Donald Trump on Monday took the oath as the 47th President of the United States in an inauguration ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC. JD Vance, who was sworn in as Vice President before Trump, stood by his side during the event.
In his oath, Trump affirmed, “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Following the ceremony, Trump remarked, “My life was saved for a reason, I was saved by God to make America great again.”
Trump, at 78 years old, became the oldest individual to assume the U.S. presidency. His inauguration marks the first time a convicted felon has reached the presidency.
‘Golden age of America begins now,’ says Trump in first speech as 47th US President
In his inaugural address, Trump declared, “The golden age of America begins right now,” emphasizing that he would prioritize America’s interests above all. He vowed to restore the country to its former glory and make it the envy of the world. “From today onwards, the U.S. will flourish and will be envied by every nation,” he stated.
Trump expressed confidence that his second term would usher in a new era of national success. “We will flourish and be respected again all over the world,” he said. “We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer.” He reassured the nation that change would happen “very quickly,” as he believed the country’s decline was over.
Trump also criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, who was seated nearby. He accused the Biden administration of mishandling crises domestically and internationally, saying the government “cannot manage a simple crisis at home” while causing “catastrophic events abroad.”
He also addressed issues surrounding immigration, a topic central to his campaign. He claimed the government had failed to protect “our magnificent law-abiding citizens” while offering sanctuary to criminals. “The scales of justice will be rebalanced,” Trump added, vowing to end the “weaponization” of the Justice Department.
Trump referred to January 20, 2025, as “liberation day,” calling the recent presidential election “the greatest and most consequential election in the history of our country.” Reflecting on the assassination attempt he survived, Trump stated his “life was saved” by God for the purpose of making America great again.
Trump’s first actions included declaring a “national energy emergency” to lower prices, a key promise from his campaign. He reiterated his “drill, baby, drill” stance and directed his Cabinet to use all available powers to reduce costs.
Trump further said that he will be signing a list of historic executive orders today. “With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense. It’s all about common sense.”
He further outlined his intent to declare a national emergency at the US southern border.
One of his major decisions was to revoke the electric vehicle mandate, ensuring that Americans could buy the cars of their choice. He promised to revitalize the U.S. auto industry, saying, “We will build automobiles in America again at a rate that nobody could have dreamt possible just a few years ago.”
Trump also vowed to overhaul the trade system to protect American workers and families. “We will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens,” he stated. He further announced the creation of the External Revenue Service to collect tariffs and duties.
He also declared that the U.S. would reclaim its position as the world’s most powerful and respected nation. “We are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America,” Trump proclaimed, symbolizing a new era of American sovereignty and independence.
Concluding his address, he reiterated his statement from the beginning of the speech, saying that “our golden age has just begun.”
He portrayed his presidency as the beginning of a transformative era for the United States, one that would restore the nation’s global standing and prosperity.
Earlier in the day, Trump was sworn in on two bibles: one used by Abraham Lincoln during his 1861 inauguration and another gifted by his mother in 1955. This symbolic act marked the continuity of tradition amidst a new political chapter.
Before Trump took office, JD Vance took the oath as Vice President, with his wife Usha and children by his side, marking the start of a new political era in the U.S. (With inputs from agencies)