Congress certified Trump's 2024 victory with Harris presiding, marking a stark contrast to January 6, 2021. Judge Cannon temporarily blocked the release of Jack Smith's special counsel report on Trump's classified documents case, while appeals courts rejected Trump's attempts to delay his hush money sentencing.
Meta announced the end of its fact-checking program in favor of X-style community notes, adding Dana White to its board - a shift viewed as preparation for Trump's return. The move sparked debate about platform moderation ahead of the new administration.
Trump's afternoon Mar-a-Lago press conference introduced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico and suggested potential military action to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal. These statements overshadowed Carter's arrival at the Capitol to lie in state.
By evening, attention shifted to evacuations in Los Angeles as the Pacific Palisades fire spread amid powerful Santa Ana winds, threatening thousands of homes.