Joe Biden Wastes No Time Scrubbing the Cheeto Stains Out of Nation’s Collective Rug

Echoing that sentiment was German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who said he was “greatly relieved,” adding, “Despite all the joy we feel today, we must not forget that even the most powerful democracy in the world has been seduced by populism. We must work resolutely to counter polarization, protect and strengthen the public square in our democracies, and shape our policies on the basis of reason and facts.”

Donald Trump doesn’t want anyone to see his tax returns

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before:

Donald Trump’s lawyers made a preemptive move to stop congressional Democrats from obtaining his tax returns as President Joe Biden takes power, asking a judge for an Inauguration Day hearing in a case that could threaten the secrecy of his closely guarded financial information.

The Democrats in the last Congress ran out of time in their efforts to enforce a subpoena demanding that the Treasury Department turn over Trump’s tax information, but the new Congress could re-issue the subpoena in the coming days. At noon on Wednesday, Biden took control of the White House, making it possible that the Justice Department could reverse its position in the case and simply hand over the records.

Just a little something for Biden’s Attorney General to consider, among other things.

Elsewhere!

“Democracy has prevailed,” President Biden declares as he is inaugurated (Washington Post)

Democrats take control of 50-50 Senate, with Harris presiding for first time (Washington Post)

Biden’s COVID fight meets a big test: Red-state politics (Politico)

Pressure Builds on Biden Admin to Prosecute Trump for “Treason” (TDB)

Bernie Sanders and His Mittens Win the Inauguration Day Meme Game (NPR)

A Look Back at the 1,462 Worst Days in Presidential History (Hive)

“It’s Over”: Devastated QAnon Believers Grapple With President Joe Biden’s Inauguration (HuffPo)

Donald Trump Went Out as He Came in: Playing Songs by People Who Hate Him (Vulture)

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