Donald Trump sworn in as 47th president of the United States
Donald Trump made his return to the White House after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.
The Republican, 78, won the seat after securing more than 270 Electoral College votes against outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump was inaugurated alongside new US Vice President JD Vance in an indoor ceremony amid frigid weather.
"The golden age of America begins now," Trump said in his inauguration address.
"From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer,” he added.
The Republican also brought up the assassination attempt made on his life during a campaign rally in July 2024, saying how he was "saved by God to make America great again."
His speech, which took hits at his predecessor Joe Biden, echoed many of the themes he voiced at his 2017 inauguration as he spoke of the "American carnage" of crime and job loss that plagued the country.
Day 1 actions
Trump is set to sign at least a dozen executive orders after he's sworn in. He said these would begin "the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense."
Among these EOs include declaring a national emergency at the Mexico border.
"All illegal entry will immediately be halted and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from where they came."
The new administration will also put an end to birthright citizenship, which grants anyone born in the US the right to an American passport.
Officials told reporters that the president will send armed troops to the southern border and resume a policy forcing those seeking asylum to "Remain in Mexico."
In terms of environmental issues, Trump is set to reverse Biden's environmental protections. The 47th commander-in-chief declared a national energy emergency to bring down prices.
"We will drill, baby, drill," he stated, adding that America "will have the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on earth."
Trump, who previously said he doubted a report made by his government on the harmful effects of climate change, is set to end the Green New Deal—policies addressing the climate crisis—and revoke Biden's electric vehicle mandate.
A Trump official speaking earlier in the day said that the president and his allies would use the authority to rapidly approve new oil, gas, and electricity projects that typically take years to permit.
In addition, the businessman-turned-politician iterated that the US would only recognize two genders—male and female—in government documents. Biden and Harris, who are sitting behind the new president, are seen not clapping as members of the audience burst into cheers over the statement.
He also vowed to be a "peacemaker" president while building "the strongest military the world has ever seen."
Further in his speech, Trump promised to take steps to "launch American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars." Musk, whose SpaceX aims to create a city on the red planet, responded to this applause and a thumbs up.
This is Trump's second time serving as the US' chief of state after he held the post from 2017 to 2021. His first administration was marred by impeachment trials, slow COVID-19 action, and the controversial crackdown on illegal immigrants.
He is the first felon to occupy the White House. In May 2023, a jury in New York found him guilty of falsifying documents to cover up hush money payments to a porn star.
Ahead of the inauguration, Trump and political rival Biden met for a traditional tea at the White House. They traveled by motorcade together to the US Capitol.
Living former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Biden were in attendance as well as foreign leaders and tech billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg. (with reports from Reuters)
