2025 in United States politics and government

National politics

Summarize

Perspective

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^[1] and designating the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments.^[2] He awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to eighteen individuals, primarily philanthropists, Democratic politicians, and donors.^[3] Several national crises occurred during Biden's final month, such as the 2025 New Orleans truck attack^[4] and the January 2025 Southern California wildfires.^[5] He continued to release prisoners from Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, leaving fifteen men by the time he will conclude office,^[6] 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.^[7]

Congress

The 119th United States Congress began at 12 p.m. EST on January 3, 2025, following the adjournment of the 118th Congress.^[8] 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.^[9] 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 the two switched their votes for Johnson.^[10]

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is set to hear several cases, including TikTok v. Garland.^[11]

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Events

January

This section needs to be updated. (January 2025)

January 3:
- The 119th United States Congress begins. John Thune becomes the Senate Majority Leader,^[12] while Mike Johnson is re-elected as speaker of the House.^[13]
- Judge Juan Merchan upholds President-elect Donald Trump's felony conviction, but signals that he will sentence him to an unconditional discharge.^[14]
- President Joe Biden blocks the proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel.^[15]
January 4 – Biden awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 18 individuals.^[16]
January 6:
- Electoral College vote count: Congress votes to certify Trump's victory.^[17]
- Biden issues a ban on new oil and gas drilling along most coasts.^[18]
January 9 – The funeral of former President Jimmy Carter takes place.
January 10:
- Vice President-elect JD Vance resigns from the United States Senate.^[19]
- President-elect Donald Trump is sentenced to an "unconditional discharge" for 34 counts of falsifying business records in his New York hush money case.^[20]
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.^[21]
January 20 - Donald Trump is sworn as the 47th president of the United States, while JD Vance is sworn in as the 50th vice president of the United States.
January 23 - Donald Trump's proposed birthright citizenship order is temporarily blocked by Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington John C. Coughenour.

February

This section needs to be updated. (February 2025)

March

This section needs to be updated. (March 2025)

April

This section needs to be updated. (April 2025)

May

This section needs to be updated. (May 2025)

June

This section needs to be updated. (June 2025)

July

This section needs to be updated. (July 2025)