12:30 Report — Trump ceremony moved inside; TikTok ban upheld

View Online  12:30 REPORT Happy Friday! If you're planning to attend the inauguration Monday, don't pull a William Henry Harrison by not properly dressing for the cold. It's been a busy morning — here's what's happening: NEW: Trump's inauguration moved indoors due to cold. The Supreme Court ruled against TikTok. What happens now? Trump message on TikTok: 'Stay tuned!' Your guide to the weekend's inauguration festivities. The wildest unplanned moments from past inaugurations. I'm Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what's coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.   📱 The TikTok Ban The Supreme Court will *not* save TikTok: ©  GIPHY/The Daily Signal The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Sunday's TikTok ban is constitutional, deciding this morning that the divest-or-ban law does not violate the First Amendment.   Basically: The court determined Congress's national security concerns over the China-based parent company trump the First Amendment.   From the court's opinion: "There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community. But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok's data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary."   🔎 Read the full Supreme Court opinion ➤  WHAT HAPPENS NOW?: Could Biden stop the ban?: President Biden could trigger a 90-day delay if progress is being made toward a ByteDance divestment, but that hasn't been done.   Several news outlets, including The Hill's sister network NewsNation, report President Biden will not enforce the ban when it is slated to take effect Sunday. That would punt the decision to Donald Trump when he takes office Monday. 🔎 What we know about the White House off-ramp   Could Congress stop the ban?: It's possible, but unlikely. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) tried Wednesday to pass a 270-day extension by unanimous consent, but it was quickly blocked by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) then backed the effort Thursday, but Republicans can block it.   Could Trump stop the ban?: It will likely be up to the president-elect to decide next steps. He told CNN just after the ruling the TikTok ban is now up to him — and the White House agrees. On Truth Social, he called for Americans to "stay tuned!" He could trigger that 90-day delay. The cleanest solution is for Congress to undo the ban but it easily passed both chambers of Congress last year. Trump supports TikTok and could pressure Capitol Hill Republicans to do something.   Reporter's note: Your author's husband works for Markey and is involved in the extension bill. ➤  WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO TIKTOK ON SUNDAY?: That's an open question. It will likely disappear from app stores. Existing users may still be able to access the app, but it may go completely dark.   If you want to download a copy of your TikTok data, NewsNation explains how to do it:   "Go to your Profile page, tap the Menu button, navigate to Settings and Privacy, choose Account and then Download your data." 🧊 Inauguration Day Guide Sunny with a chance of hypothermia: President-elect Trump's Monday inauguration has been moved indoors due to extreme cold and wind, making this the first indoor inauguration in 40 years (!)   Why?: Temperatures could hit as low as 6 degrees. Plus, snow is forecasted for the Washington area Sunday.   Where will it happen now?: Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will be sworn in inside the Capitol rotunda instead of the west front of the U.S. Capitol.   What this means for Inauguration Day?: The shift in plans likely means there will be fewer people able to watch in person and fewer people gathered on the National Mall. (Remember the crowd size saga in 2017?) The inaugural balls will still happen as planned.   ^ Trump is clearly aware of this: In his Truth Social post, he touted the television audience. "The various Dignitaries and Guests will be brought into the Capitol. This will be a very beautiful experience for all, and especially for the large TV audience!" Trump posted on Truth Social.   Where will the overflow go?: Capital One Arena will be opened up for a live viewing of the event.   Historical context: This will be the first presidential inauguration ceremony not held on the West Lawn of the Capitol since Ronald Reagan's in 1985, which was also moved indoors due to cold weather.   Flashback:  📸 Reagan being sworn in in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in 1985.  📸Reagan delivering his inaugural address indoors due to weather.   The day comes with a lot of moving parts, so here's a primer on what to expect:   Security: Several metro stations will be closed from Sunday night through Tuesday morning. The roads around the White House and the U.S. Capitol will be closed. Guide to maneuvering around D.C. on Inauguration Day   The schedule: In the morning, there's a church service and a tea at the White House. At noon, the swearing-in ceremony will begin. In the afternoon, there will be a congressional luncheon, the presidential parade, an Oval Office signing ceremony. Trump will later speak at three inaugural balls. 📝 Full schedule of events   The guest list: President Biden, former President Obama, former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush, former President Clinton and former first lady and secretary of State Hillary Clinton will attend. Top tech leaders are also expected to be there. 📝 List of confirmed attendees   Who's notably *not* attending: Former first lady Michelle Obama and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)   ^ That's a bummer. I love watching George Bush and Michelle Obama hang out. ©  Getty Who's performing?: Country singer Carrie Underwood will sing "America the Beautiful." Village People, Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Aldean and Rascal Flatts will perform for inauguration events.   ^ Underwood is an interesting get. She's a notably higher caliber star than Trump usually attracts, and she hasn't endorsed Trump. She says she's performing "in the spirit of unity." This is one of the early signs that celebs may be warming to Trump this time around.   Read my reporting: 'Carrie Underwood at inauguration hints at Trump celebrity thaw' 🕰️ Inaugural Flashbacks Cue Green Day — or maybe even some Vitamin C: 🎵 "It's something unpredictable, but in the end, it's right. I hope you had the time of your life." 🎵   In discussions about our Inauguration Day editorial plans, my colleagues and I reminisced about the good, the bad and the weird that make inaugurations so interesting to watch. The ceremony itself is very scripted, but the unplanned moments always make for an interesting day. Here are some of the best:   George Bush, unfiltered: Former President George W. Bush reportedly gave a candid assessment of Trump's inauguration: "That was some weird ---."   Don's Johns!!: The porta-potties brought in for Trump's first inauguration were from a company called "Don's Johns." Someone then covered the company's logo with blue tape. 📸 Photo of the infamous porta-potties   John Roberts messed up the oath: Former President Obama took the oath of office twice because Chief Justice John Roberts fumbled the wording. 📹 Watch   Bernie Sanders became a meme: A photo of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) "social distancing" in a metal chair at Biden's inauguration while wearing mittens, a big coat and a face mask went viral. 📸 The infamous photo ©  Getty Bush had some poncho issues: George W. Bush struggled to put on his poncho during the 2017 inauguration. 📸 The photos are still funny, eight years later.   Andrew Jackson was drunk: Then-Vice President Andrew Jackson showed up to Abraham Lincoln's 1861 inauguration drunk and gave a speech.   What's in the box?: Melania Trump handed Michelle Obama a light blue box with a white bow when they greeted each other in front of the White House in 2017. Obama didn't seem to know what to do with the box and it made for an awkward exchange. (Obama later revealed the gift was a frame.) 📹 Watch the clip   The infamous crowd size debate: The day after Trump's inauguration, then-White House press secretary Sean Spicer blasted the media for their coverage of the crowd sizes, despite photos showing more people at former President Obama's swearing-in. 📹 Photos to compare the crowd sizes   The purple tunnel of doom: At least 1,000 people with tickets were stuck in the Third Street Tunnel during Obama's first inauguration and couldn't get to the ceremony in time. It's been deemed "the purple tunnel of doom."   Jimmy Carter got out and walked: During former President Carter's inauguration in 1977, he famously got out of his motorcade and walked the parade route. It has now become a tradition for presidents. 📹 Watch   The Bidens got locked out: The Bidens ceremonially walked up to the White House on Inauguration Day while the military band played "Hail to the Chief." The door was accidentally shut, and it made for an awkward moment. 📹 Watch 🔴 In Other News Setting up an early win for the boss: The Senate advanced the Laken Riley Act this morning, setting up a final vote for the immigration bill early next week.   The vote: Senators voted 61-35 to end debate this morning, with 10 Democrats and every Republican voting "yes."   What happens now?: The bill was amended in the Senate, so it will have to go back to the House to be passed once again. It would then head to Trump's desk.   Why this matters: Republicans have set up Trump for an early legislative win. It's an immigration-related bill, one of Trump's biggest priorities. ➤  TIDBIT: Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) revealed to The New York Times that despite publicly supporting President Biden's reelection campaign following his disastrous debate last summer, he privately urged Biden to drop out.   Read Annie Karni and Luke Broadwater's reporting: 'How Schumer Pushed Biden to Drop Out' 🐝 Internet Buzz 🍺 Celebrate: Today is National Hot Buttered Rum Day!   💿 New album dropping soon, apparently: The official portraits of President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance were released Thursday. Trump's portrait features a dramatic scowl. Some people say it resembles his 2023 mugshot. 📸 Portraits   ☄️ Want to see a meteorite crash?: A Prince Edward Island resident captured footage of a meteorite hitting his driveway. It sounds like ice shattering.📹 Watch 📆 On The Agenda The House is out. The Senate is in. President Biden and Vice President Harris are in Washington. (all times Eastern) Today: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) testifies before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to lead the Department of Homeland Security. 💻 Livestream 1:30 p.m.: Biden delivers remarks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors. 💻 Livestream Saturday: The annual Women's March, dubbed "The People's March." 🔎 Details Saturday: A fireworks display outside Trump's golf club in Sterling, Va. 📆 Trump's inauguration weekend schedule Saturday night: Trump's Cabinet picks attend a dinner with Vice President-elect Vance. Sunday: A wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Sunday: Trump holds a rally at Capital One Arena in Washington Sunday: Trump hosts a candlelight dinner with donors. Monday: Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 👋 And Finally… Because it's been a wild week of news, let's end this with a cat who should seriously consider competing in parkour. Stay Engaged Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com. A friend forward this to you? Subscribe here.   View past issues of 12:30 Report here and check out other newsletters from The Hill here. See you next time! Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  Sign Up for Other Newsletters 400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 © 1998 - 2025 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.