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Events in 2025 pertaining to politics and government in the United States.

National politics

Presidency

President Joe Biden issued several executive orders and moved to enact multiple progressive policies in his final month as president, including banning new oil and gas drilling along most coasts and designating the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments. He awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to eighteen individuals, primarily philanthropists, Democratic politicians, and donors. Several national crises occurred during Biden's final month, such as the 2025 New Orleans truck attack and the January 2025 Southern California wildfires. He continued to release prisoners from Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, leaving fifteen men by the time he will conclude office, though he asked a federal appellate court to block a plea deal entered by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, one of the perpetrators of the September 11 attacks.

Congress

The 119th United States Congress began at 12 p.m. EST on January 3, 2025, following the adjournment of the 118th Congress. Leading up to an election to elect the speaker of the House, incumbent representative Mike Johnson of Louisiana's bid appeared uncertain amid opposition from the Freedom Caucus despite an endorsement from Trump. Johnson was re-elected after initially not receiving enough votes to be re-elected; Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky voted for Tom Emmer, while Keith Self of Texas and Ralph Norman of South Carolina voted for other representatives until they switched their votes for Johnson.

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is set to hear several cases, including TikTok v. Garland.

Events

January

• January 3:
  • The 119th United States Congress begins. John Thune becomes the Senate Majority Leader, while Mike Johnson is re-elected as speaker of the House.
  • Judge Juan Merchan upholds president-elect Donald Trump's felony conviction, but signals that he will sentence him to an unconditional discharge.
  • President Joe Biden blocks the proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel.
• January 4 – Biden awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to eighteen individuals.
• January 6:
  • Electoral College vote count: Congress votes to certify Trump's victory.
  • Biden issues a ban on new oil and gas drilling along most coasts.
• January 9 – The funeral of former President Jimmy Carter takes place.
• January 10:
  • Vice President-elect JD Vance resigns from the United States Senate.
  • President-elect Donald Trump is sentenced to an "unconditional discharge" for 34 counts of falsifying business records in his New York hush money case.
• January 11
  • Special counsel Jack Smith resigns from the Department of Justice after completing his investigation into Trump's involvement in the January 6 riots and his mishandling of government records.

References

1. Friedman, Lisa (January 6, 2025). "Biden Bans New Oil and Gas Drilling Along Most U.S. Coasts". The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
2. Friedman, Lisa (January 7, 2025). "Biden to Designate Chuckwalla and Sáttítla National Monuments in California". The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
3. Reston, Maeve; Tashjian, Rachel (January 4, 2025). "Biden awards Medal of Freedom to Soros, Ralph Lauren and others". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
4. Lucey, Catherine (January 1, 2025). "Biden Decries 'Despicable' Attack". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
5. Pinho, Faith (January 9, 2025). "'We're not going anywhere': Biden says federal government will cover 100% of disaster aid". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
6. Rosenberg, Carol (January 6, 2025). "U.S. Sends 11 Guantánamo Prisoners to Oman to Start New Lives". The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
7. Hsu, Spencer; Hauslohner, Abigail; Ryan, Missy (January 9, 2025). "Appeals court blocks accused Sept. 11 plotter's plea after U.S. balks". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
8. Edmondson, Catie (January 3, 2025). "The 118th Congress has officially been adjourned, Johnson declares to applause". The New York Times. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
9. Sotomayor, Marianna (January 3, 2025). "Mike Johnson's House speaker bid looks shaky despite Trump endorsement". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
10. Edmondson, Catie (January 3, 2025). "Johnson Re-elected as Speaker After Putting Down G.O.P. Revolt". The New York Times. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
11. Gershman, Jacob; Needleman, Sarah (January 9, 2025). "The TikTok Ban Heads to the Supreme Court Tomorrow. Here's What to Know". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
12. Hulse, Carl (January 3, 2025). "John Thune Takes Charge in the Senate, Ushering In a New Leadership Era". The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
13. Edmondson, Catie (January 3, 2025). "Johnson Re-elected as Speaker After Putting Down G.O.P. Revolt". The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
14. Jacobs, Shayna; Nakamura, David (January 3, 2025). "Judge upholds Trump's felony conviction, but does not plan to order jail time". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
15. Tita, Bob; Lucey, Catherine (January 3, 2025). "Biden Blocks Sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
16. Adams Otis, Ginger (January 4, 2025). "Biden Awards Medal of Freedom to Hillary Clinton, George Soros and Others". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
17. Karnie, Annie (January 6, 2025). "Four Years After Capitol Riot, Congress Certifies Trump's Victory Peacefully". The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
18. Daly, Matthew (January 6, 2025). "Biden issues ban on offshore oil and gas drilling in most federal waters. Trump vows to undo it". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
19. "Vance resigns from Senate as he and Trump prepare to take office | Fox News". www.foxnews.com. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
20. "Trump sentenced to penalty-free 'unconditional discharge' in hush money case". NBC News. 2025-01-10. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
21. "Special counsel Jack Smith resigns". www.nbcnews.com. 2025-01-11. Retrieved 2025-01-12.

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