Tuesday Briefing: Trump takes office

Also, the latest on the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

View in browser|nytimes.com January 21, 2025 By Jonathan Wolfe and Emmett Lindner Good morning. We're covering Donald Trump's return to power and the latest on the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Plus: The competition to be the world's best spreadsheeter. The inauguration of Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. Kenny Holston/The New York Times Trump took office, vowing 'America's decline is over' Donald Trump completed his remarkable return to power yesterday as he was sworn in as the 47th U.S. president. "The golden age of America begins right now," Trump declared in his Inaugural Address, which he delivered at the Capitol shortly after taking the oath of office. Much as he did in his first term, Trump painted a grim portrait of a country on its knees that only he could revive. "From this moment on, America's decline is over," he said. Follow our live updates from Inauguration Day. In his address, Trump vowed to immediately declare a national emergency at the border with Mexico and to send the military to guard it. He said he would end government programs promoting diversity. He also said he would rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America and promised to seize the Panama Canal. A day of firsts: Trump, 78, became the oldest person ever inaugurated as U.S. president, eclipsing Joe Biden, who was five months younger when he took office four years ago. Trump also became only the second U.S. president to reclaim the White House after being defeated for re-election, joining Grover Cleveland. He is the first felon to hold office. First family: Trump's relatives return to Washington with more support — and a far better understanding of how to wield their soft power. Guillermo Arias/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Trump's first act: an immigration crackdown President Trump moved swiftly to close down a government program created by the Biden administration that had allowed migrants to use an app to make an appointment for admission into the United States. Migrants were shocked as the message flashed on their phones: "Existing appointments have been canceled." Trump has promised to deport millions of people who are living in the country without permission. His team said he would sign 10 executive orders cracking down on immigration and immigrants. Climate: Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, the pact among almost all nations to fight climate change. Trade: Trump said that he planned to impose a 25 percent tariff on products from Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1 and might impose levies on most American imports. Jan. 6 attack: Trump pardoned nearly all of the 1,600 rioters of the mob that attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. For more: Here's a list of other actions he is expected to take. Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, yesterday. Haitham Imad/EPA, via Shutterstock Gazans came home to rubble as the cease-fire held Palestinians began to survey the damage to their homes, salvaging what they could from the rubble, as Israelis waited anxiously for news about the health of three recently freed hostages. The cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, which went into effect on Sunday, continued to hold. More than 630 aid trucks entered the Gaza Strip on the first day, according to the U.N. It was the biggest delivery since the start of the war more than 15 months ago. Follow our live updates. Analysis: The war is not over, and the three-phase cease-fire deal is extremely fragile, Steven Erlanger, a former Jerusalem bureau chief, writes. MORE TOP NEWS Andrew Testa for The New York Times Britain: An 18-year-old man pleaded guilty to murdering three girls and trying to kill 10 others during a knife attack in July at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. Colombia: Clashes between armed groups in the northeast region of Catatumbo have left at least 80 people dead and forced more than 11,000 to flee their homes. India: A court handed down a life sentence to Sanjay Roy, who was convicted in the rape and murder of a doctor trainee in Kolkata. Davos: The crowd at the World Economic Forum this year is the same, but the conversation has changed. Here's how. Syria: The mother of Austin Tice, an American journalist abducted in Syria, met with the country's new leader in Damascus. U.S.: Khalid Shaikh Mohammed has agreed to let prosecutors use a confession of his role in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks if his case is settled with a life sentence. SPORTS NEWS Olympics: Medals from the Paris Games are losing their luster. Tennis: A broken net at the Australian Open delayed a fourth-round match between Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune. Soccer: Real Madrid will be without a recognized right-back for its Champions League match against Red Bull Salzburg. Basketball: How Cooper Flagg cemented his status as this year's top N.B.A. draft prospect. MORNING READ Mikayla Whitmore for The New York Times Excel, a spreadsheet program with a function that can perform complex math, is often associated, rightly, with corporate drudgery. But last month, in a Las Vegas e-sports arena, finance professionals fluent in spreadsheets were treated like minor celebrities. They had gathered to solve devilishly complex Excel puzzles in front of a live audience. CONVERSATION STARTERS TikTok or not? There are hints that fashion brands may be pulling away from the app amid its uncertain future in the United States. A video game creator's lament: Jon Ingold, an author of celebrated narrative-driven games, thinks his industry fails to celebrate good writing or recognize it as a craft. Beyond leggings: What other comfortable pants can you wear besides leggings? Our chief fashion critic weighs in. ARTS AND IDEAS MUBI 'Grand Theft Hamlet' During a pandemic lockdown, two out-of-work London actors turned to the video game Grand Theft Auto Online to stage a version of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" entirely within the game's universe. The result is documented in the film "Grand Theft Hamlet," which is part absurdist making-of doc, part postmodern inquiry. In this production, a tortured soliloquy may be interrupted by a rocket launcher fired by a digital avatar wearing a galaxy-print onesie. The film also tracks the struggles of the actors, Sam Crane and Mark Oosterveen, to mount their virtual production, including bizarre online auditions with strangers. The surreal form enlivens Shakespeare and raises fascinating questions about community and connection, our critic wrote. We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. RECOMMENDATIONS James Ransom for The New York Times Make: This vegan green goddess dressing is enhanced by tahini. Watch: Netflix's "Selling the City," the newest offshoot of the "Selling Sunset" franchise, features backstabbing and big commissions. Read: Caleb Femi's poetry collection "The Wickedest" chronicles one night at a house party in South London. Protect: Do LED face masks work? We asked dermatologists and plastic surgeons for their take. Play the Spelling Bee. And here are today's Mini Crossword and Wordle. You can find all our puzzles here. That's it for today's briefing. See you tomorrow. — Jonathan and Emmett Reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. 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