Good morning, all. Divya here. I’ll be filling in for Jess until March. Now let’s get into the news.
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NEED TO KNOW
Chip Somodevilla/Pool via AFP via Getty Images
What were the executive orders Trump signed?
Donald Trump was sworn in yesterday at the Capitol Rotunda as the 47th president of the United States, marking the beginning of his second term in office. Here’s everything you might have missed.
Inaugural address: Trump declared that “the golden age of America begins right now” as his family — including first lady Melania, who wore an Adam Lippes coat and a wide-brim hat, and 18-year-old son Barron — sat nearby. [Yahoo News/Yahoo Entertainment]
Who was there: Barack Obama, the Clintons and the Bushes attended the ceremony, along with several billionaire tech CEOs and Trump allies like Joe Rogan. Carrie Underwood helped close the ceremony with “America the Beautiful.” Watch it here. [AP/Yahoo Entertainment]
Executive actions: Trump signed dozens of orders that included a crackdown on immigration and birthright citizenship, and withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement. He also pardoned nearly all of those charged in connection to the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021. [Reuters]
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Monday in Houston, Texas. [David J. Phillip/AP]
🥶 Southern freeze
The National Weather Service warned of a “generational winter storm event” in the South as a storm, combined with arctic air, is predicted to bring snowfall and freezing rain from Texas to South Carolina through tomorrow morning. [CNN]
🌫️ California fire weather
Forecasters again issued the most severe red flag warning in Southern California through this morning as they warned that conditions were “ripe for explosive fire growth” amid a second day of heavy winds and low humidity. [AP]
➡️ Musk’s controversial salute
Elon Musk sparked backlash at a rally for Trump after making a gesture that people say resembled the Nazi salute. The Anti–Defamation League defended Musk, calling it an “awkward gesture made in a moment of enthusiasm.” [Time]
🏈 Buckeyes’ title drought ends
Ohio State roared to a 34-23 win against Notre Dame, their first championship since 2014. A highlight: Ohio QB Will Howard set a record for the most consecutive completions in a title game. [Yahoo Sports]
🎬 ‘The Brutalist’ plays defense
Amid controversy over the use of AI to smooth over the Hungarian accents of stars Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones in the awards season contender The Brutalist, director Brady Corbet said it was done with “utmost respect for the craft.” [Deadline]
WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY
📺 On the tube, The Joe Schmo Show, a revival of the 2000s reality TV hoax series, premieres at 9 p.m. ET on TBS. Watch the trailer. [Variety]
🏀 On the court, the Nets welcome former defender Mikal Bridges back to Brooklyn when they face the Knicks at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT. [Daily News]
☀️ And don’t forget to: Read your daily horoscope. Play the Crossword. Check the forecast in your area.
TODAY IN HISTORY
Illustration: Yahoo News; photo: Bettmann Archive via Getty Images
In 1942, New York City became the first of several cities across the U.S. to ban pinball machines, which had been tied to gambling and crime. The bans were lifted in the 1970s, and since then, the wild and quirky world of pinball has thrived. [ConsumerQueen]
3 QUESTIONS
…about Trump’s first 100 days
I asked Andrew Romano, who covers politics for Yahoo News, about what to expect now that Trump is back in power.
Divya: Trump has signed dozens of executive orders. Which ones might have the greatest impact?
Andrew: Some of his executive orders, like renaming the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America,” are more symbolic than anything else. Others will have an immediate effect, like the (temporary) pause on the TikTok ban and his mass deportation order, which will trigger raids and send resources to the border.
Divya: What are Republicans’ plans now that Trump is back and they have majorities in Congress?
Andrew: The GOP majorities are slim, which makes big, quick moves unlikely. Step one for Senate Republicans will be getting Trump’s Cabinet picks confirmed. In the House, Speaker Mike Johnson wants to pass one big MAGA bill but he doesn’t expect a final vote until the spring.
Divya: During Trump’s campaign, there was lots of talk of Project 2025. Is that still a thing?
Andrew: Trump has already nominated several Project 2025 contributors to positions of power. Russell Vought, his would-be budget director, wrote a chapter for it. Trump’s border czar Tom Homan and his deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller also contributed. But their specific plans remain unclear.
Go deeper: Here’s a list of the executive actions Trump has already taken.
FEEL-GOOD MOMENT
A TikTok video of Madison Peltzer’s 6-month-old son recently went viral after she revealed that he weighs 31 pounds and said he’s in the 99th percentile for “everything” — qualities that caught the attention of the NFL’s Detroit Lions, which commented: “Dibs.” [People]
Have a great day! See you tomorrow.
💡 P.S. Before you go, your daily advice: It’s super cold outside. If you have a car, you should avoid leaving any electronics — among other things — inside. [USA Today]
About The Yodel: The Yodel is a morning newsletter from Yahoo News.
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