Trump Inauguration As It Happened

This photo just landed from my colleague in Washington, Margot Buff.

It’s the building of the conservative Heritage Foundation, a think-tank that has strongly supported Trump in this election cycle. The U.S. capital voted firmly for Kamala Harris but today, Trump supporters have arrived in large numbers to celebrate his inauguration.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in 2018 declared negotiations with the Trump administration “banned” after the Republican president withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.

But today, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baqaei, expressed hope that Trump’s second administration will adopt a “realistic approach” and respect the interests of Middle Eastern countries, including Iran.

Mike Waltz, who will serve as Trump’s national security adviser once he takes office, has said the government will make “key decisions” about Tehran “over the next month.”

Senior Iranian officials like President Masud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have hinted that the government is open to talks with Trump.

But that decision ultimately lies with Khamenei. Will Khamenei reconsider his stance on negotiating with a leader he once deemed unreliable?

Kyiv-based political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko told RFE/RL almost half of Ukrainians expect Trump to contribute to peace in Ukraine and an end to the war.

"As for when -- opinions vary. Not everyone expects it to happen quickly; some believe Trump will act fast. Some view Trump with open concern and fear that he may push Ukraine toward an unfair peace. Meanwhile, a segment of the population is entirely indifferent. They have long lost faith in anyone or anything and are simply trying to survive in the current conditions. They are not interested in politics, including matters related to Trump.”

Donald Trump will have "a short window for diplomacy with Iran" if he chooses to use it, former White House adviser Michael Singh told RFE/RL's Radio Farda.

"We have this confluence of military, diplomatic, and -- if maximum pressure is renewed -- economic pressure on Iran," said Singh, who was on George W. Bush's National Security Council in 2005-2008.

This, he said, would create "the perfect storm, the ideal negotiating conditions."

But he warned that time was short. "With further delay by the West, Iran will have the time and the opportunity to cross a nuclear threshold."

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran hoped U.S. policy would "be realistic and based on international law."

Ahead of his inauguration Trump has met leaders of European allies hoping to position themselves for his second presidency. RFE/RL's senior international correspondent Ray Furlong takes a look at who they are and what they want.

"I believe in the rule of law and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics," Biden said in his statement. "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. 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."

Outgoing president Joe Biden has reportedly issued several preemptive presidential pardons as he leaves the White House. The details are still coming in, but the list includes Dr. Anthony Fauci, members of the January 6 Congressional Committee that investigated the insurrection, and police officers who testified during the hearings.

Welcome to our coverage of the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States. The ceremony is only hours away. Freezing temperatures have forced the event to be held indoors. We will bring you news updates from the ceremony as well as reaction from our reporters in countries across the world as Trump's second term as U.S. president starts.