Donald Trump promised a ‘new golden age of America’ after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday.
‘The decline is over,’ he told about 600 allies, dignitaries and family members inside the U.S. Capitol building.
During his inaugural address, he skillfully combined messages of hope for a bright future with his consistent claims of being unfairly targeted by a manipulated justice system. He also made a commitment to restore fairness in the legal system by promising to ‘rebalance the scales of justice’.
‘As we gather today, our government confronts a crisis of trust,’ he said.
He pointed out that for a significant period, a corrupt and extremist elite has been exploiting the power and resources of the American people. This exploitation has resulted in the weakening and apparent collapse of the fundamental structures of our society.
Despite the freezing Arctic temperatures outside in Washington, D.C., Trump delivered his inauguration speech inside the Capitol building, surrounded by the traditional political figures of Washington, influential figures from the tech industry, and supporters of the Make America Great Again movement.
It offered a visual illustration of how the one-time political outsider has conquered Washington in an extraordinary political comeback, becoming only the second president in history to win non-consecutive terms.
Where in 20017, his ‘American carnage’ speech conjured a bleak image of a nation in an abyss of rampant crime, abandoned factories, and a failed education system, this time he said he was ‘confident and optimistic’ that a ‘tide of change is sweeping the country.’
Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States
President-elect Donald Trump talks to his vice presidential pick J.D. Vance in the Capitol Rotunda before they are both sworn into office on Monday
Melania Trump cut a stylish figure in a hat by American fashion designer Eric Javits
But he also hit some of his favorite targets, railing against illegal immigrants arriving from foreign prisons and ‘mental institutions,’ for example.
And he reflected on how he had survived an assassination attempt and criminal prosecutions to return to power in one of the greatest political comebacks in history.
‘Those who wish to stop our cause have tried to take my freedom and indeed, to take my life just a few months ago, in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear, but I felt then and believe, even more so now that my life was saved for a reason,’ he said.
‘I was saved by God to make America great again.’
And his speech reflected his convincing victory, winning the popular vote and all seven of the pivotal battleground states, as he set out his plan for action with dozens and dozens of executive actions.
‘With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense,’ he said.
The loudest applause came when he promised that official government policy would recognize only two genders. He also said he would be declaring a national energy emergency and a national emergency at the southern border.
‘My message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigor, and the vitality of history’s greatest civilization,’ he said.
He returns to power a different man to the one sworn in after his shock win eight years ago and he takes office in a Washington that bears little resemblance to the city he arrived in then.
About 600 guests packed into the Capitol’s Rotunda in a last-minute switch because of the bitter winter weather gripping Washington, D.C.
The Bidens greet the Trumps at the White House on Monday morning
CEO of Google Sundar Pichai (L) and Tesla, SpaceX and X CEO Elon Musk speak ahead of the inauguration
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stands next to Miriam Adelson and former President Bill Clinton ahead of the inauguration
Then the city saw running battles between protesters and police, and hundreds of thousands of pink-hatted demonstrators thronged the streets days before the inauguration.
This time, protesters went through the motions with an air of resignation.
Trump confidant David Urban said ‘woke America’ had surrendered.
‘Last time everyone looked at us askance, as if to say “ugh, can’t believe you guys think you won,’ he said. ‘Now everyone’s clamoring to be a part of it.’
High-profile critics such as Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos have been tamed. They are among the tech titans who donated $1 million to the inauguration and are seated with the VVIPS in the Rotunda.
Even the setting shows how times have changed.
Four years ago, Trump supporters ransacked the U.S. Capitol building. This time MAGA world took their seats inside the seat of American democracy for the inauguration ceremony.
And eight years ago, Trump was unprepared for government. He had to cobble together an administration from the Republican establishment and Wall Street.
First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff arrive for the ceremony
Trump with his running mate J.D. Vance at St. John’s Church ahead of their inauguration
Trump arrives in a very different Washington, D.C. from the one where he was sworn in eight years ago. He has won over tech titans and protests have been muted. Here a helicopter waits to fly Joe Biden out of Washington after the inauguration ceremony
Merchandise on sale outside the Capitol One Arena ahead of a rally Monday afternoon
This time, he has built a team from trusted loyalists who stuck with him through four years out of power.
The result is a plan to hit the ground running. Aides briefed journalists ahead of the ceremony on a raft of executive orders, including 10 on border security and immigration.
An adviser told DailyMail.com that he will also sign an executive order halting all new foreign aid unless it aligns with U.S. strategic interests.
‘The United States and American citizens have been some of the most generous people in the entire world,’ an incoming White House policy adviser told DailyMail.com.
‘But at this point, we have to understand that foreign policy is domestic policy, and if this is not aligned with our interests, then Uncle Sam should not be opening up his pocketbook any longer.’
Other executive orders take aim at diversity, equity and inclusion programs, proclaiming that the U.S. federal government will only recognize two sexes, male and female.
