Donald Trump is sworn in as 47th president
On Jan. 20, 2025 President Donald J. Trump took his oath of office inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda at 9 a.m. PST, marking the beginning of his second term in the White House. His running mate, Vice President J.D Vance, was also sworn into office marking the beginning of the Trump-Vance administration.
The inauguration was attended by politicians such as former presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. The event also had celebrity country singer Carrie Underwood perform “America the Beautiful” acapella with the help of audience members after suffering technical difficulties that cut off her backing music. Tesla CEO Elon Musk was also in attendance and while giving a speech appeared to be gesturing a motion similar to a Nazi salute causing the media to criticize his actions.
Trump opened his 30-minute inaugural address with optimism, pledging a “golden age” and a “revolution of common sense.” “From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world,” Trump said. He went on to list his priorities on trade, immigration and national security.
Following the president’s inauguration, Day One concluded with 26 executive orders. “A tide of change is sweeping the country,” Trump said. One of his first executive orders as the 47th president was the pardoning of over 1,500 people charged with storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump also withdrew the U.S. from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement after declaring a “national energy emergency.” In reference to oil rigging he stated, “We will drill, baby, drill,” Trump said.
The president also announced a “national emergency at our southern border,” and his course of action led him to sign an executive order to cease birthright citizenship to children with undocumented parents. Additionally, Trump signed orders to reform the federal hiring process, designate cartels as foreign terrorists and secure borders.
During his first 24 hours in office, Trump rescinded 78 of former President Joe Biden’s executive actions, reversing policies on drug pricing and Obamacare, as well as those protecting transgender rights. One executive order issued states that the federal government will officially recognize two biological sexes: male and female. Although at this time it is unsure what the outcome of these orders will be as congress and the courts can potentially block the executive orders.
