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Today, Donald J. Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. According to polls, Trump is the least liked incoming president in modern times. This upset was a devastating blow to many on both sides of the political aisle. On the right, some fell in love. Others have simply fallen in line. On the left, some search for common ground. Others are grounded in the resistance. Regardless of where you fall on that spectrum, watching President Barack Obama turn over the country to Donald Trump will stir emotion in us all. As the transition of power commences, we say to President Obama: Thank you. Your historic administration brought an inclusive spirit to this city, the country, and the world. Your family exhibited nothing but grace and dignity. Your presidency changed the narrative of politics forever. You made the country proud. And now, a new era begins...
My Fellow Americans
President Barack Obama wrote a final thank you note on Thursday as he prepares to turn the Oval Office over to Donald Trump. Obama wrote the message ahead of writing his note to Trump that is customary of outgoing presidents. To us he writes, “Because all that I’ve learned in my time in office, I've learned from you,” he wrote. “You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.” Read the full text of the letter here.
No Latinos in Trump Cabinet
Meanwhile, Trump has not taken office yet but has managed to exclude the Latino community from his Cabinet. With the announcement of Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue’s as Trump's pick for Secretary of Agriculture, it is confirmed that, for the first time in 30 years, a presidential Cabinet will be without Latino representation. "We’re extremely worried,” said Héctor Sánchez, chairman of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda. “Trump has not only been the most anti-Latino, anti-immigrant president in the history of the nation, (but) by not including Latinos in his Cabinet, he is just showing how he plans to govern." More here.
CHC Chair Weighs In
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Michelle Luján Grisham (D-NM) says, "Mr. Trump's decision to exclude Hispanics from serving in his Cabinet is inexcusable and deeply damaging to our representative democracy. The President-Elect has dangerously signaled that the people who advise the President do not need to represent all of America.” Click here to read the entire statement.
Anti-Muslim, LGBT Preacher Will Pastor to Trump Before Inauguration
And there’s more. A pastor with a long history of inflammatory remarks about Muslims, Mormons, Catholics and gays is scheduled to preach at a private service for PEOTUS and his family on Friday, shortly before Trump takes the oath of office. Rev. Robert Jeffress is a Southern Baptist who vigorously campaigned for Trump during the final months of the presidential election and is a member of his evangelical advisory board. More here.
Cleaver Attends Inauguration
Now that we’ve told you who’s skipping, here’s a look at who’s going: Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver (D-MO). He says his attendance “will disappoint friends, supporters and even some family members…Nevertheless, I will attend the inauguration.” He explains his decision here.
Moore Shows Trump the Resistance
He won’t be alone. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI) says she’s attending to show Trump the resistance. “As a proud Democrat, I want President-elect Trump to see me front and center as he’s sworn in,” Moore said in a statement. “I want him to see exactly what his opposition looks like. When he sees me, I want him to see The Resistance.” More here.
Tribal Leaders on Ground for Trump Inaugural Activities
The top two leaders of the Navajo Nation will be among those who descend on DC for activities surrounding the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye was invited to the inauguration by the Republican National Committee. "We have a number of meetings -- these are Native American national groups -- that want to pull together principles, goals for the Trump administration that we will present in the various meetings that are taking place prior to the inauguration," Begaye said. The tribal president added he will meet with the National Congress of American Indians, the Coalition of Large Tribes, the National Indian Health Board, and the National Indian Education Association. Navajo Nation Council Speaker LoRenzo Bates said he and several council delegates will also attend meetings and inaugural activities. More here.
Chrisette Michele Is Performing
R&B singer and self-proclaimed “no political genius” Chrisette Michele is performing at a concert on the National Mall during the inauguration. Michele posted an open letter yesterday entitled “We can’t be present if we’re silent,” in which she quotes Martin Luther King, Jr. as she justifies her involvement: “Our lives begin to end, the day we become silent about what matters,” repeating what King once said. “I am willing to be a bridge,” Michele wrote. “I don’t mind ‘These Stones’, if they allow me to be a voice for the voiceless.” More here.
DeploraBall
Anti-Trump protesters jeered and screamed at supporters of the president-elect outside the “DeploraBall” at the National Press Club on Thursday night, in one case throwing an object that struck a counter-protester in the head. More here.
Hard Times Getting Rid of Inauguration Tickets
Some flippers, who acquired tickets to Trump's inauguration with the intent of reselling them on the secondary market, are striking out in their efforts to peddle them, and are now looking at some relatively "yuge" losses. Yossi Rosenberg, 36, of upper Manhattan, told the New York Daily News he bought a pair of tickets to Friday's event from a woman in Westchester County for $700, thinking he could flip them for at least twice as much. But nobody's biting. "Nobody wants to buy them," he says. "It looks like I'm stuck with them." More here.
Will Trump Follow Through on all His Day One promises? Doesn't Look Like It.
Here’s what he promised would happen on day one: Begin building a wall at the nation’s southern border, end the “war on coal,” label China a currency manipulator. The list went on and on. But now, as Trump prepares to take the oath of office today, his Day One executive actions and policy plans are a closely held secret, and another prop in the Donald Trump show waiting to be unveiled with his trademark flourish and fanfare. More here.
Obama Holdovers Helping Trump
President-elect Trump has asked roughly 50 senior Obama administration officials to remain in their roles in order to "ensure the continuity of government." The decision comes as Trump is reportedly struggling to fill important posts in his new administration. Among the Obama holdovers are key national security officials, including Brett McGurk, special envoy to the global coalition fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The move is somewhat surprising, given Trump’s repeated criticism of Obama’s effort to combat the terrorist group. He called the president "the founder of ISIS" during a campaign event last April. More here.
The America Donald Trump Is Inheriting, By The Numbers
When he takes the oath of office today, Trump will inherit a far different country than President Obama did eight years ago. It's a nation that is far more solid in some ways (economics) and shakier in others (terrorist attacks). NPR gathered dozens of statistics to show how the nation that Trump inherits (and the rest of the world) has changed. More here. Cultural Dark Age
T he Trump transition team is considering privatizing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CBP) and eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). More here.
POTUS’ Personal Office
President Obama has tapped Eric Schultz, currently his principal deputy press secretary, as a senior adviser at his new personal office in Washington. Schultz will develop a strategy for Obama’s public profile and coordinate with Democrats on Capitol Hill, and activists and alumni from the White House and his campaigns. More here.
Malia Lands Internship with Hollywood Big Wig
President Obama isn't the only one making post White House plans. The New York Post's Page Six is reporting that first daughter Malia Obama’s already landed a plum gig for some time in the future -- an internship with Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. More here.
Votes Happening Today on Trump Cabinet Picks
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Thursday that he expected votes today on retired Gens. John Kelly to be the next Homeland Security Secretary and James Mattis to lead the Defense Department. Schumer also said debate will begin on Kansas Congressman Mike Pompeo’s nomination to be the CIA director, with a vote possible today or early next week. More here.
Dems Aim to Reopen Flint Water Crisis Invesitgation
Dems on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee want to reopen its investigation into the Flint, MI, water crisis, according to a letter written by ranking member Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD). “When you traveled to Flint on March 12, 2016, you said you wanted to know ‘who knew what and when and what did they do,’ ” the Democrats wrote in their Jan. 17 letter to committee chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT). Unfortunately, prematurely closing the investigation last month without obtaining key documents and hearing from dozens of officials contradicts this promise.” More here.
Jayapal’s Time in Congress So Far
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) said her first week in Washington was a mix of the mundane -- unpacking, figuring out which old photos left over from fellow Washingtonian and now-retired Congressman Jim McDermott to keep in the office -- and the emotional. Last Monday, she said, she carried the weight of "waking up and realizing I was going to have an office in this building I’ve come to so many times on issues I care about." More here.
Don’t Come For Congresswoman Waters
Elle Magazine says, “Honey, Maxine Waters is not the one. You may have been told that she is the one but you were lied to. She would like to cordially invite you to not come for her unless she sends for you.” The California congresswoman doesn't care who you are --member of the press, president-elect, young pope, Alexander Hamilton -- she's going to let you have it. She is going to take you down a peg. There are no pegs left in Washington. The town is peg deficient. See full article here.
Obama Grants Final 330 Commutations to Nonviolent Drug Offenders
On his last full day in office, President Obama yesterday announced 330 more commutations, bringing his total number of clemencies to 1,715. He has granted commutations to more people than the last 12 presidents combined, including 568 inmates with life sentences. His final group was the most Obama granted in a single day. More here.
Gitmo
President Obama revealed Thursday that four more detainees have been transferred out of the Guantánamo Bay detention facility as he took a parting shot at Congress for blocking his eight-year effort to close the prison. More here.
Beyoncé Shouts Out Women’s March
Okay ladies, now let’s get in formation. Beyoncé posted a message of support on Facebook writing this: “Together with Chime for Change, we raise our voices as mothers, as artists, and as activists. As#GlobalCitizens, we can make our voices heard and turn awareness into meaningful action and positive change. #WomensMarch.” See here.
Janaye Ingram: Why We March
The Women’s March is not about protesting the seemingly misogynistic rhetoric associated with the incoming administration. Rather, it's about moving forward and becoming the change you'd like to see in the world. "We, the national committee members for the March, want everyone to be positive, affirming and to understand that they have an obligation to the greater movement. They have to be dedicated to improving the lives of all people in this country," noted Janaye Ingram, the head of logistics for the national Women's March. She tells ESPNW why she marches. Read the full article here.
Grandmother-In-Chief
Marian Robinson spoke with Essence Magazine to reflect on her time in the White House saying, “my biggest blessing is watching my granddaughters grow up.” They reflect on the interview as the First Family leaves the White House. See more here.
LePlayed Yourself
On a radio interview last weekend, Maine Gov. Paul LePage said Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) should remember that Republicans were the advocates for civil rights. “It was Abraham Lincoln who freed the slaves, it was Rutherford B. Hayes and Ulysses S. Grant who fought against Jim Crow laws,” LePage said. “A simple thank you would suffice.” On Wednesday, LePage said he would not apologize for the remarks. “As a matter of fact, I would tell the NAACP they need to apologize to the northern white people who fought and gave their lives to free them,” LePage said. More here.
Spotted
Obama alumni Rick Wade and David Hinson having drinks at Ocean Prime on Wednesday evening.
David Sutphen with wife Tina, and Brickson Diamond at the Salt Lake City airport heading to Sundance.
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Top Five The Washington Post details exactly what happens at the White House during the transition of power. Here’s a snapshot of what the day will look like at the White House.
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This morning the staff gathers in the State Dining Room to say goodbye to the First Family and give them a special gift. The moment is always bittersweet.
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Cup of Joe
At around 9:30A, POTUS and FLOTUS will welcome Donald and Melania Trump in the Blue Room for coffee. They are joined by the incoming and outgoing vice presidents and their spouses, and a congressional escort. By 10:30A, they will leave through the North Portico, and limousines will carry them to the Capitol. Now it’s go time for the staff.
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The Residence
The residence has as many as 16 bedrooms, and carpenters may convert suites to separate bedrooms or vice versa by opening or closing existing doors and wall panels. The new president’s interior decorator and a few other members of his entourage help unpack and arrange furniture.
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The Oval Office
All furniture, draperies and artwork will be changed -- if the new president chooses to change them. The rug with the presidential seal probably will remain, at least for a while, because new ones take so long to make. But with this president, one never knows.
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Welcome to your new home, Mr. President
Any time between 3:30P and 5P, the new First Family will return to a transformed White House. As they enter, usually through the South Portico, Chief Usher Angella Reid will greet them and say for the first time, “Welcome to your new home, Mr. President.”
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Videos of the Day
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 | FLOTUS takes one last stroll through the White House. | |
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 | WaPo says why Aziz Ansari is the perfect host for SNL post inauguration.
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Asian-American dance rock band The Slants talk about their Supreme Court case, including a supporter they'd rather not have: Dan Snyder. | |
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Omarosa was asked about this video clip where she says people who criticized Trump will now have to bow down to him. She tells Variety that she was not being literal. | |
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Pics of the Day
(click image for more info)
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Mario Rodríguez, head of Latino 100, kicks off the Latino pre-inaugural gala on Thursday night. | |
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 | A group of bipartisan politicos gather at the Texas Society Black Tie and Boots Inaugural gala on Thursday night. | |
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CHLI Chairman Lincoln Díaz-Balart and CHLI President and CEO Mary Ann Gómez Orta posing with Latino Coalition Chairman Héctor Barreto and Allen Gutiérrez at the CHLA inaugural event Wednesday evening. | |
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Lincoln Díaz-Balart speaks with Univisión at CHLI's Wednesday night inaugural event. | |
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 | Omarosa preparing for the inauguration with her mom. | |
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Sally Field and Rev. Al Sharpton at the #WeStandUnited Pre-Inauguration rally. | |
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 | GOP Strategist Tara Setmayer in anticipation of today's inauguration. | |
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 | WH Photographer Pete Souza releases some never- before-seen photos of the First Family. | |
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 | WH Photographer Pete Souza caught these intimate moments between POTUS and FLOTUS on her birthday in 2011at the UN General Assembly in NYC. | |
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Jan. 19th-22nd: The American Indian Society of Washington, DC is hosting the 13th American Indian Inaugural Celebration. RSVP here.
Friday, January 20th, 7P: The United States of Women along with Sara and Derek Lemke-von Ammon, Michele and Zoë Taylor, for the Empowerment Party host an evening of drinks, dancing and empowering women at Malmaison, 3401 Water St NW. Click here for ticket information.
Tuesday, February 1st, 6P: NUL hosts a new members reception at Sonoma. Invite only.
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