federal employees
Freeze on any new regulations
Freeze on federal hiring (except for military)

Tidbit: Despite the busy day, Trump 📹 recorded a video message for the College Football Playoff championship game.

➤ RELATED READS:

The New York Times: Trump Moved to Redefine Birthright Citizenship. That Could Be Hard.
The Washington Post: Democrats move to protect Medicaid, wary of Trump’s looming changes
The Wall Street Journal: The Who’s Who of Trump’s Exclusive Inauguration Ceremony
The Atlantic: The Tech Oligarchy Arrives: Donald Trump’s inauguration signaled a new alliance—for now—with some of the world’s wealthiest men.

➤ INAUGURATION DAY SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:

Trump didn’t place his hand on the Bible during the oath: This caused quite the stir online, but it has no legal bearing on the legitimacy of his oath.

📹 Buses of Trump staff quickly rolled in

Milley’s portrait was taken down: Mark Milley’s portrait was taken down at the Pentagon, just 10 days after it was unveiled. 📸 Portrait and the now-blank spot

George W. Bush became a meme: Former President George W. Bush had some incredible facial expressions during the inauguration ceremony. He’s become a meme. 📹 See for yourself

📸 @RyanLostinTX: “When you see the server emerge from the kitchen with a piping hot sizzling platter of combo fajitas for two.”

📸 @DocHolliJay: “When you’re 11 $6 margs deep at Chili’s and Creed comes on the TouchTunes”

📸 @CalebJHull: “When you secretly order shots for the table”

📹 @heyshanb: “[I don’t care] what anyone says. I love George Bush and his 10-year-old-Christmas-concert-spirit.”

^ Why this is particularly funny: His daughter, Jenna Bush Hager recently mentioned on NBC’s “Jenna and Friends” that she told her dad: “I’ll say to him … Dad, the attention is going to be on you. Try to just keep it cool.” 📹 Watch the clip

And so did Melania Trump’s hat: The internet had a lot of opinions about first lady Melania Trump’s hat.

@cassandra__db: “Melania’s hat is giving Hamburglar”

@thiscompost: “Melania had such a wonderful view of the inauguration” 📸 This photo made me laugh out loud.

@ArmandDoma: “why did Melania dress as the Benadryl hat man night terror”

Trump may not have minded the indoor inauguration: NewsNation’s Joe Khalil noticed that Trump made conversation with lawmakers during his signing ceremony and said it was a beautiful place to have the inauguration. “It was 72 degrees and the sound was great.”

The former presidents didn’t stick around: CNN’s Manu Raju asked the Clintons what they thought of Trump’s speech. Hillary Clinton smiled and Bill said, “I think you can figure it out for yourself.” Obama, Clinton and Bush all left before the luncheon.

📹 Watch Hillary Clinton’s reaction when Trump said he’s changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico. So many people have posted this clip.

📹 Barron Trump photobombed a photo with his sisters

Justice Samuel Alito’s wife is dressed how you might expect: Martha-Ann Alito 📸 wore a bright red outfit and an American flag pin. Keep in mind that she has been caught up in controversies over waving far-right flags over their house.

📸 This is an incredible photo: Vice President Vance’s kids were such champions on Monday.

➤ TIDBITS FROM THE INAUGURAL BALLS:

A themed photobooth at an inaugural ball: There was a McDonald’s setup and a mug shot station at the Liberty Ball. 📸 Photos ; 📹 Video

📹 Watch the Trumps and the Vances dance at the Commander in Chief Ball

Also, Trump danced with a sword: No, really. 📸 Photo to prove it

Read more on the inaugural balls, via The Wall Street Journal: “MAGA Returns to Washington With ‘Mood-Boosting’ Mocktails, Meme Coins and Paella”

✅ On Capitol Hill

The lightning speed round:

Senate Republicans are racing to confirm President Trump’s nominees as quickly as possible.

First up — Trump’s national security team: Senators unanimously confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of State on Monday evening. Plus, Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, CIA director nominee John Ratcliffe and Homeland Security secretary nominee Kristi Noem all successfully cleared their respective committees. They’re now set for floor votes.

^ Of those three, Ratcliffe should have the easiest time being confirmed. Noem and Hegseth have some Democratic opposition, so while they will both likely be confirmed, it could take a bit longer.

Read Al Weaver’s reporting: ‘Republicans kick off race to confirm Trump nominees’

➤ WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY?:

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Trump’s pick for U.N. ambassador, will testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Trump’s Veterans Affairs nominee Doug Collins will testify before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
The Senate Finance Committee will vote on Trump’s Treasury secretary nominee Scott Bessent.

➤ THE FIRST BILL TO PASS:

The Laken Riley Act passed the Senate on Monday. A dozen Democrats joined Republicans in voting “yes” on the bill. And that has caused some intra-party tension.

^Keep in mind: Some of those Democrats will face tough reelection fights.

Read Alexander Bolton’s reporting: ‘Senate Democrats boil over Laken Riley missteps’

🐝 Internet Buzz

🥜 Celebrate: Today is National Granola Bar Day!

🏈 Go sports!: The Ohio State Buckeyes beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the College Football Playoff national championship Monday evening. Check out the concession prices 👀

📆 On The Agenda

The House and Senate are in. President Trump and Vice President Vance are in Washington. (all times Eastern)

12:30 p.m.: Senators meet for weekly caucus meetings. 📆 Today’s agenda
1 p.m.: Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers remarks. 💻 Livestream
2 p.m.: Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Republican Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) meet, per Punchbowl. There will be a full Republican leadership meeting with Trump at 3 p.m.
4 p.m.: Trump delivers remarks from the Roosevelt Room. 💻 Livestream
6:30 p.m.: First and last House votes. 📆 Today’s agenda

👋 And Finally…

Because you made it this far, here’s an incredible video of a man discovering a cupcake missing from his family’s Edible Arrangements delivery. Guess where they found it?