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The InaugurationLive coverage begins at 8 a.m. ET

Trump grants clemency to 143 people in late-night pardon, commutation blast

In his last full day in office, President Trump pardoned former adviser Stephen K. Bannon, GOP donor Elliott Broidy and a raft of well-connected celebrities, politicians and nonviolent drug offenders, but he did not preemptively pardon himself or his family members.

By Rosalind S. Helderman, Josh Dawsey and Beth Reinhard32 minutes ago

Self-styled militia members made plans to storm Capitol before attack, charges say

Unsealed court documents allege some who attacked the Capitol communicated as they breached opposite sides of the building and talked about hunting for lawmakers to make “citizen’s arrests.”

By Spencer S. Hsu, Tom Jackman and Devlin Barrett

Pa. woman charged in theft of laptop from Speaker Pelosi’s office

Biden opens inaugural proceedings by memorializing 400,000 Americans lost to covid

By Matt Viser and Annie Linskey

12 National Guard members to be removed from inauguration duty

The service members include at least two with possible sympathies for anti-government groups and others flagged following a background check, officials said.

By Dan Lamothe, Alex Horton and Paul Sonne

Hawley moves to block swift confirmation for Biden’s homeland security pick

Republican senators pressed Alejandro Mayorkas on his border enforcement plans and past scrutiny of his actions during the Obama administration.

By Nick Miroff and Maria Sacchetti

Uncertainty reigns in Senate as Schumer pushes fast agenda and McConnell calls out Trump

Less than a day before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, it remains unclear when his nominees will be confirmed, when President Trump’s impeachment trial will begin, or how the Senate will manage a 50-50 divide.

By Mike DeBonis and Paul Kane

Trump’s final day: A diminished and aggrieved president stays out of public view before exit

By Philip Rucker, Ashley Parker and Josh Dawsey48 minutes ago

Vice President Pence handles tasks declined by Trump in final days

By Ashley Parker

Jason Wu’s dress for Michelle Obama in 2009 made him an overnight sensation. (AFP/Getty Images)

Analysis

America doesn’t need inaugural balls. But there’s something lost when they disappear.

Joe Biden won’t get to have these traditional parties, where the symbolism resonates beyond the dance floor.

By Roxanne Roberts

INAUGURATION GUIDE

Celebrities avoided Trump and D.C. for years. Here are the stars returning for Biden’s inauguration.

By Emily Yahr

Opinions

Biden will deliver a ‘message of unity.’ It’s not what the country needs to hear.

Opinion by Dana Milbank

America is fragile this Inauguration Day. Our power rests in the ability to pick ourselves up.

Opinion by Michele L. Norris

Celebrate, despite everything

Opinion by the Editorial Board

Trump leaves a scorched landscape. But Biden brings hope at last.

Opinion by Eugene Robinson

Joe Biden is my president

Opinion by Marc A. Thiessen

There’s no wrong way to swear in a president. History shows us that.

Opinion by David Von Drehle

Coronavirus

U.S. surpasses 400,000 deaths as Biden invites the country to mourn together

The U.S. reached that devastating milestone Tuesday, the eve of the first anniversary of the first confirmed U.S. case.

By Reis Thebault and Lateshia Beachum

(Video: JM Rieger/The Post)

The FixAnalysis

Trump’s administration fell far short of its own vaccine promises

The Trump administration promised to deliver 40 million coronavirus vaccine doses in December. It hasn’t even delivered 32 million doses.

By JM Rieger

FAA approves airport coronavirus screenings, paving way for first program to launch in Iowa

By Ian Duncan

By The Way

A man tried to save a United passenger who died of covid-19. The airline offered him $200.

By Hannah Sampson

Justice Dept. will not pursue charges against Sen. Burr, who came under scrutiny for stock sales at outset of pandemic

By Matt Zapotosky and Felicia Sonmez

Voice of America overseer spent $2 million investigating employees, complaint alleges

By Paul Farhi

Top Fox News managers depart amid Murdoch’s concerns over controversial Arizona election night projection

By Sarah Ellison

Guide to the PandemicFull Coverage

Vaccinations

Your questions about the coronavirus vaccines, answered

Eight facts to combat common covid-19 misinformation

By Marisa Iati

The covid-19 symptoms to watch out for

U.S. deaths reported per day

Your Life At Home

You probably didn’t expect to move back in with your parents. Here’s how to make the best of it.

He escaped the cacophony by strapping on snowshoes and slipping into the Great North Woods

Road to Recovery

Dollar General will pay workers to get the coronavirus vaccine

The pandemic crashed the party for caterers, who are struggling even more than restaurants to pivot

Don’t Miss

The CritiquePerspective

Pocket squares and pearls convey a stylish team’s message

By Robin Givhan

Most people know her as Jill Biden. But to some she is Dr. B, the compassionate and challenging educator who went the extra mile.

By Lauren Lumpkin

Doug Emhoff gets to define a role as America’s first male spouse of a vice president

By Manuel Roig-Franzia

How cartoonists are satirizing Trump’s White House farewell

By Michael Cavna

Trending

Alice Li/The Washington Post

Downtown D.C. is a fortress as inauguration nears

The heart of the nation’s capital is a maze of fences, concrete barriers and security checkpoints ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20.

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Politics

President Trump boards Air Force One after visiting the U.S.-Mexico border wall Jan. 12. (Reuters)

Analysis

With his final words, Trump reminds America which Americans he cares about

By Philip Bump

Lloyd Austin, Biden’s nominee to lead Pentagon, vows to take on extremism in the military

If confirmed, Austin will face a host of other challenges, including a rising China and defense alliances strained by hostility from Trump.

By Missy Ryan and Paul Sonne

Analysis

Trump’s ‘patriotic education’ report excuses Founding Fathers for owning slaves, likens progressives to Mussolini

By Valerie Strauss

Retropolis: Trump commission’s ‘1776 Report’ outrages historians

Georgia certifies Ossoff and Warnock victories, paving way for Democratic control of Senate

By Amy Gardner and Erica Werner

Senate impeachment whip count: Where Democrats and Republicans stand

By Ashlyn Still and JM Rieger

Who Joe Biden has picked to fill his Cabinet

By Washington Post Staff

World

(Johan Ordonez/AFP/Getty Images)

U.S.-bound caravan thwarted in Guatemala as pressure against migrants continues

Some in the caravan were aware that President-elect Joe Biden was days away from taking office in D.C. and were hopeful that he would make it easier for migrants to enter the United States.

By Kevin Sieff

Author who claimed to be independent expert in foreign affairs was secretly an agent for Iran, U.S. officials allege

Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi appeared in court in Boston late Tuesday afternoon.

By Shayna Jacobs

Biden’s plan to cancel Keystone pipeline signals a rocky start with Canada

Relations are expected to improve with President Trump’s departure. But the pipeline project, supported by Canada, is a “toe stubber.”

By Amanda Coletta

At the 11th hour, Trump administration declares China’s treatment of Muslims in Xinjiang ‘genocide’

By John Hudson

After historic unpopularity of Trump in Western Europe, new poll suggests broad approval of Biden

By Adam Taylor

China rushes to build coronavirus quarantine center for 4,000 as it battles local outbreaks

By Miriam Berger

National

(Jose Luis Magana/AP)

He gave an interview right after storming the U.S. Capitol. It led the FBI straight to him.

By Marisa Iati and Paulina Firozi

College Board is scrapping SAT’s optional essay and subject tests

Officials say they want to ease demands on students. A revision of the SAT is also planned.

By Nick Anderson

Capital Weather Gang

What a ‘wrecked’ polar vortex means for winter-starved Americans

It’s been an easy winter on the East Coast, but that’s not guaranteed to continue.

By Matthew Cappucci

Federal circuit court scraps Trump administration’s power plant rule

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a Trump administration rule on carbon dioxide emissions, effectively restoring President Obama's Clean Power Plan.

By Steven Mufson

High winds buffet California, raising wildfire danger and cutting power in some areas

Damaging Santa Ana winds are ramping up across California, with gusts above hurricane force (74 mph) expected. Wildfire risks are "critical" in parts of the state.

By Andrew Freedman

D.C., Md. & Va.

Frustration grows as region struggles to meet vaccine demand

Complaints over distribution is sparking friction among local leaders and forcing some jurisdictions in the Washington region to pause appointments.

By Ovetta Wiggins, Rebecca Tan and Rachel Chason

Hogan to call for more education funds, $1 billion in economic aid

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) will release a fiscal 2022 budget that he says would include $750 payments to the state’s poorest residents.

By Ovetta Wiggins

(AP)

Kamala Harris’s D.C.: Bridging Black and White, rich and poor, newly arrived and deeply rooted

Harris has lived in the city as a student, a senator and soon as a history-making vice president who is eager to be part of the community.

By Sydney Trent

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser says she’ll welcome visitors soon — but not now

By Julie Zauzmer

Va. state senator who praised rioters removed from committee

By Gregory S. Schneider and Laura Vozzella

Capital Weather Gang

PM Update: Some snowflakes may fly late tonight into Wednesday morning as chilly winds whip up

By Ian Livingston

Known coronavirus deaths and cases per 100 thousand

FAQ: What to know about restrictions and safety

Going Out Guide

How Alexa Paulay-Simmons of ‘Deaf U’ would spend a perfect day in D.C.

She appeared on the Netflix docuseries about students at Gallaudet University.

By Angela Haupt

We lost Johnny’s Half Shell to the pandemic. After 20 years, it deserves a farewell toast.

Remembering Johnny’s Half Shell for Ann Cashion’s food, John Fulchino’s service — and a singular experience.

By Tom Sietsema

Take in Inauguration Day from home with these food and drink specials and virtual events

Local bars and restaurants have cooked up commemorative dishes to help make your sofa feel more festive.

By Fritz Hahn

Real Estate

D.C. condo building is in the thick of mixed-use development

For homeowners associations and condo boards, the show must go online

Five ways to protect yourself from housing scams

Business & Technology

(Alex Brandon/AP)

Exiled from social media mainstream, Trump and his followers will find life different at the extreme corners of the Web

By Craig Timberg and Drew Harwell

Janet Yellen faces critical choice for global economy rocked by pandemic

More than 180 countries across the globe have pushed for the International Monetary Fund to approve emergency financial backing for nations reeling from the devastating economic impact of the coronavirus.

By Jeff Stein and David J. Lynch

Before shortened NASA SLS rocket engine test, officials predicted only a 50 percent chance of complete success

During a private briefing Tuesday morning, industry officials said their expectations for successfully completing all the test objectives had been only “50/50.”

By Christian Davenport

My Pillow CEO says Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohl’s, Wayfair are dropping his products over false election-fraud claims

Mike Lindell, a major Republican donor, has repeatedly pushed false claims that widespread voter fraud cost President Trump the 2020 election.

By Taylor Telford

Market Watch

Last Updated: 01/19/2021

Dow 30,930.52

Today 0.38%

S&P 3,798.91

Today 0.81%

NASDAQ 13,197.18

Today 1.53%

Health & Science

Analysis

Stacy Milrany put up a Little Free Art Gallery in front of her Seattle home. (Winnie Westergard)

Inspired Life

Great Works, In FocusPerspective

The drama is in the details

A heron, a shepherd and a rabbit all add to a sense of dazzling profusion and potential in Giovanni Bellini’s “St. Francis in the Desert.”

By Sebastian Smee

Movie Review

With sophistication and restraint, ‘My Little Sister’ tells an engrossing tale of sibling love

This Swiss Oscar submission paints a portrait of a woman trying to save her brother’s life.

By Ann Hornaday

RetropolisThe Past, Rediscovered

The Marine Band has played at every inauguration since Jefferson. It’s one tradition that will carry on this year.

After fear, violence and shattered traditions, the Marine Band hopes to lift the nation’s spirits.

By Michael E. Ruane

Book Review