- Donald Trump, 78, took the oath of office as the 47th U.S. president, marking his return to the White House after losing in 2020.
- In his inaugural speech, Trump criticized former President Joe Biden and accused the government of “weaponizing” justice against him.
- He pledged immediate executive actions, including stricter border controls, a pro-business energy policy, and reclaiming the Panama Canal.
- Trump declared the U.S. would pursue “manifest destiny,” expand its territory, and reestablish colonial-era names.
- Biden issued preemptive pardons for Trump critics, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and General Mark Milley, before leaving office.
Donald Trump’s inauguration speech marked a dramatic return to the presidency, with promises to reverse policies from the Biden administration. Speaking in the Capitol Rotunda, he accused his predecessor of corruption and vowed to restore American greatness.
“From this moment on, America’s decline is over,” Trump declared.
Trump presented his administration as one that would “restore common sense,” emphasizing pro-business energy policies and strict measures against irregular migration.
“With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense,” he stated.
He announced an emergency declaration at the U.S.-Mexico border, proposing to halt illegal entries and deport millions of individuals.
Trump revived expansionist rhetoric, citing “manifest destiny” as a central theme. He vowed to reclaim the Panama Canal, rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” and revert Denali in Alaska to “Mount McKinley.”
“We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back,” Trump asserted.
Trump’s vision included ambitions for space exploration, promising to send astronauts to Mars to plant the American flag.
Before leaving office, Joe Biden issued pardons for individuals Trump had targeted, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and General Mark Milley. The pardons extended to members of the January 6 House Select Committee, which investigated Trump’s alleged role in the 2021 Capitol riots.
Biden justified the pardons as protecting public servants from retaliation under Trump’s presidency, emphasizing they did not imply guilt.
Trump pledged to dismantle “woke” initiatives, calling for a society based on merit and rejecting government-led diversity programs. He also declared the government would officially recognize only two genders: male and female.
“It will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male and female,” he stated.
Despite divisive rhetoric, Trump positioned himself as a unifier.
“My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier,” he said, promising to foster global compassion and end wars.
Observers, however, criticized the speech’s confrontational tone.
“This was Donald Trump effectively settling scores,” remarked Al Jazeera correspondent Alan Fisher.
The speech, laden with bold promises and controversial proposals, has set the stage for a highly scrutinized second term.
