Politics

Donald Trump to be inaugurated as US president

Published

2 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Donald Trump will be the second president to win non-consecutive terms, returning to office after a four-year hiatus © Bonnie Cash/UPI Photo/IMAGO

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Donald Trump will be sworn in for a second term as president of the United States on Monday, as the world braces itself for the return of an unpredictable leader. Follow DW for the latest.

Donald Trump due to be sworn in as 47th US president at 12 p.m. local time (1700 GMT) Ceremony in Washington, DC to be attended by outgoing President Joe Biden, Argentine President Javier Milei, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and others Trump vows to issue flurry of executive orders on issues ranging from energy to immigration on Monday

Below you can read a roundup of the latest developments regarding Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025:

Inauguration Day: What you need to know

Trump’s swearing-in ceremony is just hours away.

If you’re wondering what happens during the event, who is invited, or who pays for it all, DW has you covered.

We’ve compiled everything you need to know about the inauguration right here.

Can Trump keep pledge to end war in Ukraine?

During the 2024 campaign, Trump repeatedly said he would end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

But since his election, he has not repeated that pledge, and his aides now concede that it will take months to reach a peace agreement.

While there is no fully developed Trump peace plan, most of his key advisers support taking Ukraine’s NATO membership off the table as part of any deal, at least for now. They also broadly support freezing the battle lines at their current locations.

Trump has also indicated that Kyiv may have to cede some territory in order to reach a peace agreement.

In early January, Trump said he was optimistic the war would end within six months. He also said preparations were underway for a meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the Kremlin had received no proposals from Trump’s team for a meeting with Putin.

According to Lavrov, Russia has not yet seen any concrete proposals on how Trump intends to bring the two sides to the negotiating table.

US ties ‘vital,’ says Germany’s chancellor ahead of inauguration

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has stressed the importance of trans-Atlantic relations as well as European self-reliance.

He made the comments in the Rheinische Post newspaper ahead of Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

Scholz said that “trans-Atlantic relations are vital for Germany and Europe.”

He also highlighted the US’ role in the development of democracy in West Germany and NATO’s role as a guarantor of Germany’s security, reaffirming the US as Germany’s closest ally.

“That is why we need stable relations with the US,” he said.

Scholz also emphasized Europe’s strategic advantages, saying that “as a community of more than 400 million Europeans” the region has economic might and can “build on our own strength.”

The chancellor’s remarks came after a cable by the German ambassador to the US was leaked in which he said that Trump’s presidency would be “driven by vengeance” and that the new US president would undermine “fundamental democratic principles.”

What are Trump’s promises on Day 1?

Trump says he plans to issue a flurry of executive orders and directives on issues ranging from energy to immigration after his inauguration.

The incoming president has pledged to deport a record number of immigrants living in the US illegally, and many of the actions he plans to take on his first day as president are aimed at ramping up immigration enforcement.

The executive actions would give federal immigration agents more leeway to arrest people without criminal records, send more troops to the US-Mexico border and restart construction of the border wall. Trump is also expected to declare illegal immigration a national emergency to free up military funds for border wall construction.

On energy, Trump is expected to reduce support for electric vehicles and charging stations and withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, an action he also took during his first term.

Another move Trump could make is to follow through on threats to raise tariffs on imports from America’s largest trading partners.

He has also vowed to sign an executive order ending transgender rights in the US military and in US schools.

Who will be at Trump’s inauguration?

Outgoing President Joe Biden is expected to attend the ceremony, despite Donald Trump’s refusal to appear at Biden’s 2021 inauguration.

All living former presidents — Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama — are expected to attend with their wives, with the exception of Michelle Obama.

Heads of state are not traditionally invited to US presidential inaugurations. But Trump has sent invitations to the presidents of China, El Salvador and Argentina, plus the prime ministers of Italy and Hungary.

Argentine President Javier Milei and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are expected to be present.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend, but sent Vice President Han Zheng to represent him.

Three of the world’s richest men — Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg — will also be in attendance.

Donald Trump to be sworn in as 47th US president

Donald Trump is scheduled to be sworn in for his second term as US president in Washington, DC at 12 p.m. local time (1700 GMT) on Monday.

The inauguration comes two and a half months after the Republican defeated outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election.

The ceremony was originally due to take place outdoors on the west side of the Capitol. However, it was moved indoors due to freezing temperatures in Washington.

After taking the oath of office, administered by Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts, Trump will deliver his inaugural address.

He is only the second president in US history to win non-consecutive terms and return to office after a four-year hiatus. The first was Grover Cleveland in the 1890s.

Outgoing President Joe Biden defeated Trump in 2020 and hoped to repeat the feat in 2024, but stepped down as the Democratic nominee in mid-2024 amid concerns about his age and mental fitness.

Trump, who long refused to concede defeat in the 2020 election, broke with tradition by staying away from Biden’s swearing-in ceremony in January 2021. Biden, however, has said he plans to attend Trump’s inauguration and witness the transfer of power.

dh/nm (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)

Politics

President-Elect Donald Trump’s Inauguration Preparations Underway

Published

5 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Donald Trump

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The stage is set for Donald Trump’s second inauguration as President of the United States, scheduled to take place on January 20, 2025, at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C..

The event marks the commencement of Trump’s second non-consecutive term as U.S. President.

Inauguration Schedule

Swearing-In Ceremony: 12:00 p.m. ET at the United States Capitol, west steps

Signing Ceremony: TBD at the President’s Room

Inaugural Luncheon: TBD at National Statuary Hall

Pass-in-Review: TBD at United States Capitol, east steps

Procession: TBD along Pennsylvania Avenue

Parade: 3:00 p.m. ET along Pennsylvania Avenue

Security and Operations

The United States Capitol Police have conducted an intelligence assessment, warning of potential post-election violence and threats to the inauguration. Twenty-four states have offered National Guard support for the event.

Attendees and Performers

Several notable figures, including outgoing President Joe Biden, former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, are expected to attend the inauguration. However, former First Lady Michelle Obama will not be attending.

Politics

Wike opens up on his health challenges

Published

17 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has addressed circulating rumours about his health.

During a media chat on Sunday, Wike confirmed that he is in good health and fully capable of handling his official responsibilities.

The clarification comes after reports surfaced revealing that Wike was flown to London last week for medical treatment.

These reports alleged that he was rushed abroad for a medical emergency.

Wike refuted these claims, explaining that his ability to perform his duties reflects his good health.

“God has given me good health, that is why I have the energy to do what I am doing…” he submitted.

His media aide, Lere Olayinka, also denied the rumours, questioning their credibility.

Olayinka wondered how Wike was reportedly flown to London on Thursday but was seen visiting various communities in Abuja the following day.

The aide criticized those spreading the rumours, pointing out that the minister is consistently visible, actively engaging in public duties, and attending events, including road project inaugurations.

Speaking via the X platform, Olayinka said, “They are saying that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike was rushed to London for medical attention on Thursday night. They are even quoting time and Aircraft Number.

“Issorite! Sebi Wike was flown to London on Thursday night for urgent medical treatment and he used Witchcraft to come back on Friday to visit Dape Community in Life Camp area, Gishiri and Pigba Sama communities in Abuja on Friday.

“The Minister will also use Witchcraft to come back to Abuja on Monday to start commissioning road projects.

“People who have not done any medical check-up in the last ten years, jumping up and down on the health of a Minister that is seen everyday, doing his job. Make una KONTINU.”

Politics

List of proposed new states in Nigeria

Published

1 day ago

January 19, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The National Assembly is currently reviewing several bills proposing the creation of new states in Nigeria, as part of an ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

These proposals, submitted in 2024 by lawmakers and various interest groups, have either scaled the first or second readings and are awaiting further deliberation and possible approval.

Presently, Nigeria comprises 36 states unevenly distributed across the six geopolitical zones.

The South-South, South-West, North-Central, and North-East zones each have six states, the North-West has seven, while the South-East has five.

Below is a list of proposed states and their sponsors:

1. Ogoja State – To be created from Cross River State, sponsored by Godwin Offiono.

2. Orlu State – To be carved out of Imo, Abia, and Anambra states, sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere and 15 other lawmakers.

3. Anioma State – To be carved out of Delta State, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko.

4. Coastal State – To be created from Ondo State, sponsored by Jimoh Ibrahim.

5. Adada State – To be carved out of Enugu State, sponsored by Senator Okey Ezea.

6. New Oyo State – With Oyo town as the capital; the remaining part of the state will be renamed Ibadan State with Ibadan as its capital, sponsored by Senator Akeem Adeyemi and six others.

7. Etiti State – To be created from the five South-East states, sponsored by Senator Amobi Ogah and four others.

8. Ijebu State – To be carved out of Ogun State, sponsored by Senator Gbenga Daniel. This particular proposal is reportedly gaining significant traction and is expected to receive presidential approval soon.

9. Ife-Ijesa State – To be created from Osun State, sponsored by Senator Oluwole Oke.

10. Oke-Ogun State – To be created from Oyo State, sponsored by Oluwole Oke.

11. Tiga State – To be carved out of Kano State, sponsored by Senator Kawu Sumaila AbdulRahman.

Additional Proposed States

– ITAI State – From Akwa Ibom State.

– State Status for the FCT – Federal Capital Territory.

– Katagum State – From Bauchi State.

– Okura State – From Kogi East.

– Gurara State – From Kaduna South.

– Ghari State – From Kano State.

– Amana State – From Adamawa State.

– Gongola State – From Adamawa State.

– Mambilla State – From Taraba State.

– Savannah State – From Borno State.

– Okun State – From Kogi State.

– Orashi State – From Imo and Anambra states.

– Njaba State – From Imo State.

– Aba State – From Abia State.

– Torogbene and Oil River States– From Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers states.

– Bayajida State – From parts of Katsina, Jigawa, and Zamfara states.

These proposals, if approved, could reshape Nigeria’s political and administrative landscape, addressing calls for equity and representation across the country.