2025 in United States politics and government

{{Short description|Overview of the events of 2025 in the United States}}

{{see also|2025 in the United States|2025 in politics and government|2020s in political history}}

{{Year topic navigation|2020|the United States|United States politics and government}}

Events in 2025 pertaining to politics and government in the United States.

National politics

=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{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/06/climate/biden-oil-gas-drilling-ban.html |title=Biden Bans New Oil and Gas Drilling Along Most U.S. Coasts |date=January 6, 2025 |last=Friedman |first=Lisa |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 9, 2025}} and designating the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/07/climate/biden-national-monuments-california.html |title=Biden to Designate Chuckwalla and Sáttítla National Monuments in California |date=January 7, 2025 |last=Friedman |first=Lisa |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 9, 2025}} He awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to eighteen individuals, primarily philanthropists, Democratic politicians, and donors.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/04/biden-george-soros-hillary-clinton-presidential-medal/ |title=Biden awards Medal of Freedom to Soros, Ralph Lauren and others |date=January 4, 2025 |last1=Reston |first1=Maeve |last2=Tashjian |first2=Rachel |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=January 9, 2025}} Several national crises occurred during Biden's final month, such as the 2025 New Orleans truck attack{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/new-orleans-truck-attack/card/biden-decries-despicable-attack-KwhVuv61m9hQqzNjlA1L |title=Biden Decries 'Despicable' Attack |date=January 1, 2025 |last=Lucey |first=Catherine |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=January 9, 2025}} and the January 2025 Southern California wildfires.{{Cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-09/biden-to-address-the-nation-about-la-fires |title='We're not going anywhere': Biden says federal government will cover 100% of disaster aid |date=January 9, 2025 |last=Pinho |first=Faith |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=January 9, 2025}} He continued to release prisoners from Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, leaving fifteen men by the time he will conclude office,{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/06/us/politics/guantanamo-prisoners-oman.html |title=U.S. Sends 11 Guantánamo Prisoners to Oman to Start New Lives |date=January 6, 2025 |last=Rosenberg |first=Carol |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 9, 2025}} 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.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/01/09/khalid-sheikh-mohammed-plea-911-court/ |title=Appeals court blocks accused Sept. 11 plotter's plea after U.S. balks |date=January 9, 2025 |last1=Hsu |first1=Spencer |last2=Hauslohner |first2=Abigail |last3=Ryan |first3=Missy |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=January 9, 2025}}

=Congress=

The 119th United States Congress began at 12 p.m. EST on January 3, 2025, following the adjournment of the 118th Congress.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/03/us/house-speaker-vote-johnson-trump/a8933e5d-9e1a-53e8-88fa-eec14eb256fc |title=The 118th Congress has officially been adjourned, Johnson declares to applause. |date=January 3, 2025 |last=Edmondson |first=Catie |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 6, 2025}} 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.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/02/johnson-speaker-bid-trouble-despite-trump-endorse/ |title=Mike Johnson's House speaker bid looks shaky despite Trump endorsement |date=January 3, 2025 |last=Sotomayor |first=Marianna |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=January 6, 2025}} 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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/us/politics/speaker-johnson-house-vote.html |title=Johnson Re-elected as Speaker After Putting Down G.O.P. Revolt |date=January 3, 2025 |last=Edmondson |first=Catie |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 6, 2025}}

=Supreme Court=

The Supreme Court is set to hear several cases, including TikTok v. Garland.{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/tiktok-ban-supreme-court-arguments-65506b1f |title=The TikTok Ban Heads to the Supreme Court Tomorrow. Here's What to Know. |date=January 9, 2025 |last1=Gershman |first1=Jacob |last2=Needleman |first2=Sarah |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=January 9, 2025}}

Events

=January=

January 3:
The 119th United States Congress begins. John Thune becomes the Senate Majority Leader,{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/us/politics/john-thune-senate-leadership.html |title=John Thune Takes Charge in the Senate, Ushering In a New Leadership Era |date=January 3, 2025 |last=Hulse |first=Carl |author-link=Carl Hulse |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 9, 2025}} while Mike Johnson is re-elected as speaker of the House.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/us/politics/speaker-johnson-house-vote.html |title=Johnson Re-elected as Speaker After Putting Down G.O.P. Revolt |date=January 3, 2025 |last=Edmondson |first=Catie |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 9, 2025}}
Judge Juan Merchan upholds President-elect Donald Trump's felony conviction, but signals that he will sentence him to an unconditional discharge.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/01/03/trump-new-york-hush-money-conviction-sentence/ |title=Judge upholds Trump's felony conviction, but does not plan to order jail time |date=January 3, 2025 |last1=Jacobs |first1=Shayna |last2=Nakamura |first2=David |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=January 9, 2025}}
President Joe Biden blocks the proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel.{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/biden-blocks-sale-of-u-s-steel-to-nippon-steel-1fc47a0a |title=Biden Blocks Sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel |date=January 3, 2025 |last1=Tita |first1=Bob |last2=Lucey |first2=Catherine |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=January 9, 2025}}
January 4 – Biden awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 18 individuals.{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/us-news/biden-awards-medal-of-freedom-to-hillary-clinton-george-soros-and-others-bfbd7652 |title=Biden Awards Medal of Freedom to Hillary Clinton, George Soros and Others |date=January 4, 2025 |last=Adams Otis |first=Ginger |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=January 9, 2025}}
January 6:
Electoral College vote count: Congress votes to certify Trump's victory.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/06/us/politics/congress-trump-election-certification.html |title=Four Years After Capitol Riot, Congress Certifies Trump's Victory Peacefully |date=January 6, 2025 |last=Karnie |first=Annie |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 9, 2025}}
Biden issues a ban on new oil and gas drilling along most coasts.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/06/biden-offshore-drilling-trump-florida-atlantic-pacific/987c7d4e-cc16-11ef-be73-ad8966084721_story.html |title=Biden issues ban on offshore oil and gas drilling in most federal waters. Trump vows to undo it |date=January 6, 2025 |last=Daly |first=Matthew |newspaper=The Washington Post |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=January 9, 2025}}
January 9 – The funeral of former President Jimmy Carter takes place.
January 10:
Vice President-elect JD Vance resigns from the United States Senate.{{Cite web |title=Vance resigns from Senate as he and Trump prepare to take office {{!}} Fox News |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vance-resigns-from-senate-he-trump-prepare-take-office.amp |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=www.foxnews.com}}
President-elect Donald Trump is sentenced to an "unconditional discharge" for 34 counts of falsifying business records in his New York hush money case.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-10 |title=Trump sentenced to penalty-free 'unconditional discharge' in hush money case |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-sentencing-judge-merchan-hush-money-what-expect-rcna186202 |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=NBC News |language=en}}
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.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-11 |title=Special counsel Jack Smith resigns |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/special-counsel-jack-smith-resigns-trump-rcna187280 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=www.nbcnews.com |language=en}}
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.

2025 in United States politics and government

National politics

=Presidency=

=Congress=

=Supreme Court=

Events

=January=

=February=

=March=

=April=

=May=

=June=

=July=

See also

References