'The golden age of America begins right now,' says US president minutes after he was sworn in
President Donald Trump was sworn in for a returning second term in office Monday, heralding a major shift in the US government widely expected to send shockwaves through American society and the world.
"The golden age of America begins right now," Trump said minutes after he was sworn in during a ceremony held within the Capitol Rotunda, the first since 1985 when Ronald Reagan moved the ceremony indoors due to exceptionally frigid temperatures.
"We will be a nation like no other, full of compassion, courage and exceptionalism, our power will stop all wars and bring a new spirit of unity to a world that has been angry, violent and totally unpredictable. America will be respected again and admired again, including by people of religion, faith and good will. We will be prosperous. We will be proud, we will be strong, and we will win like never before. We will not be conquered, we will not be intimidated, we will not be broken, and we will not fail. From this day on, the United States of America will be a free, sovereign and independent nation," added Trump.
Trump notably did not place his hand on the Bible when he took the oath of office in what marks his latest departure from tradition. It remains unclear why he did not do so.
Trump said his Nov. 5 electoral victory "is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal and all of these many betrayals that have taken place, and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy. And indeed, their freedom. From this moment on, America's decline is over." Trump said he "was saved by God to make America great again," referring to the July attempt on his life that killed a rallygoer and injured the president.
He previewed several executive orders he will soon sign, including actions that will crackdown on migration, an emergency declaration along the US-Mexican border, a series of immigration raids across the country, the reinstatement of his “Remain in Mexico” policy which mandates asylum seekers remain in the North American country while their legal process plays out and the designation of cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
"We have a government that has given unlimited funding to the defense of foreign borders, but refuses to defend American borders, or, more importantly, its own people," he said.
The White House said in a subsequent statement that immigrant round-ups "will address the record border crossings of criminal aliens under the prior administration." It added that refugee resettlement programs will be halted, and US armed forces "will engage in border security," including the deployment of troops along the border to "assist existing law enforcement personnel."
It said among the cartels who will be designated is the Tren de Aragua, a transnational criminal organization from Venezuela. Trump plans to use the Alien Enemies Act to remove known cartel associates from the US.
The Justice Department will further be directed to seek the death penalty for individuals convicted of killing a law enforcement officer, and for undocumented migrants "who maim and murder Americans."
Trump said he would declare a national emergency to expand fossil fuel production. "Ee will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it."
"We will drill, baby, drill," he proclaimed, echoing one of his popular refrains.
He further said he would declare a government policy to recognize just two genders -- male and female.
Turning to foreign policy, Trump said his success will be measured "not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end, and perhaps most importantly the wars we never get into.”
"My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier. That's what I want to be, a peacemaker and a unifier," he said.
Trump lauded a recent ceasefire agreement in the besieged Gaza Strip that went into effect Sunday. "The hostages in the Middle East are coming back home to their families," he said.
Former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris joined in the applause that followed the comments, one of the few instances where they did during Trump's speech in which he repeatedly assailed the former administration.
Following the inauguration, the president is slated to depart the Capitol and head to the nearby Capital One Arena, where he will address supporters during a rally that will also feature a presidential parade.
It remains unclear how a parade, which would normally run from the Capitol up Pennsylvania Ave. to the White House, will be featured within the venue.
