Storms delay start of Obama’s post-presidential vacation

Former President Barack Obama’s plane flies over Palm Springs International Airport and is diverted to March Air Reserve Base after bad weather prevented him and his family from landing at Palm Springs International Airport in Palm Springs, Calif., Friday, Jan. 19, 2017. Obama left Washington after attending President Donald Trump’s morning inauguration.

Sentencing reset for Alaska strip club owner in dumping case

A sentencing hearing has been canceled for the second day in a row in the case of an Alaska man who was convicted of illegally dumping human waste into a harbor while operating a floating strip club This 2014 photo shows the Wild Alaskan, a converted crabbing boat that had been used as a strip club, moored near downtown Kodiak, Alaska. A sentencing hearing has been rescheduled for Darren Byler, who was found guilty of illegally dumping human waste into a harbor from the boat.

Today in History

On Jan. 21, 1942, pinball machines were banned in New York City by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia after a court ruled they were gambling devices that relied on chance rather than skill . In 1861, Jefferson Davis of Mississippi and four other Southerners whose states had seceded from the Union resigned from the U.S. Senate.

Interior Department banned from Twitter after retweet of Trump inauguration crowd

The Interior Department was ordered Friday to shut down its official Twitter accounts — indefinitely — after a National Park Service employee shared two tweets that noted President Donald Trump’s relatively small inaugural crowds compared to the numbers former president Barack Obama drew in 2009. “All bureaus and the department have been directed by incoming administration to shut down Twitter platforms immediately until further notice,” said an email circulated to Park Service employees Friday afternoon.

Yes! Trump decorates Oval office with Gold drapes

Washington D.C. [USA], Jan. 21 : Known for enjoying gold accents and features in interior decorating, President Donald Trump has redecorated his new office with heavy gold drapes. Soon after Donald Trump sworn in as the 45th President of the United States and signed his first executive order in the Oval Office on Friday evening, it was immediately noticeable that the room had a makeover of Trump-style.

Trump begins to set up his administration

President Donald Trump quickly assumed the mantle of the White House and began setting up his new administration on Friday, signing a bill that allows retired Gen. James Mattis to serve as his defense secretary, as well as the nomination papers for his other Cabinet choices.

Donald J. Trump takes office

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States Friday, taking command of a riven nation facing an unpredictable era under his assertive but untested leadership. Under cloudy, threatening skies at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, Trump painted a bleak picture of the America he now leads, declaring as he had throughout the election campaign that it is beset by crime, poverty and a lack of bold action.

What Is – Free Trade But Fair Trade’?

President-elect Donald Trump’s threats against American companies looking to relocate in foreign countries have won favorable review from many quarters. Support comes from those alarmed about trade deficits, those who want a “level playing field” and those who call for “free trade but fair trade,” whatever that means.

NYT: He Is She, Communist Is Capitalist

White House Spokesman Josh Earnest and Secretary of State John Kerry finished President Barack Obama’s final term with fitting acts of propaganda. Had you listened uncritically to Earnest, you would have thought a male soldier imprisoned for leaking classified documents was a “young woman.”

Trump brings Churchill bust back to Oval Office

President Donald Trump restored the bust of Winston Churchill to the Oval Office immediately after assuming the presidency on Friday, the most notable move in an aesthetic redecoration of the space. Trump signed his first executive orders at the Resolute Desk before new gold curtains with a blue trim, a new sunburst-patterned carpet and new brocade couches.

On exit, Obama says presidency proved hope wins out

Former President Barack Obama exited the presidency on Friday with a message of gratitude to Americans and a plea to his supporters not to be bowed by the inauguration of President Donald Trump. In a farewell speech at Andrews Air Force Base before boarding the presidential plane for the last time, Obama said he’d been met by skepticism and doubt throughout his eight years in office by some who Obama said his supporters had transcended the obstacles posed by entrenched political powers by finding bonds of unity with Americans of all stripes.

Is Barack Obama More Self-Referential than Donald Trump?

While Obama referred to himself more often in his farewell speech than Donald Trump did in his inaugural address, these speeches are not comparable. Former president Barack Obama referred to himself 75 times during his farewell speech, compared to just 3 self-references by President Donald Trump in his inaugural address.