Donald Trump has been inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States, marking his return to the White House for a second term.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at noon local time (17:00 GMT) under the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, due to freezing temperatures.
Trump, the first U.S. president with a criminal conviction, defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 2024 presidential election. At 78 years old, Trump’s political comeback follows his unsuccessful re-election bid four years ago.
In the final days of his presidency, Joe Biden issued a series of high-profile pardons, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, and members of the January 6 committee such as Liz Cheney, amid fears they could become targets under the new administration.
Trump Delivers Inaugural Address
In his first address as president, Trump declared, “The golden age of America begins right now.” Promising a resurgence of national pride and international respect, he reiterated his 2024 campaign pledge to “put America first.”
“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 said.
Swearing-in Ceremony
Trump took the oath of office administered by Chief Justice John Roberts, pledging to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Vice President J.D. Vance also took his oath, vowing to “support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
The ceremony included performances by opera singer Christopher Macchio and country artists Carrie Underwood and Lee Greenwood. Underwood performed “America the Beautiful,” stating she was honored to contribute to the historic event.
Protests and Demonstrations
Outside the Capitol, a small group of protesters gathered at Meridian Park. Holding signs with slogans such as “Defeat Trump’s billionaire agenda” and “Money for people’s needs, not the US war machine,” demonstrators expressed opposition to Trump’s policies.
Among them was 18-year-old Jose Morales, who voiced solidarity with Palestinians and criticism of corporate influence. “I came here because I stand with the Palestinian people. I also don’t think that billionaires should be able to control people,” he said.
Key Attendees and Traditions
The inauguration was attended by approximately 700 individuals, including U.S. lawmakers, former presidents, and international leaders. Notable attendees included Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, along with foreign dignitaries such as Argentine President Javier Milei and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
In a return to tradition, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted Trump and his wife Melania for tea at the White House prior to the ceremony.
