Latest Updates on Trump Inauguration 2025

President Biden considering preemptive pardons before Trump assumes office

President Joe Biden is weighing whether to issue sweeping pardons for officials and allies who the White House fears could be unjustly targeted by President-elect Donald Trump's administration, a preemptive move that would be a novel and risky use of the president's extraordinary constitutional power. The deliberations so far are largely at the level of White House lawyers. But Biden himself has discussed the topic with some senior aides, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday to discuss the sensitive subject. No decisions have been made, the people said, and it is possible Biden opts to do nothing at all. Pardons are historically afforded to those accused of specific crimes and usually those who have already been convicted of an offense but Biden's team is considering issuing them for those who have not even been investigated, let alone charged. They fear that Trump and his allies, who have boasted of enemies lists and exacti

Trump taps ally of immigration policies to head Customs, Border Protection

The picture of who will be in charge of executing President-elect Donald Trump's hard-line immigration and border policies has come into sharper focus after he announced his picks to head Customs and Border Protection and also the agency tasked with deporting immigrants in the country illegally. Trump said late Thursday he was tapping Rodney Scott, a former Border Patrol chief who's been a vocal supporter of tougher enforcement measures, for CBP commissioner. As acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Trump said he'd nominate Caleb Vitello, a career ICE official with more than 23 years in the agency who most recently has been the assistant director for firearms and tactical programs. They will work with an immigration leadership team that includes South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as head of the Department of Homeland Security; former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement head Tom Homan as border czar; and immigration hard-liner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of ...

Donald Trump appoints former PayPal COO David Sacks as 'AI and crypto czar'

Crypto czar and other officials in Trump's incoming administration such as the chairs of the SEC and Commodity Futures Trading Commission are expected to reshape US policy on digital currency

Investment banks eye 2025 income boom as Trump drives deal rebound

Global investment banking income has only topped $300 billion five times in the last 20 years

Trump appoints former Senator David Perdue as US ambassador to China

President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday he is choosing former Sen David Perdue of Georgia to be ambassador to China. Trump said in a social media post that Perdue, a former CEO, brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China. Perdue pushed Trump's debunked lies about electoral fraud during his failed bid for Georgia governor. Perdue lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff four years ago and ran unsuccessfully in a primary against Georgia Gov Brian Kemp. Economic tensions will be a big part of the US-China picture for the new administration. Trump has threatened to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he takes office as part of his effort to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the country from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, as one of his first executive orders. The Chinese Embassy in Washington cautioned earlier this wee

Donald Trump's plan to impose 10% tariff on China has $64 bn import hole

It might be difficult to achieve it fully because tens of billions of dollars worth of goods will probably escape those import taxes due to loopholes and undercounting

Trump names Adam Boehler for negotiating release of hostages abroad

President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday named a health care executive to serve as his administration's lead hostage negotiator at a time when the US is trying to secure the release of prisoners in Gaza and other regions around the world. Adam Boehler will serve as the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs. That role has been held since 2020 by Roger Carstens, who was appointed by Trump and remained in the job for the duration of the Biden administration. During that period, the US has brought home several dozen Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained in countries including Russia among them, WNBA star Brittney Griner and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich Iran, China, Venezuela and Afghanistan. Boehler is the founder and CEO of Rubicon Founders, a healthcare investment firm, and also served as the first CEO of the International Development Finance Corporation. In a statement announcing the appointment, Trump described Boehler as the lead negotiator on

Trump seeks to dismiss Georgia election case, citing presidential immunity

President-elect Donald Trump is trying to get the Georgia election interference case against him dismissed, claiming the state's courts will not have jurisdiction over him once he returns to the White House next month. The Georgia case against Trump and others is mostly on hold pending a pretrial appeal of an order allowing prosecutor Fani Willis to remain on the case despite what defense attorneys say is a conflict of interest. Trump's attorneys on Wednesday filed a notice with the Georgia Court of Appeals saying a sitting president is completely immune from indictment or any criminal process, state or federal. The filing asks the court of appeals to consider before he becomes president next month whether it has jurisdiction to continue to hear the case. It says the court should conclude that it and the trial court lack jurisdiction as the continued indictment and prosecution of President Trump by the State of Georgia are unconstitutional. Trump's lawyers ask that the appeals court

Trump's Pentagon nominee Hegseth refuses to back down amid growing doubts

Hegseth has denied allegations made in a police report that he sexually assaulted a woman in 2017 at a conference in California

'Trump trade' twists can adversely affect EM investors as dollar drags down

Since the third week of September, the US dollar has strengthened 4.0 per cent against a basket of EM currencies

Trump team allows justice dept to conduct background checks on nominees

President-elect Donald Trump's transition team on Tuesday signed an agreement to allow the Justice Department to conduct background checks on his nominees and appointees after a weeks-long delay. The step lets Trump transition aides and future administration staffers obtain security clearances before Inauguration Day to access classified information about ongoing government programs, an essential step for a smooth transiton of power. It also allows those nominees who are up for Senate confirmation to face the background checks lawmakers want before voting on them. Teams of investigators have been standing by to process clearances for Trump aides and advisers. This agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the America First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day," said Susie Wiles, Trump's designate to be White House chief of staff. The announcement comes a week after t

Donald Trump, Republican senators plan potential agenda for first 30 days

President-elect Donald Trump dialed in to what was described as a love fest Tuesday with Senate Republicans as they begin laying the groundwork for control of government in the new year, and a potential first-30-days agenda. Trump's brief call was more celebratory than a prescriptive policy agenda, according to those attending the private GOP retreat, encouraging the senators to confirm his Cabinet nominees as they launch an agenda of tax cuts, deportations and other priorities. "It was a love fest," said Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo. There was a real sense of unity in the room. The virtual visit comes as Congress is finishing up the final weeks of what, by most measures, has been among the more chaotic sessions in modern times. With the full sweep of party control, Republicans are eager to do better next year with Trump's return to the White House. Republicans want to notch an early accomplishment in the first 30 days after Trump's inauguration Jan. 20. Incoming Senate Republican lead

Netanyahu thanks Donald Trump for warning Hamas to release hostages

Trump made it clear that those responsible for the hostage situation would face severe consequences

Trump may cancel Nasa's moon rocket: What it means for Musk & space travel

No official announcements have been made. However, such a move could be in line with previous speculation that the Trump administration could gut Nasa

Trump names investment banker Warren Stephens as his envoy to Britain

President-elect Donald Trump has named billionaire investment banker Warren Stephens as his envoy to Britain, a prestigious posting for the Republican donor whose contributions this year included $2 million to a Trump-backing super PAC. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social site Monday evening, announced he was selecting Stephens to be the U.S. ambassador to the Court of Saint James. The Senate is required to confirm the choice. Warren has always dreamed of serving the United States full time. I am thrilled that he will now have that opportunity as the top Diplomat, representing the U.S.A. to one of America's most cherished and beloved Allies, Trump said in in his post. Stephens is the chairman, president and CEO of Little Rock, Arkansas-based financial services firm Stephens Inc., having taken over the firm from his father. Trump has already named many of his nominees for his Cabinet and high-profile diplomatic posts, assembling a roster of staunch loyalists. Over the weekend, Trum

Trump picks real estate developer Charles Kushner as his envoy to France

US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday nominated New York real estate developer Charles Kushner as his envoy to France. Kushner is the father of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Jared played a key role in the first term of the Trump Administration including the Israel-Palestine peace plan. He is married to Ivanka Trump, daughter of President-elect Donald Trump. I am pleased to nominate Charles Kushner, of New Jersey, to serve as the US Ambassador to France. He is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests, Trump announced. Charlie is the Founder & Chairman of Kushner Companies, one of the largest & most successful privately held Real Estate firms in the Nation. He was recognized as New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, appointed to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, & served as a Commissioner, & Chairman, of the Port Authority of New York & New