The Boston Chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL)’s “We Fight Back” rally took shape around 3 p.m. Monday afternoon, with more than 300 attendees gathering outside the JFK Federal Building. 

The rally largely serves as a protest against Trump’s inauguration and to “defeat Trump’s billionaire agenda,” according to an Instagram post from Boston PSL this morning.

The rally had more than 20 supporting organizations, including the Boston Coalition for Palestine, Vote No Preference MA, and the Workers Party of Mass. 

Demands of the supporting organizations include reallocating funds for “human needs” instead of international wars, ending police brutality, and resisting deportations and raids that were promised by Trump on the campaign trail. 

President Trump signed various documents in the Capitol related to cabinet-level appointments, joined by members of Congress from both political parties. 

One document concerned 47 sub-cabinet appointments, while another ordered that all flags be flown at full staff on inauguration day going forward, including today. Flags were previously flown at half-staff to honor the life of former president Jimmy Carter, who passed away Dec. 29.

Fact-checking claims made by Trump in his speeches earlier this afternoon.

Claim: 38,000 Americans died during the building of the Panama Canal.

False. According to the NIH, the official death toll for the American construction effort behind the Panama Canal stands at about 5,600 people.

Claim: Massive overspending and energy crisis caused “record inflation.”

False. While U.S. inflation did have a four-decade high in summer 2022, when it was 9.1%, the highest inflation rate in the country was 23.7% in June 1920. 

Claim: The 2020 election was “rigged.” Trump made this claim while speaking to supporters in Emancipation Hall moments after being sworn in. “2020, by the way, that election was totally rigged but that’s OK. That was a rigged election,” he said.

False. Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, securing 306 Electoral College votes to Trump’s 232.

Robert G. Salesses, deputy director of the Pentagon’s Washington Headquarters Service, will temporarily lead the Department of Defense as Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s pick, works to secure a confirmation by the Senate, two defense officials confirmed to the Associated Press.

Salesses’s appointment, first reported by NBC, allows him to oversee all of the capitol region support services. The Pentagon official served as a Marine in the Gulf War, where he earned a Bronze Star Medal, which is given to service members who perform heroic service.

Hegseth, who most recently worked as a Fox News political commentator, has been a hotly contested choice for defense secretary. During his Senate confirmation hearing last week, Hegseth answered questions ranging from his military service to allegations of sexual assault.

Following President Trump’s inauguration ceremony, supporters are excited for the future of the country under his administration.

“We’re ready to see the insanity disappear and return back to the norms that this country has been accustomed to,” said Howard, a Trump supporter who drove from Atlanta for the Inauguration. “This is very historic, [and] I think this will bring about major changes in the country.”

When asked what they were most looking forward to with the new administration, Howard and Bruce Langlois, who flew in from Michigan, told The Beacon that Trump’s stances on climate change, birthright citizenship, and border control were particularly appealing.

“End[ing] the carbon footprint, that’s stupid, all the grants they get for windmills and solar, they’re building solar farms all over Michigan,” Langlois said. “We get 60 sunny days a year, but they do it because they get rebates, not because it’s efficient.”

Howard also referred to birthright citizenship as an “abuse” of the U.S. immigration system. 

“Pregnant Mexican women have been traveling to the border of the United States for the last 50 years, across the border for the day to have a baby just so that their child can have US citizenship, that’s just pure abuse of our system,” said Howard.

Howard and Langlois also referenced the Jan. 6 insurrection, explaining that they hope to see those who took part pardoned and the election system changed.

“I hope he pardons all the J6ers, that was such a scam and a setup,” said Howard. “I hope he revamps the election system, goes back to paper ballots so the election is pure and honestly held.”

The Trump administration removed CBP One, an app used by undocumented migrants to submit their information and schedule appointments at eight southwest border ports of entry, according to the Customs and Border Control website. All existing appointments have also been canceled. 

“I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places in which they came,” Trump said moments after being sworn into office. 

The mobile app was launched by the Biden administration last year. The app has allowed nearly 1 million people to legally enter the United States with eligibility to work. Migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela were given sponsors in the U.S. to begin the process of getting temporary status in the country for two years.

Heads of state from around the world were quick to congratulate President Trump on his return to the White House. 

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said on X that Trump is “always decisive, and the peace through strength policy he announced provides an opportunity to strengthen American leadership and achieve a long-term and just peace.” 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a strong ally of President Trump, credited the U.S. President with the recent return of three hostages held in the Gaza Strip since the Oct. 7, 2023 attack in Israel. 

“I believe that working together again we will raise the U.S.-Israel alliance to even greater heights,” Netanyahu added. 

Turkey’s president, Tayyip Erdogan, said he has faith that Trump will end the Russia-Ukraine war and said that “Turkey will do whatever necessary in this regard.” He added that he wishes Trump’s second term would bring “good for all humanity.” 

Mark Rutte, NATO’s secretary general, has also praised Trump’s security promises and tweeted that “together we can achieve peace through strength—through NATO.” 

Other notable figures, including King Charles III of the U.K., European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have also congratulated the newly sworn-in president.

Following his swearing-in ceremony, President Trump addressed a smaller crowd in the Capitol’s Emancipation Hall. He congratulated House Speaker Mike Johnson for his reelection to the position with a 220-vote majority.

In the moments before President Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president of the U.S., former president Joe Biden ended his one-term presidency with preemptive pardons to members of his family, including his siblings, after critics on the far-right suggested the Biden family should be prosecuted.

“My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me — the worst kind of partisan politics,” the former president said in a statement released at 11:30 a.m., during the inauguration ceremony. “Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end.”

The pardons quickly came under fire from Republicans, who noted the hypocrisy of the move, pointing to a statement made by then-Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer in 2020 that warned then-former president Trump against pardoning family members, lest it look like an abuse of power. 

In December, Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, of federal gun and tax charges after repeatedly saying he wouldn’t.

Following the National Anthem, the Capitol Rotunda burst into cheers. Former president Biden was seen sitting solemnly in his chair as President Trump greeted his supporters on his way out. 

The Bidens, former Vice President Harris, former Second Gentleman Emhoff, Vice President Vance, and Second Lady Usha Vance followed closely behind newly-sworn President and First Lady Trump. 

After exiting the building, the Trumps and Bidens, in traditional practice, shared a last farewell and embraced the current and former vice presidents and their families. They then walked alongside each other toward a helicopter and shook hands. The former president and former first lady then entered the helicopter and left the premises as part of the ceremony.

Yeshiva University President Ari Berman started the series of benedictions, which all highlighted hope for justice, peace, and unity. “Unite us around our foundational, biblical values… especially of faith and morality,” Rabbi Berman said, going on to mention the unrest on college campuses as well as the Israeli hostages. 

In his prayer, Rev. Mann thanked Trump’s parents, Frank and Mary Trump, whom, he said, without there “would never be the miracle that has just begun.”

He ended his speech by quoting President Trump: “As long as we have pride in our beliefs, courage in our conviction, and faith in our God we will not fail. We stand tall, we stand proud because we are Americans and Americans kneel to God.”

As Trump concluded his inaugural address inside the Capitol rotunda, he called Jan. 20 “liberation day,” as he pointed to and celebrated the resilience of the American people.

Trump explained how America’s history, such as claiming the West, is proof of the people’s strength and that it is this strength that will ensure that “we will not be intimidated, we will not be broken, and we will not fail.” 

He vowed to “plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars,” hinting at Elon Musk’s desire to explore and colonize Mars.

In his inaugural address, President Trump said that as commander in chief, he will start signing executive orders today that will bring a  “revolution of common sense.” He began with a list of executive order changes focusing on immigration policies.

Trump promises to declare a national emergency at the southern border, reinstating the “remain in Mexico” policy, sending troops to the southern border, and reinstate the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which authorized the arrest, relocation, or deportation of any male over the age of 14 who hailed from a foreign enemy country. 

Trump also promised to declare a “National energy emergency,” which will allow for more energy production. He also talked about ending what he called “an electric vehicle mandate,” seemingly referring to a rule by the Environmental Protection Agency that requires auto manufacturers to cut greenhouse gas emissions by half in new light- and medium-duty vehicles beginning in 2027.

He said other executive orders would aim to “Immediately stop all government censorship and bring back free speech to America” as well as “bring law and order back to our cities.” He also promised to end the effort to “socially engineer race and gender in every aspect of public and private life,” forge a society that is “color-blind and merit-based,” and enact a policy that recognizes only two genders in the United States, male and female.

Trump also addressed the current ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza, emphasizing how he sees himself as being the “peacemaker and unifier”, outwardly taking credit for the current deal.

President Trump opened his second presidency with the words: “The Golden Age of America begins right now.”

Trump continued, stating that his top priority is to “create a nation that is proud, prosperous and free,” so that the United States will be the “envy of every nation.”

In the address, Trump emphasized that the United States has been diminished by the past Biden administration which he views has put the nation in “a crisis of trust” and has been “a radical and corrupt establishment that has power from our citizens.”

In support of his statements, Trump cited his perceived mishandling of Hurricane Helene which affected both Florida and North Carolina stating; “our country can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency” and that “we have a public health system that does not deliver in times of disaster.”

Trump concluded the first part of his address by referencing his assassination attempt on Sept. 15, 2024, stating that he was “saved by God to make America great again.” The statement drew loud cheers both within and outside the Capitol.

Sen. Deb Fischer introduced Donald Trump ahead of his inaugural address.

“It is my honor and pleasure to introduce to you the 45th and 47th president of the US, Donald J. Trump,” she said.

Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States Monday afternoon by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. The president was surrounded by family members, including First Lady Melania Trump, sons Barron Trump and Donald Trump Jr., among others.

“I Donald John Trump do solemnly swear that I, will support and defend the Constitution of the United States, and that I faithfully execute the office of President of the United States. So help me God,” Trump recited.  

After the ceremony, Barron Trump leaned across the podium to shake former President Joe Biden’s hand.

Flanked by President-elect Trump, Second Lady Usha Vance, and his children, Vice President-elect Vance was sworn into office by Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh, appointed to the high court during Trump’s first term.

As the swearing-in ceremony commences, hundreds of people gather outside the U.S. Capitol building to show support for Trump. 

Spectators are seen watching the ceremony on their phones and waving Trump signs. Most of them are wearing coats and hats as they brave the cold that has driven the ceremony inside.

Sen. Deb Fischer spoke to inauguration attendees and emphasized that Trump was chosen by the American people.

“In November America chose him to steer this nation,” said Fischer, “Today we celebrate not only their decision to do so but also the simple right and wisdom of a free people to make their own choice so that their nation might endure.”

Fischer recognized the importance of this being the 60th inauguration ceremony in the United States stating that “like all the others before it it is a celebration to set our uniquely American course.”

Sen. Amy Klobuchar calls to order the “peaceful transfer of power” between President-elect Trump and President Joe Biden at the 60th presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. 

The theme of this year’s inauguration is “our enduring democracy,” Klobuchar said in her opening speech. This year’s inauguration comes as the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, which secured independence from the British, approaches.

Klobuchar concluded by recognizing the work of the firefighters in Los Angeles and the rest of the working-class of America. 

“As we inaugurate a new president and vice president, let’s remember that the power that comes within this room comes from the people,” Klobuchar said.

Trump and Vance took their seats on the inaugural platform in the Rotunda ahead of being sworn in on Monday.

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took their seats on the inaugural platform ahead of Trump and Vance’s swearing-in ceremony. This marked the last time “Hail to the Chief” will be played for Biden while he is in office.

At the ceremony, the billionaire CEOs of Meta, X, and Amazon sat in front of the president-elect’s entire Cabinet. Various athletes, team owners, and executives were also in attendance, including UFC CEO Dana White, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, fighters Jake and Logan Paul, and NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown.

President-elect Trump announced the change of inauguration venues on Truth Social Friday, citing “very cold weather” as the reason. 

In his post, Trump also announced that supporters would still be able to watch the ceremony from Capital One Arena, which holds a maximum of 20,000 people in downtown Washington. This significantly reduces the capacity of attendees compared to the National Mall, where permits submitted for the inauguration estimated roughly 30,000 people would be in the ticketed area, and 250,000 people in the public, non-ticketed area

President Joe Biden and President-elect Trump arrived together in a shared limousine to attend today’s swearing-in ceremony. 

It has been a tradition for the outgoing president to accompany the president-elect to the Capitol since 1837. This is the first time Biden and Trump have carried out this tradition after Trump chose not to participate four years ago during Biden’s swearing-in ceremony.

President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden greeted President-elect Trump and incoming First Lady Melania Trump at the White House ahead of Trump’s inauguration. 

Biden said “Welcome home” to the Trumps as they approached the White House staircase. Biden also left Trump a letter inside a drawer of the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, a customary tradition between presidential transitions of power.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff greeted Vice President-elect Vance and incoming Second Lady Usha Vance ahead of Vance’s swearing-in ceremony later today.

President-elect Trump spoke at a rally at the Capitol One Arena in DC ahead of his inauguration on Monday. Trump took to the stage for approximately one hour, laying out some of his priorities for his second term. 

“I will outline in my inaugural address tomorrow … the most aggressive, sweeping effort to restore our borders the world has ever seen,” Trump said. 

Trump then went on to list a “laundry list” of items he hopes to address in his second term. 

“We will get critical race theory and transgender insanity the hell out of our schools, [and] we will keep men out of women’s sports,” Trump said. “I will defend religious liberty, restore freedom of speech, and I will defend the right to keep and bear arms.” 

Trump was notably not flanked by his running mate, Vice President-elect Vance. He was instead watching from the audience. Billionaire Elon Musk made an appearance onstage nearly thirty minutes into Trump’s speech.

Following tradition, President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Incoming First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance were present among other family members and cabinet picks.