On Politics

Tue Jan 21 2025

Rebecca Morin | Senior National News Reporter

@RebeccaMorin_

How's it going? It's Rebecca Morin, senior national news reporter at USA TODAY. Not sure if I need coffee or hot chocolate more.

Trump's sweeping changes continue in first full day in office

President Donald Trump's administration isn't slowing down. He kicked off the start of his second term with a slew of executive orders and actions, including at least 78 that undid former President Joe Biden's policies. On his first full day in office, Trump will deliver remarks on American infrastructure, and he met with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Follow live coverage here.

•	Trump revokes security clearances of former intelligence officials
•	US government website offering resources on abortion, reproductive rights goes offline
•	Where's Reagan? White House says website will bring back bios soon.

Trump kicked off his morning by attending a prayer service at the National Cathedral alongside Vice President JD Vance. A bishop at the service during her sermon urged Trump to "have mercy" on immigrants and transgender children ‒ making what she called "one final plea."

In the afternoon, Trump met with the two GOP leaders who will help make his agenda the law: Johnson and Thune. The meeting comes as Republicans have to navigate an ultra-slim majority in both the House and Senate. Here's what happens next.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania attend the National Day of Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday.

Kevin Lamarque, REUTERS

A politics pit stop

•	The world's richest people attended Trump's inauguration. Here are their net worths
•	As Inauguration Day turned to night, the Trumps share (another) first dance
•	10 fashion moments that defined Trump's inauguration
•	Trump orders U.S. to exit WHO again. Health experts warn of danger.
•	ACLU files lawsuit against Trump order that seeks to end birthright citizenship

States sue Trump over executive order that restricts birthright citizenship

A coalition of 18 states on Tuesday sued Donald Trump and federal agencies for an executive order he issued Monday that will end automatic citizenship for children whose parents are foreign nationals, whether they're here legally or not. The ACLU also filed a separate legal challenge on the order. The lawsuits argue that the executive order would upend a foundational aspect of the United States of America: that anyone born here is from here. Read more.

•	Trump issued a flurry of executive orders on Monday. Here are the most notable.

Jan. 6 prisoners, including Oath Keepers leader, released after Trump pardons, commutations

Donald Trump on Monday pardoned nearly 1,600 people charged in the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021. And overnight, federal prisoners who were convicted for the riot began to be released. Trump also commuted the sentences for 14 defendants, including Stewart Rhodes, the former leader of the Oath Keepers militia. Read more.

Got a burning question, or comment, for On Politics? You can submit them here or send me an email at rdmorin@usatoday.com.