The 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump, took office on Monday with the promise of a “common sense revolution”. As the Republicans take full control of Washington, Trump aims to transform the country’s institutions.
A Surprising Return
After overcoming impeachment trials, criminal charges, and several assassination attempts, Trump has returned to the White House for a second term. Upon taking office, he made it clear that his priority will be to “reverse all the betrayals” he believes have harmed the United States and return the people their “faith, wealth, democracy, and freedom”.
“My recent election is a mandate to correct the course,” Trump said. “Just a few months ago, a bullet went through my ear, but I felt at that moment, and I believe even more now, that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again,” he declared.
First Steps as President
Trump plans to declare the beginning of “a new era of national success” and has prepared a series of executive orders. These first actions include measures to combat illegal border crossings, increase fossil fuel development, and end diversity and inclusion programs across the federal government.
One of his first decisions will be to declare a “national emergency” at the southern border and label Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations. These actions are considered part of what he calls “the complete restoration of the United States”.
A Historic Day at the Capitol
The cold weather changed the usual setup for the ceremony. For the first time in 40 years, the president’s inauguration was moved indoors to the Capitol, and the inaugural parade was replaced with an event in a nearby stadium. Despite the change, many of Trump’s supporters who traveled to the city were still able to witness the event from various locations.
At the Capitol, Vice President J.D. Vance was the first to take the oath, followed by Trump, who used two Bibles: one family Bible and another that belonged to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.
Special Moments of the Inauguration
Trump began his day with a prayer service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, and later, he and his wife, Melania, were greeted by the outgoing president Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The reception was a stark contrast to Trump’s attitude four years ago when he refused to attend Biden’s inauguration after losing the election.
On the way to the Capitol, Trump and Biden shared a limousine, a symbolic moment of the transition of power, despite the tensions they have faced in the past.
A Unique Political Comeback
Trump’s swearing-in marked a historic political comeback. Four years ago, Trump lost the election amid an economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, yet he did not accept his defeat. He tried to retain power and even urged his supporters to march to the Capitol on January 6, 2021, resulting in a violent assault on Congress.
However, Trump never lost control of the Republican Party, which allowed him to win a second term. Despite the criminal charges he faces and being the first person convicted of a felony to assume the presidency, Trump has made it clear that he is committed to “preserving, protecting, and defending” the Constitution of the United States.
One of the first actions he plans to take is to pardon the participants of the January 6th riot, who were prosecuted for their involvement in the unrest.
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