Washington DC: On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, marking his second, non-consecutive term as President. He becomes the second president in US history to return to power after being voted out, after Grover Cleveland in 1893. He also made became the oldest president to be sworn in at the age of 78.
Chief Justice John Roberts administered the presidential oath to Trump, while Vice President JD Vance was sworn in by Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Trump’s inaugural address was noted for its combative tone, echoing campaign rhetoric, and for its focus on nationalistic themes.
He indicated intentions to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement and to prioritize the oil and gas industry, actions that have been criticized as detrimental to global environmental efforts. He criticized the previous administration, describing it as incompetent and corrupt. He asserted that the government had failed to manage domestic crises and had neglected American citizens in favour of undocumented immigrants. Emphasizing themes of national renewal and self-reliance, he declared the commencement of “the golden age of America,” pledging to end the nation’s decline and restore its sovereignty, safety, and justice.
Shortly after taking office, President Trump declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border, focusing on curbing illegal immigration while designating Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. He also announced the discontinuation of the CBP One app, which had allowed nearly one million entries into the US.
Additionally, Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at implementing tariffs on imported goods, starting large-scale deportations, and issuing pardons for nonviolent individuals connected to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Policy Announcements
The President in his speech outlined several policy initiatives:
Immigration: He pledged to deport “millions and millions” of migrants, aiming to prioritize American citizens.
Energy: Trump announced plans to increase domestic oil production and remove subsidies for electric vehicles, signaling a shift towards traditional energy sources.
Trade: He proposed imposing tariffs on foreign goods to protect American industries and reduce inflation.
Trump’s inauguration ceremony took place indoors in the Capitol Rotunda to shield attendees from the severe cold, a notable shift from the customary outdoor events.
Since the swearing-in ceremony of President Thomas Jefferson, inaugurations have taken place at the Capitol. Jefferson was the first to take the oath inside the building. In 1829, Andrew Jackson changed this tradition by holding his inauguration on the east portico outside, a practice that many presidents followed after him. However, in 1981, President Ronald Reagan decided to move the ceremony to the west portico. He made this change to accommodate the increasing number of people who wanted to witness the event. Since then, the swearing-in ceremony has taken place there.
Given previous threats against Trump, approximately 25,000 law enforcement officers and military personnel were deployed to ensure security at the event.
The inauguration included musical performances from Carrie Underwood, Christopher Macchio, and Lee Greenwood.
Former President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were present, underscoring a peaceful transition of power. Their predecessors Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton were present during the swearing-in ceremony.
India’s Minister for External Affairs Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar was seated in the first row.
Besides tech leaders like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, Indian business tycoon Mukesh Ambani too was among the invited guests. Extending his congratulations to Trump, Indian Prime Minister Modi expressed a “strong desire” to collaborate closely with him, aiming to enhance the relationship between India and the United States. He stated in New Delhi that he looked forward to working together to create a positive future for the world and wished Trump a successful term in office.
– global bihari bureau
