Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, marking the second major event featuring former U.S. leaders and their spouses that she has missed in recent weeks. Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, along with their spouses, are confirmed to attend the swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.
U.S. Capitol flags will be raised to full-staff on January 20 to mark President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the decision Tuesday, temporarily suspending President Joe Biden’s proclamation for flags to remain at half-staff to honor former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced Monday evening that its Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program will extend hotel stays for over 3,000 eligible residents in western North Carolina until January 25. The decision comes amid ongoing recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which struck in late September.
Vice President Kamala Harris has declined the customary invitation for her successor, Senator JD Vance, to visit the vice presidential residence at the Naval Observatory before President-elect Donald Trump's second inauguration on January 20. The decision breaks with a long-standing tradition observed during vice presidential transitions.
Freddie Escobar, president of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles County (UFLAC), criticized Los Angeles leaders for neglecting the city’s fire department, contributing to challenges in combating massive wildfires like the Palisades Fire. The fire has burned 24,000 acres, with another 14,000 acres scorched by the Eaton Fire, exposing severe resource and staffing shortages within the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
Actor and outspoken climate activist Leonardo DiCaprio faced backlash after fleeing Los Angeles wildfires on a private jet. The fires, which began on January 7, have devastated California, destroying 10,000 buildings, killing at least 24 people, and forcing 150,000 residents to evacuate.
Florida district judge Aileen Cannon has approved the Justice Department’s plan to release the first part of special counsel Jack Smith’s report on the investigation into President-elect Donald Trump’s alleged election interference in 2020.
President Joe Biden delivered a speech at the State Department on Monday, reflecting on his foreign policy achievements as his presidency enters its final week.
Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, owner of the Los Angeles Times, admitted Monday that endorsing Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass during the 2022 election was a mistake.
