Trump sets cabinet in motion: Senate confirmations imminent

During a brief ceremony in the presidential room at the Capitol, Donald Trump signed a series of documents. According to CNN, these documents include nominations for future cabinet members, essential papers for assuming power, and an order temporarily rescinding the lowering of the flag to half-mast in mourning for President Jimmy Carter for one day.

All cabinet nominations had already been unofficially announced by Trump on social media.

The first cabinet member expected to be officially confirmed by a Senate vote is Senator Marco Rubio, who will become the U.S. Secretary of State, likely on Monday. In the following days, votes are anticipated on nominations including former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for U.S. Attorney General and Fox News presenter Pete Hegseth as head of the Pentagon. Until their confirmation, the ministries and agencies are temporarily led by non-partisan officials serving in an acting capacity.

After the ceremony, Trump attended a ceremonial lunch with congressmen and then planned to head to a parade at the Capital One Arena, which is set to replace the traditional parade along Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House.

The president is likely to sign dozens more orders and memorandums the same day, including closing the border, deploying troops there, ending land rights, removing regulations on oil drilling, and declassifying documents related to, among other things, the assassination of President John Kennedy.

As Trump suggested in a speech to supporters following his official inaugural address, these acts will also include pardons for participants in the Capitol riots. According to ABC News, these pardons will cover individuals who have not been convicted of violent crimes.