Good Morning! Today’s edition is 1,078 words, a 4-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Biden’s final pardons

• First Israel/Hamas hostage exchange

• What Americans think will happen in 2025

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Big Story

47 Is Sworn In

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th US president in an indoor ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda due to freezing weather.

• He took the oath using two Bibles - one from his mother and one used by Abraham Lincoln. Trump is the second man in US history to return to the Oval Office after a hiatus.

• President Trump wasted no time getting to work, signing 100 executive orders in front of a crowd and in the White House on Monday. The orders include withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, reversing 78 executive actions from the Biden administration, implementing a federal hiring freeze, ending birthright citizenship, and pardoning 1,500 people convicted of crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. (See full list here)

• Trump also said he will declare illegal immigration at the US-Mexico border a national emergency. He plans to deploy troops to ramp up deportations of criminal offenders and will invoke the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to target foreign gang members. Trump also said he would classify criminal cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

Big Story

Biden’s Final Hour Pardons

Before leaving office, President Joe Biden issued pre-emptive pardons to several high-profile figures.

• Biden emphasized that these pardons don't mean anyone did anything wrong - rather, they're meant to protect public servants who might face politically motivated investigations.

• Who was pardoned?

  • Dr. Anthony Fauci, who led America's COVID-19 response and has faced criticism from Trump supporters

  • General Mark Milley, the former head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who has been critical of Trump

  • Members and staff of the January 6th committee that investigated the Capitol attack including Liz Cheney

  • Capitol Police and DC Metropolitan Police officers who testified about the January 6th attack

• Biden is pardoning people before any charges or investigations have even started. This is a rare use of presidential power and sets a new precedent for how pardons might be used in the future. Some worry this could lead to future presidents promising pardons to encourage allies to take unlawful actions.

• Some receiving pardons, like Fauci, strongly stated they had done nothing wrong but still accepted them.

Big Story

College Football National Championship

Ohio State won the national championship by beating Notre Dame 34-23, becoming the first two-loss champion in 18 years.

• Though Notre Dame scored first with a long opening drive, Ohio State dominated most of the game, building a huge 31-7 lead.

• Running back Quinshon Judkins was the star of the game, scoring three touchdowns and rushing for 100 yards. Will Howard, Ohio State's quarterback, started perfectly by completing his first 13 passes. For Notre Dame, quarterback Riley Leonard played well early and late but couldn’t overcome the deficit.

• By halftime, the Buckeyes led 21-7, and Judkins’ big run early in the second half extended the lead to 28-7. Despite Notre Dame’s comeback attempts, including a 30-yard touchdown pass and a trick-play conversion, Ohio State's defense and key plays sealed the victory.

• The win makes Ryan Day the fifth coach in Ohio State history to deliver a national title. The Buckeyes became the first team to win four postseason games under the new playoff system, defeating Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame.

Quick Stories

US News

• A winter storm is hitting the US, bringing dangerously low temperatures from the Northern Plains to Maine, while snow blankets the East Coast. Heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain are forecast from Texas to Florida until Wednesday. (More)

• Southern California is preparing for dangerous 70-100 mph Santa Ana winds and more wildfire risks just weeks after deadly blazes claimed 27 lives and destroyed thousands of homes. (More)

• Senate committees quickly approved key cabinet nominations, including Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary, John Ratcliffe as CIA Director, and Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. (More)

World

• An Indian court sentenced police volunteer Sanjay Roy to life in prison for the rape and killing of a trainee doctor. The high-profile crime led to a speedy trial in the typically slow justice system. Roy claims he is innocent. (More)

• The first three Israeli hostages were released from Gaza on Sunday as part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. In exchange, Israel released about 90 Palestinian prisoners early Monday morning. (More)

• Sher Abbas Stanikzai, a senior Taliban official, publicly criticized the group's ban on women's and girls' education, calling it unjustified and urging its removal. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed higher on Friday (S&P +1.00%, Nasdaq -1.51%, Dow +0.78%). All three major averages posted their first weekly gain of 2025. (More)

• Teamsters union members at Costco voted to authorize a strike, with over 85% support. The union represents more than 18,000 workers nationwide. (More)

• Bitcoin reached a record high overnight, climbing to $109,350.72 before settling near $106,622.54. The surge follows the launch of meme coins by the incoming first couple and anticipation surrounding President-elect Trump's inauguration. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• The NFL AFC Championship will feature the Kansas City Chiefs, who advanced after defeating the Houston Texans 23-14, and the Buffalo Bills, who survived against the Baltimore Ravens 27-25. (More)

• In the NFC, the Washington Commanders, with rookie quarterback Jaden Daniels, beat the No. 1 Detroit Lions 45-31. They will face The Philadelphia Eagles who beat the Los Angeles Rams 28-22. (More)

• Rapper A$AP Rocky’s felony trial begins today. He faces two felony charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm for allegedly shooting at a former friend near a Hollywood hotel in 2021. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• The US Department of Health and Human Services announced a $590 million grant to Moderna to speed up the development of flu vaccines, including protection against bird flu. (More)

• TikTok has resumed service in the US after being temporarily shut down for about half a day. US users had been blocked from the app as the federal ban was about to take effect. (More)

• Regular dog walking can help older adults stay mobile and reduce their risk of falls, according to new research from Trinity College Dublin. (More)

Extra Credit

🦈 See the winners of the Ocean Art Underwater Photo Contest.

🔮 What Americans predict will happen in 2025.

💔 Running can mend a broken heart.

🧦 Should you wear socks to sleep?