PR in the Philippines

This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIME’s politics newsletter. Sign up to get stories like this sent to your inbox. Since the election, Mary Kramer, a Baltimore healthcare worker, has largely avoided the news, only briefly tuning in for President Carter's funeral. She describes her feelings about President-elect Trump's return to power using words like "despondent," "devastated," and "destroyed." At a rally on the National Mall, the 65-year-old reflected on the difference between this protest and one she attended eight years prior. "Eight years ago, I still had hope. I still had the fight in me," she said. "This weekend is far from the march I attended eight years ago. That had hope and fight.” Observing the smaller turnout, she expressed pessimism about the prospects of a female president in the U.S., stating, “This country is just never going to elect a woman… I’m of a mind that we are not going to have a Constitution or a democracy by the time this ends. All because we just won’t vote for a woman.” In stark contrast to the large, hopeful demonstrations eight years earlier, this rally was smaller and held under dreary conditions. The partially frozen Reflecting Pool and the tall security fencing served as stark reminders of Trump's impending inauguration. Many attendees felt like a minority bracing for Trump's return, frustrated by their limited ability to oppose him given his allies' control of Congress and the Supreme Court. Unlike the earlier "Resistance," this felt muted, more like a collective therapy session. While some signs and slogans were familiar, others reflected recent events and commentary from figures like Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. However, there was little confidence that this rally—covering issues from environmental justice to trans rights—would significantly impact the political landscape beyond reinforcing existing beliefs within the Left. “I am tired. I am exhausted. I am angry,” said Nancy Casavis, a 66-year-old retired teacher wearing anti-Trump attire. She expressed concern for future generations and her determination to continue protesting, documenting her participation for her family. However, not all attendees shared the same level of despair. Celia Laurent, a 65-year-old state administrator, acknowledged the reality of Trump's election while emphasizing the need for continued protests. The significantly smaller turnout was undeniable. Anneka Hall, a 54-year-old real estate appraiser, who traveled from California to attend Trump's inauguration, noted the drastic difference in size between this rally and the one eight years prior, estimating this one to be only 1% of the previous one. Despite the smaller turnout, Hall listened to the speakers and expressed openness to understanding opposing viewpoints, acknowledging the perceived radicalization of the other side. This lack of engagement from Democratic institutionalists contrasted with the more informal atmosphere, which served as a safe space for those surrounded by supporters of Trump in the city. “I feel lost and defeated,” said Esther Vogelzang, a 57-year-old mental health therapist. “I was worried people wouldn’t show up. But it turns out I am not alone.” While not alone, the significantly smaller turnout indicated a stark difference in the political landscape, foreshadowing a much different second Trump term for Democrats. Make sense of what matters in Washington. .

President-elect Donald Trump indicated on Saturday a high probability of granting TikTok a 90-day extension to finalize a deal preventing a U.S. ban. In an NBC News interview, Trump stated that while he hadn't made a final decision, he was considering this reprieve after his inauguration on Monday. A law barring mobile app stores and internet hosting services from distributing TikTok to U.S. users takes effect Sunday. This law, passed by Congress and signed by President Biden last year, mandated that TikTok's Chinese parent company sell its U.S. operations within nine months to an approved entity. The law permits presidential extension if a sale is underway. Trump stated on “Meet the Press” that a 90-day extension was a likely option, describing it as "appropriate." He emphasized the need for careful consideration given the situation's significance and indicated a potential Monday announcement. Both the White House Press Secretary and Deputy Attorney General clarified on Friday that the Biden administration would defer implementation to Trump, given the timing of his inauguration. TikTok subsequently issued a statement requesting a definitive assurance from the Biden administration that the law would not be enforced, and that app stores and other U.S. companies would not face penalties for continued availability of TikTok. Without such assurances, TikTok warned of being forced to cease operation, without specifying whether this meant a voluntary shutdown or suspension following loss of service provider access. The White House dismissed TikTok's statement as a "stunt," asserting that no reason exists for such action before Trump's inauguration, and reiterating that implementation falls to the incoming administration. Apple, Google, and Oracle (TikTok's data host) have yet to comment on their Sunday plans.

(To get this story in your inbox, subscribe to the TIME CO2 Leadership Report newsletter .) My work covering climate change has taken me to various communities globally impacted by climate-related disasters, including drought-stricken Costa Rica. Recently, I returned to Los Angeles, where my family lost our home and a significant portion of our community was destroyed by wildfires. As a climate journalist, I emphasize that these are not isolated incidents; climate change's effects will eventually impact everyone. For my community, that "eventually" arrived last week. While still processing the loss, I plan to share more personal reflections on the fires in the coming weeks. This week, I'll focus on the wildfires' intersection with business and climate. This event vividly illustrates the multifaceted ways climate change will affect American businesses and the U.S. economy. Initial estimates of the damage and economic costs reach approximately $250 billion, potentially making it the costliest U.S. disaster. This includes the value of lost Los Angeles real estate and secondary impacts on employment and health. While $250 billion is substantial, it might seem a minor setback in a $30 trillion U.S. economy. Goldman Sachs analysts predict a mere 0.2 percentage point reduction in first-quarter U.S. growth. The wildfires will likely cause inflation due to increased demand for various goods, but economists anticipate these national effects will be relatively small. However, these headline figures mask far-reaching and unexpected consequences for specific companies and industries. While communities directly affected will bear the brunt, events like the California wildfires can raise costs nationwide. Consider the utility sector. Edison International's stock price, the utility servicing much of Southern California, plummeted nearly 30% due to fears of liability for the Eaton Fire. Nationwide, investors are assessing the risk to the entire sector. A study in the journal Nature Sustainability analyzed the economic effects of 2018 California wildfires. It revealed that most economic impacts stemmed from indirect losses, often in locations and industries seemingly distant from the fires. These losses include air pollution's health effects and disruptions to California's chemical manufacturing industry. Over half of the "indirect losses" from over a dozen wildfires that year occurred outside California. The widespread nature of climate-related events will intensify with increasing frequency and severity. While a 0.2 percentage point growth impact might seem insignificant, what happens with multiple such events annually? More importantly, what happens when these events directly affect your home or business? Throughout my career covering climate change, I've heard politicians claim that catastrophic climate-related events will finally spur policy action and public awareness. Observing the varied responses to these wildfires, I'm skeptical, but hopeful that recognizing the far-reaching impacts will at least foster a shift in perspective.

Following the Supreme Court's affirmation of the TikTok ban, President-elect Trump now holds the app's fate. The Biden administration declared it wouldn't enforce the ban, scheduled for January 19th, the day before Trump's inauguration. Trump stated on Truth Social, “The Supreme Court ruling was anticipated, and everyone must respect it. My decision on TikTok will be announced soon, but I need time to assess the situation.” Trump previously urged the Supreme Court to delay the ban, seeking a "political solution." However, his current stance contrasts with his 2020 position advocating for a TikTok ban. A federal judge blocked that action in December 2020. Trump remarked at a post-election press conference, “I'm fond of TikTok; I won the youth vote by 34 points, and some say TikTok contributed to that.” The U.S. first considered a TikTok ban in 2019, two years after ByteDance acquired Musical.ly, later integrated into TikTok. The ban follows President Biden's April signing of a bipartisan law mandating ByteDance divest from TikTok or face a U.S. ban, citing national security concerns due to the app's links to China. During Supreme Court arguments, Solicitor General Elizaveth Prelogar argued China could exploit U.S. user data for harassment, recruitment, and espionage. ByteDance has refused to sell TikTok, claiming the law violates its First Amendment rights and those of its 170 million American users. The court's decision stated, “For over 170 million Americans, TikTok provides a significant platform for expression, engagement, and community. However, Congress concluded divestiture is necessary to address well-founded national security concerns about TikTok's data practices and relationship with a foreign adversary.” On Friday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that due to the ban's timing, “implementation falls to the incoming administration.”  Trump mentioned earlier Friday that he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about TikTok and other issues, stating, “President Xi and I will strive for a more peaceful and secure world.”  Discussions about the platform's future are ongoing. Trump met with TikTok CEO Shou Chew in December. Following the Supreme Court ruling, Chew, while acknowledging the unfavorable outcome, thanked Trump for his “commitment to finding a solution that keeps TikTok in the U.S.,” noting over 60 billion views of Trump's content on the app. Chew confirmed the company is working to maintain the app's U.S. availability. Mike Waltz, Trump's national security advisor nominee, told Fox News, “TikTok is a great platform. We'll find a way to preserve it while protecting user data.”

President Trump's second inauguration will be held indoors due to sub-20-degree Fahrenheit temperatures and a wind chill making it feel like single digits in Washington, D.C. on Monday. Trump will be sworn in as the 47th U.S. President inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, with the inaugural parade taking place at the Capital One Arena. He is not the first president to move his inauguration indoors due to extreme cold. This will be the first indoor inauguration since 1985, when President Reagan's second swearing-in ceremony was held inside the Capitol rotunda in 7-degree weather. The inaugural parade, featuring an Alaskan dogsled team, was cancelled. In 1909, President William Taft's inauguration took place inside the Senate chamber following a blizzard that dumped nearly 10 inches of snow on D.C. However, the parade proceeded outdoors with 20,000 participants. “I always knew it would be a cold day in hell when I became president,” Taft reportedly quipped to the Washington Post. Some presidents have held outdoor inauguration events despite freezing temperatures, such as President [Name Redacted], who was sworn in at 22 degrees Fahrenheit. Eight inches of snow fell unexpectedly the previous day, “paralyzing” the D.C. area, according to the Washington Post, but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cleared the snow in time for the ceremony and parade. Trump advised attendees to dress warmly but also suggested watching the events on television. As he stated on January 17th on Truth Social, “I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way.”

Donald Trump's swearing-in as President will occur on Monday, January 20th. Inauguration Day, held every four years at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., falls on January 20th. If January 20th is a Sunday, the oath of office is administered privately that day, with the public inauguration following on January 21st, according to Shannon Bow O’Brien, an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin. The day's events include the swearing-in ceremony, the inaugural address, and the inaugural luncheon. For Trump's inauguration, various musical artists will perform, including Grammy-winning country singer Carrie Underwood, who is scheduled to sing "America the Beautiful." However, Inauguration Day wasn't always in January. Initially, Congress designated March 4, 1789, as the commencement date for the new government. Severe winter weather delayed George Washington's inauguration until April 30, 1789, in New York City (then the nation's capital), O’Brien explains. For over a century, subsequent Presidents and Vice Presidents were typically sworn in on March 4th. The extended period between Election Day and Inauguration Day partly stemmed from the time needed to count votes and the slower travel due to poor road conditions, according to History.com and O’Brien. This lengthy gap sometimes created difficulties between outgoing and incoming administrations. “We have a period with two Presidents effectively functioning concurrently,” O’Brien notes. “Currently, Donald Trump remains a private citizen until Monday, yet he's treated almost like the President, while Joe Biden is largely taking a backseat. We essentially have two Presidents, a situation that previously lasted about four months.” This was a key reason for changing Inauguration Day. Technological advancements accelerated vote counting, and improved travel and road conditions contributed to the change, according to History.com and O’Brien. Consequently, the 20th Amendment was ratified in 1933, shifting Inauguration Day to January 20th and the first session of Congress to January 3rd. This new tradition began four years later, in 1937.

Thousands of firefighters, first responders, and National Guard personnel are battling devastating Los Angeles wildfires, among the worst in California's history. The Palisades and Eaton Fires, burning for ten days, have destroyed 12,000 structures, claimed at least 27 lives, and scorched nearly 40,000 acres (including smaller, extinguished fires). These rank as the second and fourth most destructive fires in the state's history. Experts note similarities between these fires and the destructive 2018 Camp Fire, but the Los Angeles fires are unique due to their rapid spread and urban nature—burning through structures, using buildings as fuel rather than primarily trees. “Wind conditions carry embers over a mile, igniting flammable materials in homes and neighborhoods,” explains California state marshal Daniel Berlant. The 2020 August Complex Fire burned over 1 million acres but damaged only 935 structures. The 2021 Dixie Fire, also in Northern California, had similar acreage damage, affecting just over 1,300 structures. These remain the two largest California wildfires. The Dixie and August Complex Fires occurred during the typical spring-to-fall wildfire season. However, climate change has extended the wildfire threat year-round. “In less than a decade, California has seen its largest, most damaging, and deadliest wildfires,” says Berlant. “Our climate naturally lends itself to wildfires, but recently, a combination of factors has created this immense crisis, including climate change.” The recent fires' rapid spread is attributed to Southern California's lack of rainfall and winds exceeding 80 miles per hour. Increased aid for firefighters has been implemented. In 2024, CalFire received a budget increase of 47% since 2018, doubling its personnel. Efforts focus on fire response, community preparedness, and forest restoration. As of Friday, the Palisades and Eaton Fires are 31% and 65% contained, respectively, though stronger winds are forecast. U.S. Fire administrator Lori Moore-Merrell states that while the death toll is still uncertain, early warnings based on anticipated weather conditions likely saved lives. “We anticipated the Santa Ana winds and drought, so we knew a fire would be severe,” she says. “Early evacuation warnings were heeded, preventing a drastic increase in fatalities, unlike the Paradise Fire or the 2023 Lahaina Maui Fire.” Improvements in evacuation messaging and traffic management are needed, however. State officials are seeking increased funding to combat wildfires. California Gov. Gavin Newsom requested $2.5 billion for emergency response and recovery in Los Angeles on January 13. This would aid in rebuilding schools and improving preparedness. FEMA provided a $770 stipend for essential items and offers further disaster assistance and local aid centers. FEMA did not respond to TIME's request for comment. While California wildfires are a natural occurrence, the threat of urban conflagrations extends beyond the state. Moore-Merrell notes this is the third urban conflagration under the Biden Administration. The others were the 2021 Marshall Fire in Colorado (6,000+ acres, 1,000 homes) and the August 2023 Lahaina Fire in Maui (over 100 deaths, extensive damage). The Maui fire was the fifth deadliest U.S. wildland fire. “Wildfire risk is increasing nationwide,” she concludes.