Donald Trump was sworn in for a historic second term as President of the United States on Monday, vowing immediate executive actions on issues such as immigration and culture wars.
His inauguration marked the culmination of an extraordinary political comeback.
Standing beneath the iconic Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Trump solemnly took the oath of office with his hand raised and the Bible gifted by his mother in his other hand.
Trump’s swearing-in ceremony took place indoors due to bitterly cold weather, resulting in a significantly smaller crowd compared to previous inaugurations.
Alongside him, outgoing President Joe Biden made the trip to the Capitol in a motorcade, a rare moment of civility between the two political figures, before taking part in a traditional tea at the White House with their spouses.
A Shift in Political Surroundings
While Trump was once an outsider during his first term in 2017, this time, the ceremony was attended by some of the world’s wealthiest and most influential figures.
Among the prominent guests were Elon Musk, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who all had prime seating at the Capitol.
Musk, a major financier of Trump’s re-election campaign, is expected to spearhead cost-cutting initiatives in the new administration, which is poised to focus on right-wing policies.
In contrast to his 2021 boycott of Biden’s inauguration, Trump’s return to office has seen Biden play a role in restoring tradition, joining former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, although former first lady Michelle Obama notably stayed away.
Global Influence and Controversial Guests
In an unusual move, foreign leaders were also present at Trump’s inauguration. Argentina’s far-right president, Javier Milei, and Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, attended, signaling the growing influence of right-wing leaders worldwide.
Trump’s inauguration was held indoors for the first time since Ronald Reagan’s 1985 swearing-in, due to the freezing weather. As a result, the customary large crowds were missing, but the event was still rich in symbolism.
Immediate Policy Actions
Trump wasted no time in outlining his nationalist agenda. His administration plans to take swift action on multiple fronts, including declaring a national emergency at the southern border, assigning military forces to the border, and ending birthright citizenship.
Additionally, he aims to initiate deportations of undocumented immigrants immediately.
Trump has also signaled a shift in policy regarding gender recognition, planning to restrict the U.S. government’s recognition to only two biological sexes and eliminate diversity programs.
These hardline policies came just a day after Trump had promised to “restore America” and end what he referred to as a “decline” under the Biden administration.
A Divided America
While Trump’s “golden era” vision gained traction with his supporters, many others feared that his portrayal of America was overly pessimistic.
On the National Mall, largely empty except for the Fairchild family from Michigan, some hailed the change in venue as a way to protect the president.
Ahead of leaving office, Biden issued controversial pardons, including for family members and key figures involved in the January 6 Capitol attack investigation.
He also restored the tradition of leaving a letter for his successor, though he declined to share its contents.
A Historic Moment
At 78, Trump becomes the oldest person to ever take the U.S. presidency. His return to power marks only the second time in U.S. history that a president has reclaimed the office after being voted out, following Grover Cleveland in 1893.
Trump’s presidency, marked by controversy and unprecedented political developments, is expected to further shake global relations.
His stance on international issues, including tariffs and U.S. foreign aid, will likely continue to rattle the global order.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Trump ahead of his swearing-in, expressing openness to talks on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
