Trump Sworn in as 47th US President: Key Takeaways from His Inauguration
Ceremony Moved Indoors Due to Frigid Weather, Trump Delivers Aggressive Speech
Donald Trump has officially taken the oath of office, becoming the 47th president of the United States and marking his return to the White House four years after his electoral defeat.
During Monday’s inauguration inside the US Capitol Rotunda, Trump, 78, struck a combative tone in his address, criticizing outgoing Democratic President Joe Biden and decrying what he called a "radical and corrupt establishment."
“My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal,” Trump declared. “From this moment on, America’s decline is over.”
Unlike his first term from 2017 to 2021, Trump appeared more resolute in asserting his authority, pledging to take immediate executive action upon assuming office.
“With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense,” he stated, highlighting plans for a pro-business energy policy and stringent measures on immigration.
He further vowed to “expand” US borders and suggested reclaiming control of the Panama Canal, raising eyebrows internationally.
Biden Issues Preemptive Pardons
Hours before Trump’s inauguration, Biden took a preemptive step by issuing pardons aimed at shielding key individuals from potential prosecution under the new administration.
Among the beneficiaries were Dr. Anthony Fauci, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, and members of the House Select Committee that investigated the January 6 Capitol riot.
The committee’s final report had referred Trump for criminal prosecution, alleging his involvement in inciting an insurrection. Trump had repeatedly threatened committee members with legal action.
In a statement, Biden defended his decision: “Our nation relies on dedicated, selfless public servants every day. They are the lifeblood of our democracy.”
Trump Condemns ‘Weaponization’ of Justice
As he took the podium, Trump wasted no time in lambasting the previous administration, vowing to end what he described as the “vicious, violent, and unfair weaponization” of the Justice Department.
Throughout his time out of office, Trump faced multiple criminal charges, including a conviction for falsifying business records. While he denied all allegations, he framed the prosecutions as politically motivated attacks.
Referencing an assassination attempt he survived while campaigning in July, Trump said, “Over the past eight years, I have been tested and challenged more than any president in our 250-year history.”
Declaring a Border Emergency
One of Trump’s first priorities in office was declaring an emergency at the US-Mexico border, announcing plans to deploy troops and reinstate strict immigration policies.
“All illegal entry will immediately be halted,” he said, pledging to return “millions and millions of criminal aliens” to their home countries.
Trump also promised to reimplement the “Remain in Mexico” policy, despite past legal challenges that questioned its alignment with asylum rights and international law.
A Return to Expansionist Rhetoric
Trump’s address also hinted at an expansionist vision for the US, invoking the term “manifest destiny” and reaffirming his desire to reclaim territories.
“We gave [the Panama Canal] to Panama. And we’re taking it back,” he asserted, reiterating past remarks about Canada potentially becoming the US’s “51st state.”
He also called for renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” and reverting Alaska’s Denali mountain to its colonial-era name, Mount McKinley.
A ‘Color-Blind and Merit-Based’ Society
Trump took aim at diversity and inclusion initiatives, pledging to dismantle government policies that promote racial and gender representation in institutions.
“I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. We will forge a society that is color-blind and merit-based,” he stated.
In addition, Trump reaffirmed his stance against transgender rights, declaring, “As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male and female.”
Calls for Unity Amid Divisive Rhetoric
Despite his combative approach, Trump positioned himself as a unifier, expressing optimism for the country’s future.
“My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier. That’s what I want to be,” he said, claiming that his leadership would bring stability to the world stage.
However, the tone of his speech was widely viewed as confrontational. Al Jazeera correspondent Alan Fisher characterized it as “very dark,” comparing it to a campaign rally rather than a traditional inaugural address.
Throughout the event, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris maintained a solemn demeanor, only standing to applaud when the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza was mentioned.