Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol at noon on Monday, beginning his second term as he returned to the White House after four years.
Due to projected cold weather in Washington, D.C., his inauguration ceremony was held indoors – the first time in four decades.
Trump took his oath of office, administered by Chief Justice John Roberts. The chief justice usually administers the presidential oath of office, a tradition that has been followed since the first inauguration.
In his inauguration speech, Trump declared that American decline had ended and "the golden age of America begins right now."
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in Emancipation Hall after the 60th presidential inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 20, 2025. /CFP
In his speech, Trump promised to sign "a series of historic executive orders," including declaring a national emergency at the southern border, enhancing oil and gas production, and revoking the electric vehicle mandate. He also vowed to immediately begin overhauling the trade system and to "tariff and tax foreign countries."
Trump pledged to bring down prices, save the auto industry, "restore fair, equal and impartial justice," and bring law and order back to U.S. cities.
Criticizing Democrats' diversity, equity and inclusion programs, the newly sworn-in president stated that this week he will end the government policy of "trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life" and "forge a society that is colorblind and merit-based."
He emphasized that it will be the "official policy" of the United States government that there are only two genders – male and female.
Trump also pledged to build the strongest military the world has ever seen. "We will measure our success not only by the battles we win but also by the wars we end and, perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into," Trump said, adding that he will be a peacemaker and unifier.
The president reiterated that he will change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and will take back the Panama Canal.
In addition, Trump said he will, for the second time, pull the United States out of the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change.
Moments before Trump's swearing-in, JD Vance was sworn in as vice president.
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