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Trump Administration Sued Over DOGE As Ramaswamy Steps Aside

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Vivek Ramaswamy speaking with attendees at the 2022 AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

President Trump’s new “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) was sued multiple times before his inauguration ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda concluded.

In the moments after Trump’s swearing-in, three lawsuits were filed in D.C.’s federal district court alleging DOGE doesn’t comply with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).

The cases were led by progressive consumer watchdog Public Citizen, the American Public Health Association and National Security Counselors, a public interest law firm. They seek to block co-heads Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy from moving forward or coordinating with the new administration.

Musk and Ramaswamy have pledged ambitious plans to cut $2 trillion in government spending and restructure federal agencies, though Ramaswamy is also planning to run for Ohio governor.

The three cases were some of the first lawsuits filed against the new Trump administration after the president took the oath of office in the Capitol.

The lawsuits come as Ramaswamy is reportedly stepping down from his role to pursue a campaign for governor of Ohio. An official announcement is anticipated by the end of January, signaling a significant shift in the 39-year-old business leader’s political aspirations. (RELATED: Vivek Ramaswamy To Step Away From DOGE: Political Aspirations Take Priority)

Sources close to the situation suggest that frustration has been building among DOGE staffers, as well as Musk himself, over Ramaswamy’s perceived limited engagement in the task force’s operations. “Vivek has worn out his welcome,” a Trump confidant told CBS News, summing up the internal sentiment:

Ramaswamy recently met with Ohio’s sitting governor, Mike DeWine, about the state’s Senate seat left vacant by Vice President-elect JD Vance. But on Friday, DeWine announced he is appointing his lieutenant governor to the post.

Ramaswamy, who sought the GOP nomination in 2024, was at Mar-a-Lago, the president’s West Palm Beach, Florida, estate during the transition. Sources said he was spotted at the bar with Musk one day, scratching out plans for DOGE on a napkin. But the pair haven’t worked closely for a while, sources said.

The decision was reportedly solidified last week when DeWine passed over Ramaswamy in favor of Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted to fill the Senate seat left vacant by Vance. This development appears to have provided Ramaswamy the clarity to shift his focus toward a gubernatorial bid.

Carrie Underwood Sings A Cappella After Tech Issue

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She’s a pro…

During Monday’s Inauguration ceremony, country music star Carrie Underwood was forced to sing “America The Beautiful” a cappella after apparent sound issues

After Trump finished his remarks following the swearing-in ceremony, Underwood entered the Capitol Rotunda with a microphone and prepared to sing.

Music began to play before abruptly cutting off.

Several moments passed as Underwood stood among former presidents, lawmakers, business leaders and other dignitaries in silence, smiling awkwardly.

Television coverage of the proceedings showed Underwood making eye contact with a member of the event’s technical team, and mouthing the words “just sing?” before nodding her head and smiling.

“OK, if you know the words, help me out here,” Underwood said before beginning her rendition.

Watch:

Trump Releases America First Priorities After Being Sworn In, Shuts Down CBP One App

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Shortly after officially being sworn in as 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump issued a number of priorities he plans to enact.

Also, while delivering remarks after being sworn in the President announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.”

Trump administration officials minutes after the new president took office on Monday shut down a mobile app used for migrants to make appointments at the U.S.-Mexico border.

By shutting down the CBP One app, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials essentially canceled all outstanding appointments made by migrants without visas who sought to enter the United States through legal ports of entry.

The app shutdown is part of a series of moves by the incoming administration to crack down on the border.

MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN

  • President Trump will take bold action to secure our border and protect American communities. This includes ending Biden’s catch-and-release policies, reinstating Remain in Mexico, building the wall, ending asylum for illegal border crossers, cracking down on criminal sanctuaries, and enhancing vetting and screening of aliens.
  • President Trump’s deportation operation will address the record border crossings of criminal aliens under the prior administration.
  • The President is suspending refugee resettlement, after communities were forced to house large and unsustainable populations of migrants, straining community safety and resources.
  • The Armed Forces, including the National Guard, will engage in border security, which is national security, and will be deployed to the border to assist existing law enforcement personnel.
  • President Trump will begin the process of designating cartels, including the dangerous Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organizations and use the Alien Enemies Act to remove them.
  • The Department of Justice will seek the death penalty as the appropriate punishment for heinous crimes against humanity, including those who kill law enforcement officers and illegal migrants who maim and murder Americans.
     

MAKE AMERICA AFFORDABLE AND ENERGY DOMINANT AGAIN

  • The President will unleash American energy by ending Biden’s policies of climate extremism, streamlining permitting, and reviewing for rescission all regulations that impose undue burdens on energy production and use, including mining and processing of non-fuel minerals.
  • President Trump’s energy actions empower consumer choice in vehicles, showerheads, toilets, washing machines, lightbulbs and dishwashers.
  • President Trump will declare an energy emergency and use all necessary resources to build critical infrastructure.
  • President Trump’s energy policies will end leasing to massive wind farms that degrade our natural landscapes and fail to serve American energy consumers.
  • President Trump will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord.
  • All agencies will take emergency measures to reduce the cost of living.
  • President Trump will announce the America First Trade Policy.
  • America will no longer be beholden to foreign organizations for our national tax policy, which punishes American businesses.


DRAIN THE SWAMP

  • The President will usher a Golden Age for America by reforming and improving the government bureaucracy to work for the American people. He will freeze bureaucrat hiring except in essential areas to end the onslaught of useless and overpaid DEI activists buried into the federal workforce. He will pause burdensome and radical regulations not yet in effect that Biden announced.
  • President Trump is announcing an unprecedented slate of executive orders for rescission.
  • President Trump is planning for improved accountability of government bureaucrats. The American people deserve the highest-quality service from people who love our country. The President will also return federal workers to work, as only 6% of employees currently work in person.
  • President Trump is taking swift action to end the weaponization of government against political rivals and ordering all document retention as required by law. President Trump is also ending the unconstitutional censorship by the federal government. No longer will government employees pick and require the erasure of entirely true speech.
  • On the President’s direction, the State Department will have an America-First foreign policy.


BRING BACK AMERICAN VALUES

  • The President will establish male and female as biological reality and protect women from radical gender ideology.
  • American landmarks will be named to appropriately honor our Nation’s history.

Watch: 60th Presidential Inauguration Day Begins

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Gage Skidmore Flickr

The historic 60th Presidential Inauguration Day is underway!

Join us as Donald J. Trump takes the oath of office to become the 47th President of the United States. Follow along for every moment of this monumental day live below.

A Day of Tradition and Transition

Earlier this morning, President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived at the White House to meet with the Bidens over tea, a time-honored tradition symbolizing the peaceful transfer of power. Following this meeting, they headed to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony.

Live Coverage from Washington, D.C.

The historic 60th Presidential Inauguration Day is underway! Join us as Donald J. Trump takes the oath of office to become the 47th President of the United States. Catch every moment of this monumental day live below.

A Day of Tradition and Transition

Earlier this morning, President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived at the White House to meet with the Bidens over tea, a time-honored tradition symbolizing the peaceful transfer of power. Following this meeting, they headed to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony.

Biden’s Final Presidential Acts

In a surprising turn of events during his last hours as president, Joe Biden issued a series of preemptive pardons aimed at protecting key figures. Among those pardoned are Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley and members of the Jan. 6 Committee.

These decisions follow President Trump’s flirtation with political retaliation and his selection of Cabinet members known for their firm stances. Biden took to social media platform X to defend these actions, stating:

“A pardon does not imply guilt—it’s a safeguard against baseless investigations that could unjustly damage reputations and finances.”

What’s Next?

With the inauguration of Donald J. Trump marking a new chapter in American politics, speculation surrounds how his administration will quickly establish itself. Stay tuned for the latest updates and analysis as the day unfolds.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

Congressman Resigns From House For Trump Cabinet Role

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Ted Eytan from Washington, DC, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The day is finally here…

On Monday, Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) resigned from the House as he prepares to join President-elect Trump’s Cabinet as national security adviser.

Waltz’s resignation was read on the House floor just over an hour before Trump was scheduled to be sworn in, officially bringing the breakdown in the House to 218 Republicans and 215 Democrats.

“As I prepare to assume my duties as National Security Advisor to the president-elect, Donald J. Trump, I hereby make my resignation official from the U.S. House of Representatives, effective January 20th, 2025,” the letter read. “I intend to serve out my term in the 118th Congress, and to be sworn into the 118th Congress. I have also submitted by notice to Governor Ron DeSantis to advise him on my resignation.”

Trump formally announced in November that he had selected Waltz to join his administration as National Security Adviser.

“Mike is the first Green Beret to have been elected to Congress, and previously served in the White House and Pentagon,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike served in the Army Special Forces for 27 years where he was deployed multiple times in combat for which he was awarded four Bronze Stars, including two with Valor.”

The position of national security adviser is not subject to Senate confirmation, making Waltz part of the Cabinet as soon as Trump takes office. 

Trump kicked off the day with a service at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. before heading to the Capitol.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

Sneak Peek: Trump’s Executive Orders Planned For Day One

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Gage Skidmore Flickr

It’s going to be a busy day!

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are scheduled to be sworn in shortly before noon and then will hit the ground running.

Trump is planning to enact nearly 200 wide-ranging executive actions after his inauguration on Monday.

Among the actions Trump is set to take are declaring a national emergency at the southern border to mobilize the military – and fast-track construction of his border wall – ending birthright citizenship, pausing refugee resettlement programs and designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

A senior administration official, authorized to discuss the plans in an exclusive briefing with Fox News Digital, described the effort as a “massive, record-setting” and “unmatched first wave” of policy directives that will cover immigration, energy, and government reform that rolls back Biden-era policies.

The official told Fox News Digital that the theme of the push was “promises made, promises kept” going on to describe the effort as “a historic series of executive orders and actions that will fundamentally reform the American government.”

Here’s a look at just 31 of those executive actions Trump plans to take significant enough to be mentioned in the brief:

1. End “Catch and Release” – Trump will put an end to the release of undocumented immigrants into the U.S. while they await court hearings.

2. Pause all offshore wind leases – Trump will halt offshore wind energy projects.

3. Terminate the electric vehicle mandate – Trump plans to scrap federal mandates requiring automakers to shift production toward electric vehicles.

4. Abolish the Green New Deal – The administration will repeal policies associated with the Green New Deal, aiming to remove restrictions on traditional energy industries.

5. Withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord – Trump will take immediate steps to pull the U.S. out of the international climate agreement.

6. Declare a national border emergency – Trump will take executive action to declare the situation at the southern border a national emergency.

7. Direct military support to secure the southern border – The Department of Homeland Security and the military will collaborate to tighten security along the U.S.-Mexico border.

8. Establish a national priority to eliminate all criminal cartels – The administration will make fighting cartel activity on U.S. soil a key aim.

9. Close the border to all illegal aliens via proclamation – A presidential proclamation will effectively shut the border to illegal crossings.

10. Create homeland security task forces – Task forces made up of FBI, ICE, and CEA officers will be established to combat criminal cartels.

11. Designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations – This designation will “unlock new authorities” to combat cartels, according to the administration.

12. Reinstate “Remain in Mexico” – The Trump administration will bring back the policy requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims are processed.

13. Construct new border wall sections – Trump will direct the military to expand the border wall infrastructure.

14. Grant emergency authorities to suspend illegal entry – Apprehended individuals will be “swiftly returned to their countries of origin.”

15. “Fully unleash” Alaskan energy – Trump’s energy plan will tap into Alaska’s natural resources to boost national security.

16. Terminate Biden-era energy policies – The administration aims to repeal policies that have “constrained U.S. energy supply.”

17. Reform the federal workforce – Trump will reestablish presidential control over career federal employees.

18. Strengthen presidential control over senior officials – New executive orders will clarify the president’s authority over high-ranking federal employees.

19. Implement a new merit-based hiring review – Federal hiring will be restructured to prioritize merit over other factors.

20. Return federal workers to in-person work – Remote work policies established during the pandemic will be rolled back.

21. End federal government “weaponization” – Trump aims to stop what he calls the “abusive behavior” of federal agencies.

22. Restore freedom of speech – Executive action will be taken to “end federal censorship.”

23. Suspend security clearances of officials involved in Hunter Biden laptop controversy – The security clearances of 51 officials who “lied” about the laptop will be revoked.

24. Establish biological sex definitions – The administration will issue an order defining biological sex in federal policies.

25. Rename the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” – Trump will sign an order changing the name of the large body of water bordering the southern U.S.

26. End all DEI programs in federal government – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs will be eliminated across federal agencies.

27. Establish a hiring freeze in the new Department of Government Efficiency – Trump will pause new hires to reduce government spending.

28. Gain control over foreign aid and NGO funding – The administration will take steps to control how foreign aid is distributed.

29. Remove federal actions that increase costs for families – Agencies will be directed to eliminate regulations that drive up costs for consumers.

30. Extend the TikTok transition period – A new order will delay the enforcement of a law banning the app to allow negotiations.

31. Shield companies from liability over TikTok compliance – Businesses that kept TikTok operational before Trump’s order will face no penalties.

Biden Issues Preemptive Pardons To Siblings, Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, and J6 Panel Members

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The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

With minutes left in his presidency, Joe Biden issued pardons to his family members.

The pardon applies to James Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John Owens, and Francis Biden, the White House announced.

“I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics. But baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families. Even when individuals have done nothing wrong and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage their reputations and finances,” Biden said in a statement.

Hours before Donald Trump’s Inauguration ceremony, President Joe Biden also granted pardons to several public servants, who have faced attacks from the incoming President

President Biden pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and others who some speculated may have faced investigations under the incoming Trump administration on Monday.

“Our nation relies on dedicated, selfless public servants every day. They are the lifeblood of our democracy,” Biden said. “Yet alarmingly, public servants have been subjected to ongoing threats and intimidation for faithfully discharging their duties.”

In addition to the named individuals, the pardon applies to, “Members of Congress and staff who served on the Select Committee, and the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee.”

Notably, Special Counsel Jack Smith, former FBI Director Christopher Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland are not included in the pardon, despite speculation that they may face backlash from the incoming administration.

Milley thanked Biden in a statement on Monday.

“My family and I are deeply grateful for the President’s action today,” he wrote. “After forty-three years of faithful service in uniform to our Nation, protecting and defending the Constitution, I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants me fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights.

“I do not want to put my family, my friends, and those with whom I served through the resulting distraction, expense, and anxiety,” he added.

Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), has been a frequent target of political criticism in recent years as the face of the federal government response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking with ABC News’ chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl, Fauci addressed Biden’s decision, said:

I really truly appreciate the action President Biden has taken today on my behalf. Let me be perfectly clear, Jon, I have committed no crime, you know that, and there are no possible grounds for any allegation or threat of criminal investigation or prosecution of me.

Fauci went on to acknowledge that the mere possibility of prosecution has placed an “immeasurable and intolerable distress” on him and his family.

President-elect Trump told NBC that it was disgraceful President Biden issued the pardons.

“It is disgraceful. Many are guilty of MAJOR CRIMES! DJT” Trump texted NBC’s “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker.

Vivek Ramaswamy Announces Bid For Ohio Governor

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Vivek Ramaswamy speaking with attendees at the 2022 AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Vivek Ramaswamy the co-chair of President-elect Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), plans to run for governor of Ohio, two sources confirmed to The Hill on Friday.

Ramaswamy also ran against Trump in the 2024 Republican primary before eventually suspending his campaign and endorsing the Republican president.

One of the sources said Ramaswamy’s plan was to “get accomplishments at DOGE” and then announce his gubernatorial bid.

Trump tapped Ramaswamy and fellow tech mogul Elon Musk to lead DOGE, an advisory group focused on cutting federal spending. Trump has indicated that DOGE’s work should wrap up in mid-2026, which could be just in time for Ramaswamy to make a potential run.

A second source close to Ramaswamy noted the run would only come after achieving some wins in DOGE for the president and the American people.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

Polar Vortex Forces Trump Swearing-In Ceremony Indoors

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    P0120021CK-1111: President Joe Biden delivers his inaugural address Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

    Change of plans…

    A dangerous winter storm has prompted President Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony to be moved indoors.

    Brutal cold and ferocious winds are forecast for the D.C. region on Monday, with temperatures expected to hover just over 20 degrees, the Washington Post reported.

    The Inaugural Committee has yet to comment on the move.

    This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

    Mark Zuckerberg To Host Trump Inauguration Reception

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    © European Union, 2024, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

    Meta CEO Mark Zuckerburg is co-hosting a black tie reception Jan. 20 after President-elect Trump’s inauguration.

    The tech giant teamed up with Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertita, who is set to become the new U.S. ambassador to Italy, former Republican National Committee finance chair Todd Ricketts and his wife Sylvie Légère, and Republican mega-donor Miriam Adelson to host the event, according to the invitation obtained by NewsNation.

    The soiree is set to last for three-and-a-half hours, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., prior to the evening inaugural balls in Washington, D.C. 

    Zuckerburg’s has recently attended a series of meetings with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort, made a $1 million donation to the inaugural fund and brought a swift end to Meta’s fact-checking program.

    Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is also planning to attend the 60th inauguration following his $1 million contribution to the ceremony.