Moving Day

Regardless of the incoming and outgoing officials, Inauguration Day in America is one of the most interesting and amazing events in the world. And I’m not just talking about the swearing in of a new president. It’s also moving out — and moving in — day at the White House (all in the course of a few hours). WaPo has an interesting look at what will be happening while most eyes are on the parades and the speeches: The 5 craziest hours in the White House. “The outgoing family’s moving trucks, escorted by the Secret Service and officers of the U.S.  Park Police, pull into the west side of the South Portico driveway. The incoming president’s moving trucks pull into the east side of the South Portico … All boxes are emptied, and clothes are placed in closets and drawers. Unlike pretty much everyone else who has ever relocated, the president will not have three unopened moving boxes sitting in the back of a closet. The First Family’s favorite products were purchased ahead of time and will be ready for them to use — everything from mattresses and linens to shower heads and shaving cream. The first family never runs out of toilet paper.” (And I thought the White House bowling alley was the biggest perk.)

+ Who’s going, who’s not, and what happens when? Here’s a guide to the day.

+ Mr. Trump has arrived in Washington.

+ As the world awaits his speech, the Internet tries to decipher the weird photo Trump posted of himself writing it.

+ While the US transfer of power seems more contentious than usual, it’s nothing compared to what’s happening in Gambia. The new president has been sworn in, but the old president is refusing to go.

+ NYT: Who started calling this thing an inauguration in the first place? Hint: He’s just like his country, he’s young, scrappy and hungry.