WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Latest on Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 45th president of the United States (all times EST):
12 p.m.
Donald Trump is now the 45th president of the United States. He’s just taken the oath of office on the West Front of the Capitol.
The combative billionaire businessman and television celebrity won election in November over Democrat Hillary Clinton, and today he’s leading a profoundly divided country _ one that’s split between Americans enthralled and horrified by his victory.
The unorthodox politician and the Republican-controlled Congress are already charting a newly conservative course for the nation. And they’re promising to reverse the work of the 44th president, Barack Obama.
Up next is Trump’s inaugural address _ where the new commander in chief is expected to set out his vision for the country’s next four years.
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11:55 a.m.
Mike Pence has been sworn in as the vice president of the United States.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administered the oath of office.
President-elect Donald Trump chose Pence, the former governor of Indiana, as his running mate last summer.
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11:45 a.m.
U.S. embassies and consulates in at least 10 nations in Asia, Europe and Latin America are warning of potentially violent protests through the weekend against the inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. president.
Security notices posted by U.S. diplomatic missions in Chile, Denmark, France, Greece, Haiti, Italy the Netherlands, Paraguay, Portugal and the Philippines advise American in those countries to steer clear of embassies and consulates on Friday and, in some cases, on Saturday and Sunday. That’s due to the possibility of unrest and clashes with police.
The notices say the planned demonstrations are either focused on “U.S. politics” or are “inauguration-related.”
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11:32 a.m.
President-elect Donald Trump has taken the stage for his inauguration.
The Republican businessman from New York flashed a thumbs-up to the crowd as he was introduced.
Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence took the stage at the Capitol minutes after President Barack Obama and members of his family and administration.
Trump will soon be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States.
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11:30 a.m.
Hundreds of people who worked for President Barack Obama are arriving at Andrews Air Force Base to hear some final parting words from the soon-to-be ex-president.
Hours before Obama was to speak, former White House and administration staffers are gathering in a hangar where a small stage with a lone American flag was set up for him.
Obama and his wife, Michelle, are leaving the Capitol by military helicopter after witnessing Donald Trump’s swearing-in, and they’re being flown to the base in Maryland just outside Washington.
The Obamas will vacation in Palm Springs, California.
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11:25 a.m.
The dais is filled for the inauguration on the West Front of the Capitol.
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have taken their seats.
And President-elect Donald Trump’s family is ready.
The stage is set for Donald Trump to be sworn in as the next president of the United States.
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11:20 a.m.
In the crowd gathered on the National Mall for the inauguration, there’s no shortage of fans of Democratic figures.
Big cheers went up when images were shown of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who ran for president against Hillary Clinton. But the biggest cheer so far for a Democrat has gone to first lady Michelle Obama. She received sustained applause as people watched her appear on the television screens.
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11:15 a.m.
As Donald Trump and President Barack Obama made their way to the Capitol, police were confronting a group of demonstrators wearing black in downtown Washington, and authorities were using what appeared to be pepper spray.
Protesters were carrying signs denouncing capitalism and Trump.
Police cordoned off about 100 demonstrators who chanted “hands up, don’t shoot.”
A helicopter hovered overhead.
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11:10 a.m.
President Barack Obama and his successor, Donald Trump, have arrived at the Capitol for Trump’s swearing-in ceremony.
Trump is joined by his family, including his five children Eric, Don Jr., Ivanka, Tiffany and youngest son, Barron.
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11:05 a.m.
Incoming first lady Melania (meh-LAH’-nee-ah) Trump is wearing a sky blue cashmere jacket and mock turtleneck combination by Ralph Lauren for Inauguration Day.
In a statement, the Lauren Corp. says: “It was important to us to uphold and celebrate the tradition of creating iconic American style for this moment.”
Mrs. Trump’s hair is in a soft updo and accessorized with long suede gloves and matching stilettos. She was greeted at the White House by President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. Mrs. Obama was wearing red, short-sleeve dress.
Ivanka Trump chose Oscar de la Renta, and Hillary Clinton showed up in a white Ralph Lauren pantsuit that harkened back to the one she wore to accept the Democratic nomination for president at her party’s convention in July. Her jacket matched.
Who else made a large fashion statement for Trump’s big day?
Trump senior adviser Kellyanne Conway wore a military-style wool coat by Gucci of red, white and blue, with two rows of cat-head buttons and a matching red cloche hat. She described her look as “Trump revolutionary wear.”
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11 a.m
President Barack Obama’s departing White House staff is offering a subtle message on the walls of their lower press office as he leaves office.
Obama aides left up on a wall printed front pages from some of Obama’s biggest moments, including his 2009 inaugural, his signing of his health care law and the death of Osama bin Laden.
The wall typically features the day’s front pages. The compilation of Obama front pages was put up about a week ago.
Obama’s press offices were largely emptied out when Trump arrived at the White House for tea with the outgoing president.
It was unclear whether the front pages will still be there when Trump’s team arrives. A cleaning crew was expected to prepare the premises for the incoming administration.
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10:55 a.m.
Hillary Clinton says she’s attending Donald Trump’s inauguration to “honor our democracy.”
Clinton made the comment on Twitter Trump took the oath of office. Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton are both in attendance.
Here’s what Clinton is saying: “I’m here today to honor our democracy & its enduring values. I will never stop believing in our country & its future.”
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10:50 a.m.
President Barack Obama and his successor, Donald Trump, are departing the White House to head to Trump’s inauguration.
The pair got into a limousine that will take them to the Capitol.
Also on their way are Vice President Joe Biden, first lady Michelle Obama and Trump’s wife, Melania (meh-LAH’-nee-ah).
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10:35 a.m.
Crowds on the National Mall _ where people without tickets can watch the inauguration _ are growing steadily.
But less than two hours before the swearing-in, there are still wide swaths of empty space. There are strong suggestions that the crowds will not match President Barack Obama’s first inaugural eight years ago.
Some people were prevented by security barriers from getting closer to the Capitol despite having plenty of space in front of them.
The grass on the Mall was protected by white plastic and there were some muddy spots amid intermittent rain.
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10:33 a.m.
Most of the Donald Trump backers who are walking to the inauguration past Union Station in Washington are trying to ignore protesters outside the train station.
Then there’s Doug Rahm, who engaged in a lengthy and sometimes profane yelling match with protesters.
“Get a job,” Rahm said. “Stop crying snowflakes, Trump won.”
Rahm _ who’s from Philadelphia and does high-rise restorations, is with Bikers for Trump. He says the protesters should get behind the new president.
He says, “This is unite America day.”
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10:25 a.m.
President Barack Obama has left a letter for his successor in the Oval Office before departing the White House _ as is the tradition from one president to the next.
The White House is providing no details about what Obama conveyed to Donald Trump.
Obama campaigned vigorously against Trump. But the president and president-elect have had regular phone conversations since the election, with the president offering guidance and advice.
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10:20 a.m.
Belgium’s prime minister hopes Donald Trump will uphold NATO’s security guarantees and live up to the expectations of the American people.
Charles Michel says in a statement before Trump takes the oath of office that “it is essential that our engagement is maintained” to guarantee peace and stability through NATO.
Trump has called NATO “obsolete” and says European members aren’t paying their fair share.
Michel’s statement contains no congratulations. He does say “the expectations of the American people are high” and hopes Trump “will be able to deliver.”
Michel also says the European Union is entering a new era and it’s his belief “that Europe more than ever needs to defend its own agenda and interests.”
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10:05 a.m.
The White House says members of the residence staff have presented President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama with two American flags that were flown atop the building.
One of the flags was flown on the first day of Obama’s presidency. The other was flown on his final morning as president.
The Obamas are preparing to depart the White House for the last time as president and first lady when they head to Donald Trump’s inauguration.
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9:45 a.m.
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are asking the public to help them develop projects for his new presidential center on Chicago’s South Side.
The Obamas are starting up a foundation website _ Obama.org _ in the hours before Donald Trump is inaugurated the 45th president.
Obama says the foundation’s projects will be developed “all over the city, the country and the world.” He asks Americans to “tell us what you want this project to be and tell us what’s on your mind.”
The foundation is developing Obama’s presidential library and center in Chicago.
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9:40 a.m.
Donald Trump is heading to the White House to meet with President Barack Obama.
Trump has left St. John’s Church across from the White House. He paused to shake hands with a clergy member at the door and then walked to his waiting vehicle.
There were cheers from supporters as Trump left the church.
He was followed by family members and Vice President-elect Mike Pence. Pence said he was “very humbled” when he was asked about his message for the day.
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9:35 a.m.
President Barack Obama is taking a final stroll from the Oval Office through the Rose Garden as a sitting president. He’s soon to welcome his successor, Donald Trump, to the White House.
Obama was seen leaving papers on his desk in the Oval Office. He’s told reporters he’s feeling nostalgic on his final day as president.
He says his final message to the American people is “thank you.”
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9:30 a.m.
President Barack Obama is bidding farewell on Twitter.
Here’s what it says on the official presidential account: “It’s been the honor of my life to serve you.”
The president has been striking an optimistic tone in the final days of his administration.
He tells followers that he’s “still asking you to believe – not in my ability to bring about change, but in yours.”
The president is also asking people to share their thoughts about the focus of his new foundation’s work.
He says: “I won’t stop; I’ll be right there with you as a citizen, inspired by your voices of truth and justice, good humor, and love.”
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9:25 a.m.
Donald Trump will soon have a new home _ the White House.
But what about another property just down Pennsylvania Avenue: the hotel he leases from the federal government at the Old Post Office building.
The contract with the General Services Administration bars elected officials from benefiting from it. Yet Trump hasn’t said he’s divested from the hotel _ and he hasn’t tried to alter the contract.
House Democrats say GSA officials told them that Trump would violate the contract the moment he takes office. The GSA has said publicly it won’t weigh in on the matter until after Trump’s in office.
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9:20 a.m.
Protesters are trying to block access to security checkpoints across Washington to prevent spectators from making to Donald Trump’s inauguration festivities.
But so far, they’re not having too much success.
At one checkpoint a line of protesters are chanting “this checkpoint is closed” but a video of the scene posted online shows people going around them.
Police are directing people to walk around the lines of protesters.
The Washington Post is quoting a Washington police officer by name and saying one checkpoint was shut down at 8:30 a.m. due to protesters.
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9:15 a.m.
Moscow is hoping for better ties with the United States, and Russian officials and lawmakers are welcoming Donald Trump’s inauguration as the start of a potential new chapter.
In Moscow and other Russian cities, people have gathered at parties to celebrate Trump’s impending ascension to power.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (dih-MEE’-tree med-VYEH’-dyev) says that while Trump’s policy toward Russia is unclear yet, “we are hoping that reason will prevail.”
Medvedev says on Facebook: “We are ready to do our share of the work in order to improve the relationship.”
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9:10 a.m.
About 100 protesters are attempting to block a gate near the inaugural parade route in Washington.
They’re calling for a response to climate change and they’re holding signs that say “Resist Trump, climate justice now.”
There are also chants of “This is what democracy looks like!”
Police are keeping a lane open for ticket holders to get through.
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9:05 a.m.
House Democrats will wear special buttons at Donald Trump’s inauguration as a silent protest of Republican efforts to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law.
The blue buttons say (hash)protectourcare. That’s a Twitter hashtag that some advocacy groups have been using to rally support for the law.
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi has asked Democrats to show solidarity at the swearing-in and wear the buttons.
More than 50 House Democrats plan to boycott the ceremony. Some are citing Trump’s criticism of John Lewis, the Georgia congressman and civil rights leader who’s questioned Trump’s legitimacy to be the next president.
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8:55 a.m.
Donald Trump says his inauguration will have “an unbelievable, perhaps record-setting turnout.” Organizers of a protest the next day say their event will be the biggest demonstration in history to welcome a new president.
But how many people will show up at those gatherings? That’s a question that may never be answered satisfactorily.
There won’t be an official tally at Friday’s inaugural festivities or the Women’s March on Washington on Saturday.
For decades, the National Park Service provided official crowd estimates for gatherings on the National Mall.
But the agency stopped providing counts after organizers at 1995’s Million Man March threatened a lawsuit. They complained that the National Park Service undercounted attendance at the march.
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8:50 a.m.
It was still dark when Jeff McNeely and Rob Wyatt woke up and caught an early train to Washington for Donald Trump’s inauguration.
The political activists from North Carolina say they supported Trump from early on and wanted to witness the historic day in person.
McNeely calls Trump’s victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton “the greatest political upset of all time.”
Wyatt wants Americans to give Trump “the opportunity to learn.” Wyatt says Trump’s “going to make mistakes,” but he also says, “so has every president we’ve had.”
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8:45 a.m.
Actor Matthew McConaughey says the American people need to “embrace” the fact that Donald Trump won the election and make the best of the next four years.
The movie star says Americans need to “shake hands with the fact that this is happening and it’s going down.”
McConaughey is in London promoting two new movies and says he’s planning to watch the swearing-in live.
He’s predicting that “it’s going to be a dynamic four years.”
