Trump’s First Day in Office: Behind-the-Scenes Photos

President Trump’s return to the White House on Monday was a historic political comeback.

Before frigid temperatures in Washington forced officials and revelers inside, nearly 150 news photographers were lined up to document what would have been an outdoor ceremony at the Capitol. Eight news photographers were allowed in the Rotunda, but the New York Times photographer Doug Mills was the only one who captured Mr. Trump’s entire day on camera.

Here is a look at the first day of Mr. Trump’s second term, in nine images:

7:45 A.M.

The day began at church.

Mr. Trump, Vice President JD Vance and their families started the day with a traditional service at St. John’s Church. The building, across from Lafayette Square in downtown Washington, is near the White House and known as the Church of the Presidents because every leader since James Madison has attended worship there.

After the church service, the Trumps headed to the White House, where they were greeted by the departing president, Joseph R. Biden Jr., and the first lady, Jill Biden.

“Welcome home,” Mr. Biden told them as they arrived, observing the rituals of the day for his predecessor, who refused to concede the 2020 election or attend his inauguration four years ago. By contrast, Mr. Biden hosted Mr. Trump for coffee before the inauguration ceremony.

11:40 A.M.

Trump headed to the Capitol to be sworn in.

Mr. Trump was sworn in as the 47th president in a ceremony that took place inside the Capitol Rotunda. In a 29-minute speech afterward, he described in bleak terms a country in disarray, with a society “broken and seemingly in complete disrepair,” and vowed to save it from decline.

1.07 P.M.

The Bidens bid farewell.

After the ceremony, the Trumps escorted the Bidens to a Marine helicopter waiting to take them to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, then on to Delaware. Mr. Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, saw off former Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, as they headed home to California.

1:17 P.M.

Trump returned to the Capitol, where he signed official cabinet nominations.

Congressional leaders from both parties joined Mr. Trump as he took part in a formal signing ceremony, while Mr. Vance looked on. The president, who has signaled that he intends to move quickly to install his cabinet, will have to work with lawmakers to ensure Senate confirmation of his nominees.

2:32 P.M.

Policymakers and billionaires came together for the inaugural luncheon.

The event is typically a staid affair, but Mr. Trump’s luncheon had a very different atmosphere. Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos and Sundar Pichai were among the Silicon Valley executives in attendance, mingling with lawmakers, Supreme Court justices and top Trump aides in an extraordinary display of wealth and power.

Mr. Trump celebrated with supporters at a rally at the Capital One Arena, which replaced the traditional parade down Pennsylvania Avenue. He also signed a barrage of executive orders from a desk placed onstage. The crowd, watching from the arena’s video screens, cheered as members of Mr. Trump’s cabinet and high-profile guests like Elon Musk made appearances.

Before departing for the White House, Mr. Trump threw the pens he used to sign the orders into the crowd.

8:21 P.M.

From the Oval Office, Mr. Trump signed more executive orders — and granted broad clemency for Jan. 6 rioters.

Among Mr. Trump’s official acts were issuing pardons and commutations to nearly 1,600 people who faced persecution for the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of his supporters stormed the building in a bid to stop the certification of the 2020 election results.

Separately, the president also ordered the Justice Department to dismiss pending criminal indictments against Jan. 6 defendants and ordered the Bureau of Prisons to “immediately implement” his clemency grants so that rioters could be released.

10:29 P.M.

A night of festivities kicks off with the Commander in Chief Ball.

The Trumps’ first ball of the evening was one for military service members. They had their first dance as the presidential couple to “My Way” by Frank Sinatra.