Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, scripting a stunning return to power after multiple felony convictions, two impeachments and a pair of assassination attempts.
The ceremony, moved indoors for the first time in 40 years due to freezing temperatures, also saw JD Vance sworn in as Vice President moments earlier. The inauguration was attended by tech billionaires, cabinet nominees and former presidents.
Hand on Abraham Lincoln’s Bible, Trump took the oath of office inside the packed Rotunda of the US Capitol, four years after a mob of his supporters stormed the same building to challenge his defeat by Joe Biden. Trump, 78, has become the first US President since the 19th century to win a second term after losing re-election.In his inaugural address, Trump heralded a "golden age" for America, promising that the country be "greater, stronger and far more exceptional than ever before" under his presidency. He also disparaged Biden and Kamala Harris, whom he soundly defeated in the 2024 election, as they and the rest of the world looked on.
"For many years, a radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens," Trump said.
He referred to the attempts on his life in the past year, saying he was "saved by God to make America great again," drawing a standing ovation from Republicans in the room.
"From this moment on, America's decline is over," the President said, declaring January 20, 2025 as 'Liberation Day'.
Executive orders will be the first step in what Trump called "the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense". He went on to describe what he views as the most pressing national problems and his solutions for them.
On his first day back in office, he plans to sign an executive order declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border, part of a sweeping set of controversial policy initiatives unveiled.
"All illegal entry will immediately be halted," Trump said, pledging to begin deporting millions of "criminal aliens" and designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organisations.
Trump also vowed to put an end to what he says has been government policy to bring race and gender into "every aspect of public and private life", declaring that "as of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders — male and female."
Amid applause, he announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” and made a bold statement about the Panama Canal: "We’re taking it back."
The President further vowed to declare a national energy emergency, doubling down on his promise to expand oil and gas drilling on US soil. "Drill, baby, drill," he said, drawing cheers.
Trump’s return to the White House signals the start of another turbulent four years, with promises to expand executive power, deport millions of immigrants, target political opponents, and redefine America’s global role.
Before taking office, Trump's aides previewed an aggressive agenda, including 10 executive actions focused on immigration. The new President plans to deploy armed troops at the southern border, end birthright citizenship, and reinstate the policy requiring asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while awaiting US court dates.Earlier in the day, Trump and wife Melania arrived at the White House, greeted by Biden and outgoing First Lady Jill Biden. "Welcome home," Biden said during a brief handshake.
Trump’s victory, buoyed by widespread voter frustration over inflation, included winning the national popular vote by more than 2 million over Democratic rival Kamala Harris, though he fell short of a 50 per cent majority. The President claimed "a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal," promising to "give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy and indeed their freedom."