J.D. Vance (quoted)

To understand this moment of transition and what it means for our country, I called up Peter Baker. We spoke at the end of last week. He's chief White House correspondent for The New York Times and someone who's chronicled the Oval Office for decades. I started by asking Peter how he's reflecting on Biden's legacy and the state of the country that Trump will inherit.

You mentioned that one of Biden's promises was a sort of return to normalcy. Normalcy is a tricky word to bring up in political conversations now, right?

You mentioned that one of Biden's promises was a sort of return to normalcy. Normalcy is a tricky word to bring up in political conversations now, right?

You mentioned that one of Biden's promises was a sort of return to normalcy. Normalcy is a tricky word to bring up in political conversations now, right?

I mean, the reaction to the first Trump presidency, at least in some circles, was to treat him as someone who is not operating under the normal terms, someone with extreme views, someone who said things a lot of politicians weren't or wouldn't at the time. The reaction this time around seems to be that he represents a lot of Americans.

I mean, the reaction to the first Trump presidency, at least in some circles, was to treat him as someone who is not operating under the normal terms, someone with extreme views, someone who said things a lot of politicians weren't or wouldn't at the time. The reaction this time around seems to be that he represents a lot of Americans.

I mean, the reaction to the first Trump presidency, at least in some circles, was to treat him as someone who is not operating under the normal terms, someone with extreme views, someone who said things a lot of politicians weren't or wouldn't at the time. The reaction this time around seems to be that he represents a lot of Americans.

And last time you and I spoke, Peter, we were talking about this as a big moment of realignment for American politics. How are you thinking about that now?

And last time you and I spoke, Peter, we were talking about this as a big moment of realignment for American politics. How are you thinking about that now?

And last time you and I spoke, Peter, we were talking about this as a big moment of realignment for American politics. How are you thinking about that now?

We are inaugurating our first president who is also a convicted felon. And we should say just days before inauguration, this special counsel report about Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results was made public. Jack Smith says he thinks prosecutors had enough evidence to convict. Does any of this matter?

We are inaugurating our first president who is also a convicted felon. And we should say just days before inauguration, this special counsel report about Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results was made public. Jack Smith says he thinks prosecutors had enough evidence to convict. Does any of this matter?

We are inaugurating our first president who is also a convicted felon. And we should say just days before inauguration, this special counsel report about Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results was made public. Jack Smith says he thinks prosecutors had enough evidence to convict. Does any of this matter?

As we head into this second Trump presidency now, what are you expecting to see in the first 100 days?

As we head into this second Trump presidency now, what are you expecting to see in the first 100 days?

As we head into this second Trump presidency now, what are you expecting to see in the first 100 days?

For ongoing inauguration coverage, check out the Apple News app. Now to Gaza, where the initial terms of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas are now in effect. Yesterday, Hamas released three hostages in exchange for Israel releasing 90 Palestinians who were held in Israeli prisons. Let's start with the hostages.

For ongoing inauguration coverage, check out the Apple News app. Now to Gaza, where the initial terms of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas are now in effect. Yesterday, Hamas released three hostages in exchange for Israel releasing 90 Palestinians who were held in Israeli prisons. Let's start with the hostages.

For ongoing inauguration coverage, check out the Apple News app. Now to Gaza, where the initial terms of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas are now in effect. Yesterday, Hamas released three hostages in exchange for Israel releasing 90 Palestinians who were held in Israeli prisons. Let's start with the hostages.

Three women, Romy Gonen, Doran Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari, were released yesterday after being held captive by Hamas for 471 days. Hamas! Hamas! Hamas! Video shows the chaotic moment when Hamas militants, who were standing on top of Red Cross vehicles surrounded by crowds, handed the three women over to Israeli forces. The women were reunited with their families Sunday evening.