Donald Trump signs a slew of executive actions hours after he was sworn in as president. A winter storm is expected to drop snow from Texas to Florida. And controversy is brewing around the use of artificial intelligence in “The Brutalist.”
Here’s what to know today.
Trump pardons Jan. 6 defendants, targets immigration on Day 1
When Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States yesterday, he declared that the “golden age of America begins right now.” By the end of his first day in office, Trump had signed a flurry of executive orders that would deliver on promises he made on the campaign trail to push his agenda on immigration, climate change and more. Among the biggest actions on his first day back in office:
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Read more about Trump’s most notable Day 1 executive orders here.
The orders were part of a day of pomp and circumstance in Washington, D.C., that included past presidents, all nine Supreme Court justices, lawmakers, CEOs and family members witnessing Trump taking his oath of office, his supporters packing the Capital One Arena for an indoor parade and an inaugural ball where he and first lady Melania Trump shared the first dance.
More politics news:
- The Senate unanimously voted 99-0 to approve Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state, becoming the first of Trump’s Cabinet picks to be confirmed. Meanwhile, Senate committees voted to advance four other Trump nominees, including Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense.
- Minutes before he left office, Biden announced pre-emptive pardons for his family members after some on the right suggested they should face prosecution. A few hours earlier, Biden issued pardons for Dr. Antony Fauci, members and staff of the committee that investigated Jan. 6, and others.
- Photos show how people celebrated and protested Trump’s return to office.
- Vivek Ramaswamy plans to run for governor in Ohio and leave the newly established DOGE, which he had been tapped to lead alongside Elon Musk.
- The Senate voted to pass the Laken Riley Act, the first piece of legislation congressional Republicans are hoping to send to Trump for his signature.
Winter storm hits Gulf Coast states
Snowfall in the Houston area has prompted the closure of both of the city’s major airports this morning, as more than 55 million people throughout the Gulf Coast region braced for this week’s a historic winter storm. The storm could be crippling for this area of the U.S., where most cities do not have snow plows.
The National Weather Service predicts snow will fall along the Interstate 10 corridor from New Orleans to the Florida Panhandle, and icy conditions will be seen in Tallahassee and Jacksonville, Florida. Freezing rain threatens to stretch north into coastal Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, forecasters said.
Ohio State defeats Notre Dame for college football title
Ohio State won the College Football Playoff championship game Monday, beating Notre Dame 34-23 for the 2025 title. The Buckeyes raced out to a hot start, taking a 31-7 lead before the Fighting Irish mounted a major comeback in the second half, bringing the game as close as 31-23 before surrendering a late field goal.
The star of the game was Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins, who scored three of the team’s four touchdowns. Judkins ran for 100 yards on 11 carries, with two scores. He also caught two passes for 21 yards and another touchdown. Judkins made one of the game’s best plays — a 70-yard run in the third quarter that set up the Buckeyes’ fourth score of the night.
The expanded playoff field, from four to 12 teams, ended up helping No. 8 seed Ohio State, which dropped its final game of the season against its bitter rival, the Michigan Wolverines. The Buckeyes defeated the Tennessee Volunteers, Oregon Ducks and Texas Longhorns en route to the title game. Read more highlights from last night’s game.
Read All About It
- At least one American detained in Afghanistan was released in an apparent prisoner exchange with the Taliban, according to his family.
- Cecile Richards, a woman rights activist and former president of Planned Parenthood, has died at the age of 67.
- A pair of young siblings who were reported missing in Ohio in October were found in Iceland, U.S. officials said.
- Palestinians are finally able to return to their Gaza homes — only to find them reduced to ruins.
Staff Pick: ‘Brutalist’ hit with backlash over AI
It wouldn’t be Hollywood without some extra drama. Just as the Oscars race is set to officially kick off with Thursday’s nominations, controversy is brewing around one of the frontrunners, “The Brutalist.” Reporter Rebecca Cohen and entertainment correspondent Chloe Melas break down why the use of artificial intelligence in the post-World War II film starring Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, particularly when it came to how the actors sounded, struck a nerve. — Jamie Knodel, news editor
NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified
Planning a ski trip for the whole family? NBC Select spoke with outdoor experts to find the best kids snow pants and bibs. And to keep your skin moisturized during the dry winter season, these shower oils can help.
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