In less than three weeks, Inauguration Day will mark the beginning of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term in office. This year, the inauguration coincides with the federal holiday commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As Trump prepares to take the oath of office, he has been busy finalizing his administration, having already announced most of his Cabinet nominees and key White House positions.
However, the appointment process has not been without its share of controversy. One notable instance was the replacement of Matt Gaetz as the nominee for attorney general due to ongoing controversies surrounding past investigations into sexual misconduct. Gaetz, while denying any wrongdoing, chose to withdraw from consideration, prompting Trump to select a new candidate for the position.
Looking ahead to his first day in office, Trump has outlined several significant plans, including the imposition of import tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. This proposal has raised concerns, particularly from Mexico, the United States’ largest trading partner, as both nations could potentially suffer economically from such actions.
In terms of timing, Trump’s inauguration is set for January 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Leading up to the event, Trump has been making headlines for a variety of reasons. Recently, a New York federal appeals court upheld a ruling that Trump had sexually abused and defamed columnist E. Jean Carroll, ordering him to pay $5 million in damages.
On the political front, Trump endorsed Speaker of the House Mike Johnson for the role of Republican congressman, signaling his support amidst internal party divisions following a recent government shutdown dispute. Trump’s transition team has been swift in announcing nominees for key positions within the administration, with many selections being individuals who have previously served in his government.
Among Trump’s immediate policy priorities are the implementation of a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada, alongside an additional 10% tariff on products from China. He has also reiterated his commitment to swiftly deporting undocumented immigrants residing in the country, a stance he prominently campaigned on.
As the Inauguration Day draws near, there is a mounting sense of anticipation and scrutiny surrounding Trump’s upcoming term. The decisions and actions taken in the initial days of his presidency will likely set the tone for the administration’s approach to governing in the coming years.
Contributing to this report are journalists Joey Garrison, Bart Jansen, Karissa Waddick, Josh Meyer, and Sudiksha Kochi. Fernando Cervantes Jr., a trending news reporter for USA TODAY, can be contacted at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com or followed on Twitter @fern_cerv_.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY and provides insights into the timeline leading up to Trump’s inauguration and key developments to be aware of during this crucial period.
