Republican Donald Trump has returned as the 47th US President for a second term on Monday, making it a historic one on several grounds. He took the oath of office at the US Capitol.
The inauguration completes a triumphant comeback for a political disruptor who survived two impeachment trials, a felony conviction, two assassination attempts, and an indictment for attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss.
The ceremony has been moved inside to the U.S. Capitol Rotunda due to inclement weather conditions, the first time since Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration 40 years ago. The weather forecast has predicted this to be the coldest inauguration in 40 years.
Trump 2.0
Trump’s second presidency will usher in another turbulent four-year term with promises to push the limits of executive power, deport millions of immigrants, secure retribution against his political enemies, and transform the role of the U.S. on the world stage, reported Reuters.
Even before Trump was to take office at noon ET (1700 GMT), aides detailed a raft of executive actions that he would sign immediately, including 10 focused on border security and immigration, his top priority.
Trump arrived at the White House and met his predecessor Joe Biden, who welcomed the President-elect to ‘home’ for tea.
According to reports, Biden followed the tradition of leaving his successor a note. While Biden confirmed that he wrote Trump a letter, he did not say what his message was.
Donald Trump will become only the second President in US history, after Grover Cleveland in 1893, to return to power after being voted out of the White House.
Trump has also made history by replacing Joe Biden as the oldest President of the United States.
Besides Trump, Republican politician JD Vance will also take oath as the Vice President of the US.
‘Making America Great Again’
Donald Trump’s team has declared, “As soon as President Trump places his hand on the Bible and swears the Oath to the United States Constitution, the Golden Age of America will begin.”
However, several Americans have expressed deep concern over his administration given the conservative policies in his last term.
Trump has promised to sign a record number of executive orders on the very first day of his office ushering in sweeping changes and reversing much of what his predecessor Joe Biden has done.
This is according to him the “need of the hour” and the only way to “Make America Great Again”.
Trump’s return to the Oval Office has been quite a dramatic one that saw him defy two assassination attempts and a criminal conviction to win the historic election, including him registering a win in every single swing state in the country.
His Republican party has returned to power with a majority in both the House of Representatives, as well as the Senate, giving President Trump massive power to push through any agendas he feels necessary.
According to reports, Trump will sign a staggering over 100 executive orders including immediate tariff implementation, stringent curbs on immigration, mass deportation of illegal migrants, a national emergency on the southern US border with Mexico, ending birthright citizenship, pardon to all 2021 US Capitol rioters, ban on transgender athletes from women’s sports, ending all gender-affirming care practices, and undoing the Biden administration’s directives on diversity and oil drilling, among others.
(With inputs from IBNS and Reuters)
