State & Federal Update – January 20, 2025

It’s Monday, January 20, 2025. There are 107 days left in the 2025 Colorado General Assembly and 154 items introduced thus far (bills, resolutions, rules, etc.) according to State Bill Colorado.

For your convenience, this update is also attached as a PDF.

These updates are curated from multiple news sources and designed to be a “choose-your-own-adventure.” Please read any coverage of interest and skip anything you deem to be irrelevant. Hyperlinks are provided to add additional context. With the 24/7 news-cycle I hope to keep us all in the loop on items we may want to know about or better understand. Please feel free to share if you think someone outside FGMC needs to be aware of this information.

Disclaimer – The news and articles contained within this update do not represent any political positions or policy opinions of Foster Graham Milstein & Calisher, LLP. This update is designed for informational purposes only

It’s been a packed day of news, so bear with me.

Today, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, cities across the U.S. came together to honor Dr. King’s legacy and continue the fight for civil rights, justice, and equality. In Denver, the day was marked by events like the MLK Marade and community service projects that celebrated progress while acknowledging the work still ahead. Historically, this day serves as a powerful reminder of King’s vision for a united and just society.

Yet, the irony of the moment is hard to ignore. As many reflected on King’s call for a more inclusive society, the nation also saw Donald Trump sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. 

Just hours into his second term, Trump signed a series of executive orders in the Capital One Arena, cheered on by thousands. Key actions included the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and a mandate for federal workers to return to the office full-time. The orders also reversed 78 Biden-era actions, froze federal hiring, and aimed to “restore freedom of speech.” Notably, Trump rescinded Biden’s orders on gender identity discrimination and LGBTQ+ equality.

The White House called these moves part of Trump’s “America First Priorities.” And thus begins the Trump Presidency 2.0.

When President Trump was sworn in for his second term today, Colorado’s political leaders had varied responses. Some Democrats were notably quiet about the event, while others made public statements reflecting their positions:

• Gov. Jared Polis emphasized the importance of state-federal relations, expressing a desire to ensure governors’ voices are heard in Washington, D.C.
• U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R) expressed enthusiasm, calling Trump’s return “marks the start of a new, magnificent era for America,” and promised to work on issues like energy dominance and border security.
• U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D) quoted Joe Biden, expressing willingness to work with the new administration but preparing to fight for “freedoms, democracy, and working people.”
• U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank (R) and other Republican newcomers, like Gabe Evans and Jeff Hurd, celebrated the moment with photos and statements focused on America’s greatness and the peaceful transfer of power.
• U.S. Rep. Jason Crow (D) called for collaboration on issues like housing and gas costs, while also stressing his commitment to holding Trump accountable on matters important to Coloradans.
• The Colorado Democratic Party expressed disappointment, warning that Trump’s presidency would likely benefit the wealthy at the expense of ordinary people.
• As of the afternoon, Colorado’s U.S. senators, John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, and the state Republican Party had not made public statements about the inauguration.

One thing is clear: Trump’s inauguration marks the start of a new era of Republican control in Washington, signaling a sharp political shift that many view as a direct challenge to progressive ideals—many of the same ideals Dr. King fought for. For a significant portion of the country, Trump’s rise highlights the deep divisions in American society—divisions King dedicated his life to healing. His presidency, often marked by rhetoric seen as divisive, seems to underscore the injustices and inequalities King and his allies sought to overcome.

Yet, for another segment of the country, Trump represents the change they’ve long sought. His first election was seen by many supporters as a victory over the political establishment, a rejection of the status quo, and a promise to tackle issues of national identity, immigration, and economic neglect. In this view, Trump isn’t a step backward, but a necessary disruption—a push toward an America that some feel was abandoned by past administrations.

Here is what I know: There’s no denying that our nation remains deeply divided, and the contrasting emotions of the day raise some difficult questions. Who are we as Americans? Who do we aspire to be? What values do we truly share? And where do we go from here?

I won’t pretend to have all the answers, but I’ll leave those questions for you to consider. And now…

Today’s Big Three Things-To-Know:

1. The looming battle over K-12. As Colorado lawmakers face a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall, the state’s largest teachers union is fighting to ensure schools aren’t shortchanged. In its annual State of Education Report, the Colorado Education Association (CEA) calls for increased per-pupil funding and warns against reinstating the budget stabilization factor, which shifts money away from schools. The report highlights pressing issues, including Colorado’s low teacher salaries, despite the state’s high cost of living. It also urges lawmakers to invest billions more in education, following recent analyses that underscore the need for better school funding. Without these investments and reforms, CEA warns that the future of public education in Colorado is at risk. Keep your eye on this issue as we head further into the session. 

Here are the key issues identified by the union:

• According to the report, 87% of union members listed salary increases as one of their top priorities. Nearly 90% also highlighted concerns about appropriate workloads and staffing conditions in their schools. While these challenges are not new, the union stresses that Colorado leaders must do more to invest in public education.
• The Colorado Education Association (CEA) also notes that members want to feel more valued, pointing out that this desire is linked to high workloads, as well as what they see as “attacks on curriculum” and educator autonomy
• Additionally, 89% of educators surveyed expressed a need for increased mental health support for both educators and students, with the report emphasizing the connection between mental health and school safety.

1. The union’s legislative priorities include:

• Advocating for the protection of public school staff, including those at risk of deportation, from federal attacks.
• Opposing policies that aim to dismantle public education and ensuring that educators are shielded from “anti-worker and anti-public education” threats.
• Fighting any attempts to cut school funding and pushing for stability in schools by opposing unfunded mandates.
• Resisting policies that divert public classroom funds to private companies.
• The union will also prioritize lobbying for policies that support educators, strengthen workers’ rights, and ensure the safety of students and staff.

1. President Trump takes office (again). Donald Trump was sworn in for a second term as president during a ceremony inside the U.S. Capitol rotunda on Monday, marking the culmination of his political comeback after defeating Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the November election. With J.D. Vance as his vice president, Trump delivered an inaugural address outlining his vision for America, which included a focus on immigration, energy, and national security. He vowed to declare a national emergency at the southern border, halt illegal immigration, and begin deportations. In his speech, Trump also outlined plans to prioritize U.S. energy independence, champion free speech, and build a “color-blind” and “merit-based” society. He reiterated controversial positions, including recognizing only two genders and proposing to rename landmarks such as the Panama Canal and Mount Denali. Due to frigid temperatures, the ceremony was moved indoors. Trump’s speech, reminiscent of his campaign rhetoric, emphasized his core policies. Later, he addressed the crowd at the Capitol Visitor Center, where he revisited claims about the 2020 election and further discussed border security. In the afternoon, Trump signed several proclamations, including one to keep the U.S. flag at full staff on future inauguration days.
2. Biden’ final actions. In the final hours of his presidency, Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons early Monday to several individuals who had been targeted by President Donald Trump’s threats of retaliation, including prominent officials and members of Biden’s own family. Among those pardoned were retired General Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, members and staff of the Select Committee investigating the January 6th Capitol attack, and Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan Police officers who testified before the committee. Biden explained his decision in a statement, emphasizing his belief in the rule of law and expressing confidence in the strength of the nation’s legal institutions. However, he acknowledged the exceptional nature of the situation, stating that he could not stand by in good conscience. “Baseless and politically motivated investigations can wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of those targeted, even when they have done nothing wrong. The mere act of being investigated or prosecuted — despite being ultimately exonerated — can cause irreparable damage to reputations and finances,” Biden said.

***Bonus Story – Trump’s immigration plan. Shortly after his inauguration as the 47th president, Donald Trump is expected to sign 10 executive orders aimed at ramping up immigration enforcement along the southern border, according to incoming Trump officials. The first order will likely declare a national emergency at the border, officials said. While full details were not available Monday morning, they indicated the actions will include deploying armed forces, directing the Department of Defense and Homeland Security to complete the border wall, and enhancing counter-drone measures. The orders will also deploy additional personnel, including the National Guard and armed forces, to address the border crisis. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Trump’s nominee to lead the immigration effort, recently completed her confirmation hearing and is expected to receive a Senate vote soon.

***Bonus, Bonus Story – Trump pardons nearly all Jan. 6 defendants and orders prison releases. On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump issued a sweeping pardon for nearly all individuals charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, effectively eliminating criminal accountability for those involved. The action went beyond what many of his Congressional allies had previously suggested. Trump’s proclamation included commuting the prison sentences of 14 individuals convicted on more serious charges and granting a “complete and unconditional pardon” to all others convicted for their roles in the Capitol assault during the certification of electoral votes. The proclamation also called for the attorney general to ensure the immediate release of all Jan. 6 defendants currently in prison and to dismiss any pending charges against individuals related to the events of that day.

And now, more news…

Around the city…What we know about the potential for ICE raids in Denver and other cities as Trump takes office

Via The Denver Post, with President Donald Trump inaugurated on Monday, metro Denver immigrant communities and residents are now wondering how soon his policies — including proposed mass deportations — could be carried out locally.

So far, reports in recent days of potential raids targeting Denver’s immigrant communities by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are unconfirmed.

But The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, included Denver on a list of major U.S. cities where the government planned to launch raids soon — potentially beginning in Chicago as early as Tuesday, though plans were in flux over the weekend. The other places where immigrants without legal status could be targeted later were Miami, Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and San Antonio. The New York Times and the Associated Press later confirmed that Chicago was likely to be the starting point.

You can read more from The Denver Post here.

At the same time…Denver outlines school rules for potential ICE raids.

As reported by Axios,Denver Public Schools is bracing for possible immigration raids on students and directing principals to lock down campuses if federal immigration agents come knocking.

President-elect Trump has pledged the “largest deportation” in U.S. history and suggested rolling back long-standing policies that restrict immigration enforcement in sensitive locations, like schools.

DPS enrolled more than 4,700 immigrant students from Venezuela, Colombia and Mexico last year, the Denver Post reports. Superintendent Alex Marrero issued guidance to principals this week after staff and families raised concerns about potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence on school grounds.

The memo reaffirms DPS policy: Federal immigration enforcement is prohibited “at schools, on transportation routes, on DPS property or during school activities.”

You can read more from Axios here.

From DPS…Smaller class sizes will be a priority for the Denver teachers union as it negotiates a new contract.

According to Chalkbeat, smaller class sizes will be one of the Denver teachers union’s top priorities when it begins negotiating its next contract with Denver Public Schools this year.

Aside from the ever-present issue of teacher pay, class size caps are top-of-mind for many teachers as they grapple with how to catch students up from pandemic learning losses, reverse troubling absenteeism trends, and attend to students’ increasingly complex mental health needs, union leaders said.

Class size caps haven’t changed in Denver since 1994, when the union went on strike and the district agreed to a cap of 35 students, among other issues.

You can read more from Chalkbeat here.

Under the Gold Dome…The Colorado Education Association says it will fight any cuts to K-12 education budgets.

Via Chalkbeat, as Colorado lawmakers figure out how to wrangle budget cuts, the state’s largest teachers union said it will fight to ensure legislators do not withhold money from schools.

In fact, the Colorado Education Association in its annual State of Education Report released on Monday underscored the need for the state to increase per-pupil funding beyond current levels. The report from CEA seeks to bring awareness to pressing issues facing educators but also lists out the union’s annual legislative priorities.

Lawmakers have a tough job ahead of them to manage a nearly billion dollar shortfall due to increases in costs for programs such as Medicaid. Some have said they want to fully fund schools and not reinstate a mechanism known as the budget stabilization factor — underfunding schools to shift money to other priorities.

You can read more from Chalkbeat here.

Also from under the Gold Dome…A bipartisan tradition fades in the CO House, while Democrats preview both ambitions and fault lines.

According to CPR, before state lawmakers hit the gas on their new session, CPR looked over its opening days. In the House, strains of national politics wove themselves into long-standing traditions in new ways, while in the Senate, the first few bills illuminate an ambitious Democratic agenda on guns and voting. Plus, why some Democrats left the State of the State address upset with Gov. Jared Polis.

Hosts Bente Birkeland, of CPR News, and KUNC’s state capital reporter Lucas Brady Woods are your guides through all the dramatic moments as the session gets underway.

You can read more from CPR here.

More from the State Capitol…Lawmakers aren’t allowed to have guns in the Colorado Capitol anymore, but there’s no proactive enforcement.

As reported by The Colorado Sun, Colorado lawmakers face a new rule this year: They can no longer bring guns into the State Capitol.

The ban is part of a state law passed last year that generally prohibits carrying guns in so-called “sensitive spaces,” including government buildings, polling places, childcare facilities and schools. The law went into effect for most locations over the summer. “It’s not good to have firearms and heated political discussions in the same room, and I feel safer,” said Democratic Rep. Kyle Brown of Louisville, one of the lawmakers behind the law.

The Capitol gun ban took effect this month, and it’s based on an honor system. The law didn’t come with any additional security or regular enforcement.

You can read more from The Colorado Sun here.

From Colorado elections…Colorado state Rep. Shannon Bird to run for Senate District 25 in 2026.

Via Colorado Politics, State Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, announced Thursday she will run for Senate District 25 in the 2026 elections.

The seat is currently held by fellow Democrat Sen. Faith Winter, who is term-limited. Bird is in her fourth and final term in the state House. She’s been a moderate voice in the House Democratic caucus, with a focus on business legislation. Bird has been on the Joint Budget Committee since 2023, serving as its chair in the 2024 session. She is currently the committee’s vice-chair.

A native of Reno, Nevada, Bird earned a law degree from the University of Denver, a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Colorado Boulder and a master’s in business administration and master’s in finance, both from the University of Colorado Denver.

You can read more from Colorado Politics here.

Also from Colorado elections…Scott Bottoms, Republican state representative, will run for Colorado governor in 2026.

According to The Colorado Sun, State Rep. Scott Bottoms, a Colorado Springs Republican, announced Sunday while he was leading a church service that he will run for governor in 2026.

Bottoms, one of the most conservative and controversial members of the legislature, is the first major Republican candidate to jump into the contest. He has embraced election conspiracies and opposed efforts to protect and expand the rights of transgender people. Bottoms is also a fierce abortion opponent. “If I don’t get elected, nothing changes except probably four or five bitter sermons for the next few weeks after that,” Bottoms joked to his congregation at the Church at Briargate, where he is lead pastor.

You can read more from The Colorado Sun here.

From the great outdoors…Colorado Parks and Wildlife releases 20 wolves in Eagle and Pitkin counties.

As reported by Colorado Politics, Colorado Parks and Wildlife on Sunday announced that 20 wolves, including 15 from British Columbia, have been released in Eagle and Pitkin counties.

A statement from CPW said the Copper Creek pack, a mother wolf believed responsible for some of the livestock killings in Grand County, and her four pups were also relocated to those areas. The statement added that no further releases are planned for the 2024-2025 capture season and that they anticipate up to five release seasons of wolves. Seven males and eight females came from British Columbia over six days.

You can read more from Colorado Politics here.

On climate…Why disaster mitigation can protect your house but may not lower your insurance bill — yet.

According to The Colorado Sun, data and technology are feeding a plethora of new methods to help homeowners figure out their property’s risk for wildfire, flooding or other extreme weather event. It’s as simple as typing in one’s address to get an instant and detailed report, complete with action items to protect their property from wildfires or one of the Front Range’s notorious hailstorms.

But if insurance companies aren’t taking those models — or homeowner mitigation efforts — into account, what’s the point, wondered Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway. “It makes me feel like we’re lying to people,” Conway said at an Oct. 15 town hall for homeowners in Pueblo. “So if we’re telling people that they should do things, then that has to be reflected in these models. So they have to get better.”

You can read more from The Colorado Sun here.

More on the environment…Colorado identifies its top five toxic air contaminants. Next comes rules to regulate them.

Via The Colorado Sun, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission on Friday named five pollutants as priority air toxics, one of the key steps in a multiyear process to ratchet back neighborhood air pollution. Those hazardous pollutants, known as air toxics, are formaldehyde, benzene, hexavalent chromium compounds, ethylene oxide and hydrogen sulfide.

The contaminants are separate from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas and ozone regulations, though four of the five of them appear on both lists. The new list, known as regulation 30, was created to target street-level toxins with adverse health effects on individuals, and to fill in gaps in the federal framework.

You can read more from The Colorado Sun here.

In labor news…King Soopers union sets first strike vote for Front Range stores, which could involve 10,000 workers.

As reported by The Colorado Sun, four days after their contract expired, the union representing thousands of King Soopers employees in Colorado on Monday scheduled the first vote to ask members to authorize a strike Jan. 29 in Westminster.

A second vote is set for Jan. 30 in Greenwood Village. More are expected. United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 7 said they’re starting in the Denver area because of the larger union presence and because that’s where contracts first expired Jan. 5. Negotiations were extended until Jan. 16 but King Soopers’ last offer was rejected Friday.

“They’re proposing wage increases that are not across the board. Not only are they inadequate, but they’re different based on the ZIP code,” said Kim Cordova, Local 7’s president. “The company is charging the same price to a customer but the workers are going to be paid less. That’s unacceptable to us.”

You can read more from The Colorado Sun here.

Transitioning to federal politics…More than 20 Coloradans convicted, awaiting trial in Jan. 6 riot among the 1,500 pardoned by Trump.

According to The Colorado Sun, more than 20 Coloradans who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection were among 1,500 people who received sweeping pardons from President Donald Trump in one of his first acts of his second term.

Trump signed an executive order Monday to commute the sentences of more than a dozen people and “grant a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.”  The order appears to apply to people convicted of low-level crimes, such as trespassing, as well as those found guilty of attacking police officers with batons, flag poles and other weapons.

The order calls for the immediate release of anyone in prison and dismisses “with prejudice to the government of all pending indictments against individuals for their conduct” related to the Jan. 6 riots, meaning their case is permanently dismissed and the claim cannot be refiled.

You can read more from The Colorado Sun here.

In addition…How Colorado’s elected officials reacted to President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Via The Denver Post, when President Donald Trump was sworn in for his return to office Monday for a second term, it was a historic moment for the country — and a relatively muted one for much of Colorado’s highest profile politicians.

Some Colorado Democrats were uncharacteristically silent on the event and what Trump said from the U.S. Capitol. Here’s a roundup of notable public comments by Colorado officials.

You can read more from The Denver Post here.

More on Trump and Colorado…How Donald Trump’s presidency may impact 10 areas that Coloradans care about most.

According to The Colorado Sun, call it “the resistance 2.0.” Call it “life goes on.” But the early landscape of how blue Colorado will handle a second conservative-activist Trump administration is unfolding on a sun-drenched rooftop next to the Benihana in southeastern Denver.

Trainees screwed solar panels into brackets atop Jewish Family Service on South Tamarac Drive on Friday, working in a technical education program funded by Denver’s climate-dedicated sales tax approved by voters in the 2020 election. “Regardless of the national election results, Colorado continues to train and install solar in our beautiful state,” said Mike Kruger, director of the trade group Colorado Solar and Storage Association.

The pointed message from advocates for renewable energy and other environmental causes, after voters nationally embraced a second Donald Trump administration and a GOP-controlled Congress, is that Coloradans who voted blue will fight to protect gains they believe they have made under Democratic policies. On solar energy. On abortion rights. On protecting rights for undocumented migrants. On keeping extractive industries away from beloved open spaces.

You can read more from The Colorado Sun here.

In Washington DC…It’s Inauguration Day 2025.

As reported by NPR, Donald Trump became the 47th president of the United States on Monday, taking the oath of office at his second inauguration and vowing that a “golden age” for the country begins now.

He told former presidents and other top officials gathered in the Capitol rotunda that “In America, the impossible is what we do best.” He also said he wants to be a unifying figure amid conflicts around the world.

Still, Trump called Monday “liberation day” in a speech that largely focused on his conservative priorities. “I stand before you now as proof that you should never believe that something is impossible to do in America,” Trump said.

You can read more from NPR here.

More from Inauguration Day 2025…Donald Trump is sworn in as president of the United States.

According to Colorado Newsline, Donald Trump took the presidential oath of office for a second term during a ceremony inside the U.S. Capitol rotunda on Monday. This marked the completion of a political comeback, with Trump defeating Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the November election. Trump, with J.D. Vance as his vice president, delivered an inaugural address focusing on his plans for America, including addressing immigration, energy, and national security. He pledged to declare a national emergency at the southern border, halt illegal immigration, and begin deportations.

Trump’s speech also detailed his intentions to prioritize U.S. energy independence, take a strong stance on free speech, and create a “color-blind” and “merit-based” society. He also advocated for controversial positions, such as recognizing only two genders and renaming geographical landmarks like the Panama Canal and Mount Denali.

The inauguration ceremony was held indoors due to cold weather, and Trump’s speech echoed campaign rhetoric. He later spoke in the Capitol Visitor Center, repeating claims about the 2020 election and discussing border security. In the afternoon, Trump signed various proclamations, including one to fly the U.S. flag at full staff on future inauguration days.

The Senate began confirming Trump’s Cabinet nominees last week. Other nominees are expected to be confirmed in the coming days.

You can read more from Colorado Newsline here.

More from the Trump team…Trump vows to unleash ‘liquid gold’ at home and abroad, with Denver resident as energy czar.

Via Colorado Politics, President Donald Trump vowed to bring down domestic prices and position America as an energy exporter by unleashing the “liquid gold” flowing beneath U.S. soil, stripping away what he deemed to be excessive regulations and adopting a slew of policies favorable to oil and gas drilling.

“Once again, we will work to make America an energy producer. We’ll bring prices down, fill strategic reserves up to the top, and export American energy all over the world,” he said during his inauguration speech on Monday.

Chris Wright, a Denver businessman and Trump’s pick for Energy secretary, will play a key role in carrying out the vision.

In his confirmation hearing last week, Wright, founder and CEO of Colorado-based Liberty Energy, an oilfield services firm, said he would immediately focus his attention on three tasks — removing barriers to completing energy projects, accelerating the innovation work of the national laboratories and advancing American energy domestically and abroad.

You can read more from Colorado Politics here.

On immigration…Trump officials outline planned immigration crackdown.

According to Colorado Newsline, shortly after being inaugurated as the 47th president, Donald Trump is expected to sign 10 executive orders that will begin his immigration crackdown at the southern border, incoming Trump officials said during a call with reporters early Monday.

The first order is likely to be a declaration of a national emergency at the southern border, officials said. The specifics of the orders were not yet available on Monday morning. “What this action does is it deploys armed forces, erect physical barriers by directing (Department of Defense) and (Department of Homeland Security) secretaries to finish the wall along the border, and allows for counter (Unmanned Aircraft System) capabilities near the southern borders,” an incoming Trump official said, speaking on background. “In addition, specifically, it directs the secretary of defense to deploy additional personnel to the border crisis, including members of the armed forces and the National Guard.”

Trump’s pick to carry out his immigration plans, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, completed her confirmation hearing last week and is likely to get a vote in the Senate in the coming days.

You can read more from Colorado Newsline here.

Following his promise…Trump pardons nearly all Jan. 6 defendants, orders prison releases.

As reported by Roll Call, President Donald Trump on Monday pardoned nearly all the rioters charged in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, wiping away criminal accountability and going further than some of his allies in Congress had suggested.

The sweeping proclamation, one of a blitz of actions from Trump on his first day back in office, commuted the prison sentences of 14 people convicted on more serious charges. And he granted a “complete and unconditional pardon” to “all other individuals” convicted for their roles in the attack during the congressional process to count electoral votes.

The attorney general should ensure all Jan. 6 defendants “who are currently held in prison are released immediately,” the proclamation states, and dismiss “all pending indictments against individuals for their conduct” related to the events.

You can read more from Roll Call here.

More executive orders…Trump orders withdrawal from Paris climate agreement, erases actions on LGBTQ+ equality.

Via Colorado Newsline, just hours into his second term, President Donald Trump signed some of his first executive orders as an arena crowd of thousands cheered a U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and a mandate for federal workers to return to the office full-time.

Trump scrawled his signature on nearly 10 portfolio-bound documents at a desk on the floor of the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C., following an indoor inauguration parade at the 20,000-seat venue. Monday’s ceremonies were moved indoors because of cold temperatures.

The orders included rescinding 78 Biden administration actions, freezing federal hiring and new regulations, and “restoring freedom of speech,” among others that the White House press office dubbed “America First Priorities.”

“Could you imagine Biden doing this? I don’t think so,” Trump said to the crowd. Trump threw his ceremonial pens into the seats after signing the orders. In an Oval Office ceremony shortly afterward, Trump signed a slew of other orders ranging from declaring a national emergency at the southern border to throwing TikTok a 75-day lifeline to find a new owner.

You can read more from Colorado. Newsline here.

From the backroom…Trump’s first day in office: signing orders, spinning yarns, and settling scores.

According to The Wall Street Journal, after delivering a sober inaugural address that called for a new “golden age in America,” President Trump cannonballed into an overflow room at the Capitol, where he shed the teleprompter and told the assembled crowd what was really on his mind.

“I had a couple of things to say that were extremely controversial, but between JD and Melania, and everybody else, they said, ‘Please, sir. It’s such a beautiful unifying speech. Please, sir, don’t say these things,’” Trump said, referring to Vice President JD Vance and first lady Melania Trump. “I think this was a better speech than the one I gave upstairs,” Trump concluded after 30-plus minute remarks in which he signaled his plans to pardon those convicted of criminal offenses in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot and delivered an extended riff on his wife’s sore feet.

Four years after he left Washington, and less than two hours after he became president again, Trump made clear that he would govern on his own terms and had no interest in muting the persona that helped secure his return to the White House.

You can read more from WSJ here.

And Biden’s final actions…Biden issues preemptive pardons to Fauci, Milley and Jan. 6 committee members, staff.

Via NPR, Hours before his four-year term ended, President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons early Monday to several officials and lawmakers who have been the target of incoming President-elect Donald Trump’s threats of retaliation as well as several members of his family.

Biden pardoned retired Gen. Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, members and staff of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, and Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan Police officers who testified before the committee.

“I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics. But these are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing. Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families,” Biden said in a statement Monday morning.

“Even when individuals have done nothing wrong — and in fact have done the right thing — and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage reputations and finances,” Biden said.

You can read more from NPR here.

That’s all for today! Have a great start to the week!

Best,

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