Donald Trump on Monday was sworn in for another four-year term as the 47th United States President, pledging to lead the U.S into an era that is “greater, stronger, and far more exceptional than ever before.”
“The golden age of America begins right now,” he declared during a 30-minute inaugural address. “From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world.”
Expressing confidence and optimism, Mr. Trump proclaimed that the nation is “at the start of a thrilling new era of national success,” adding, “From this moment on, America’s decline is over.”
However, he painted a grim picture of the challenges ahead, claiming the government is plagued by “a crisis of trust” and that a “radical and corrupt establishment” has left the country in a state of “disrepair.”
He criticized the federal government’s inability to deliver essential services and described the situation at the southern border as chaotic.
One of his first planned actions, he announced, would be to declare a national emergency at the border, stating, “All illegal entry will immediately be halted.”
Mr. Trump also pledged to begin deporting millions of undocumented immigrants with criminal records, deploy troops to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, and classify drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
Citing both political and spiritual justification for his return to office, Mr. Trump reflected on an assassination attempt he survived before the election.
“I felt then and believe even more so now that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again,” he said.
Acknowledging his legal troubles since leaving office, Mr. Trump emphasized his commitment to justice, “Never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized to persecute political opponents — something I know something about. We will not allow that to happen. It will not happen again under my leadership. We will restore fair, equal, and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law.”
As President Joe Biden prepared to leave office, he issued a wave of pardons, including for individuals linked to the Capitol riot investigation and his own family members, in what some saw as a preemptive move against potential retaliation by Mr. Trump.
The tone of this inauguration marked a departure from Mr. Trump’s first inaugural address eight years ago, where he spoke of “American carnage.”
This time, his focus was on renewal and resurgence.
The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice John Roberts in an indoor ceremony held in the Capitol, the same location where a mob of Mr. Trump’s supporters stormed Congress four years ago to obstruct the certification of Joe Biden’s victory.
Dressed in a navy suit with a purple tie, Mr. Trump was joined by his wife, Melania, who wore a long navy coat and matching hat, and his five children: Don Jr., Eric, Ivanka, Tiffany, and Barron.
While several of Mr. Trump’s predecessors attended the event, former First Lady Michelle Obama was notably absent, her office having announced beforehand that she would not be present. In a departure from the acrimony of 2021, Mr. Trump and Melania had tea earlier in the day with the outgoing president and first lady, following a tradition the Trumps had skipped when Biden took office.
