Trump Meets Biden at White House Amid Reports of Inauguration Day Border Crackdown

Former President Donald Trump meets with President Joe Biden at the White House as reports surface of a potential border crackdown planned for Inauguration Day.

Donald and Melania Trump met with Joe and Jill Biden at the White House prior to his inauguration at 12:00 EST (17:00 GMT) – watch live coverage above.

Trump’s incoming administration suggests that he plans to declare a “national emergency” at the US-Mexico border, in addition to several other executive actions set to be announced later today.

Before Trump takes office, Biden grants pre-emptive pardons to several individuals “facing potential criminal prosecutions,” including Dr. Anthony Fauci and officers who provided testimony about the Capitol riot.

Earlier, Trump attended a church service with some of the most influential tech leaders globally—Mark Zuckerberg from Meta, Jeff Bezos from Amazon, Sundar Pichai from Google, and Tim Cook from Apple.

Due to a forecast of freezing temperatures and a wind chill reaching -13°C (9°F), the inauguration ceremony, which is traditionally held outside the US Capitol, has been relocated indoors.

Analysis: What might Trump’s second act entail? Sarah Smith, the BBC’s North America editor, explores this question.

Anthony Fauci, who served as President Joe Biden’s Chief Medical Advisor and managed the US response to the Covid-19 pandemic, claims he has been targeted by “politically motivated threats of investigation and prosecution.”

In response to Biden’s pre-emptive pardons, which include him, Fauci stated: “To be absolutely clear: I have not committed any crime and there are no grounds for any allegations or potential criminal investigation or prosecution against me.”

As noted earlier, Fauci has often faced criticism from Trump and his political allies.

Fauci continues in a statement, “Nonetheless, simply expressing these unfounded threats and the possibility that they might be carried out causes immense and unbearable distress for me and my family.”

“Therefore, I recognize and value the steps President Biden has taken on my behalf today,” concludes the statement.

Shifting focus from Washington DC for a moment, we’ve received news that Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended his congratulations to incoming US President Donald Trump on his inauguration.

In a televised address to his national security council, he also recognized Trump’s intention to reestablish communication with Russia and noted the president-elect’s earlier statements about taking all necessary actions to avert a third world war.

“Naturally, we welcome this position and extend our congratulations to the newly inaugurated US president on taking office,” Putin stated.

The Russian leader stated that he is willing to engage in discussions with the Trump administration regarding the conflict in Ukraine. He emphasized that instead of a temporary ceasefire, there should be “a lasting peace based on respecting the legitimate interests of all people and nations residing in this region.”

“Of course, we will defend Russia’s interests,” Putin stated.

BBC