‘Golden age of America begins now’: Donald Trump sworn in as 47th president
Donald Trump has been sworn in as the United States' 47th president.
Chief Justice John Roberts administered Trump's presidential oath on Monday (20 January).
After Trump was sworn in his supporters inside the Capital One Arena, nearly all on their feet, roared and applauded, many waving their MAGA hats in the air, some clearly emotional. Chants of "USA" filled the arena.
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'Golden age of America begins right now'
Donald Trump began his speech as president by addressing his fellow presidents and others attending the event, including former Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Joe Biden.
"The golden age of America begins right now," he said. "From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected.
"I will very simply put America first."
Trump continued his speech by laying out his vision for America and pledged to restore the nation's sovereignty.
"Our sovereignty will be reclaimed, our safety will be restored, the scales of justice will be rebalanced," he said, adding that "the vicious violent and unfair weaponisation" of the US Justice Department will end.
"Our top priority will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous and free," he said.
Trump went on to say that America will soon be "greater, stronger, and far more exceptional than ever before".
He said he returns to the presidency "confident and optimistic" and that it is the "start of a thrilling new era of national success".
"Sunlight is pouring over the entire world and America has the chance to seize this opportunity like never before," he added.
Trump continued to use his first speech to attack the Biden administration and its handling of the migrant crisis.
He said the country's challenges will be "annihilated", adding that the US is confronting a crisis of "trust over radical and corrupt establishment".
The previous administration, he said, has provided sanctuary and protection for "dangerous criminals" who have illegally entered our country.
The government has given "unlimited funding to the defence of foreign borders" but refuses to defend American borders, he claimed.
"We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home," Trump said.
Trump talked about the hurricane in North Carolina and the LA fires.
He said the fires affected some of the wealthiest and most powerful, some of whom are sitting here right now.
"They don't have a home any longer. That's interesting," he told the Capitol Rotunda audience.
He said the US has a health system that doesn't deliver in times of disaster, but said more money is spent on it "than anywhere in the world".
He added that the country has an education system that "teaches our children to be ashamed of themselves".
"All of this will change, starting today, and it will change very quickly," Trump said.
'America's decline is over'
He said he has been given a mandate to "completely and totally reverse" what he called "a horrible betrayal" by those in power against the American people adding that he will give people "their faith, their wealth, their democracy and their freedom."
"From this moment on, America's decline is over," he said.
'My life was saved 'for a reason'
Trump addressed the assassination attempt against him.
He started by saying that our nation's "glorious destiny" will no longer be denied.
Reflecting on the attempt on his life, he said over the past eight years he's been "tested more than any president".
He added that some have "tried to stop our cause" and tried to take his freedom "and indeed my life".
He said his life was saved "for a reason" - to "make America great again" - his slogan for two campaign cycles.
President projects an image of 'power and strength'
Trump said his government will work to meet every crisis with "dignity, power and strength" and will "bring back prosperity for citizens of every race, religion, colour and creed".
"January 20th 2025 is liberation day", he said, to a loud applause in the Rotunda.
"It is my hope that the recent election will be remembered as the greatest and most consequential in history of our country," Trump said.
Trump tells black and Hispanic voters, I hear you
Trump then addressed black and Hispanic communities in the US, and thanked them for "the tremendous outpouring of love and trust".
"I heard your voices in the campaign, and I look forward to working with you," he said.
The president noted that today - 20 January - is Martin Luther King Day in the US, honouring the prominent civil rights activist.
"We will strive to make his dream a reality," he said, as the crowd reacts with a standing ovation.
National emergency on southern border will be signed today
Trump detailed some of the executive actions he plans to take now that he's president.
Today, he said, he'll sign an executive order declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border.
All illegal entry will "immediately be halted" he said, adding that the government will begin the process of returning millions of "criminal aliens" to where they came from.
He talked about some of the actions he's planning, including reinstating the so-called Remain in Mexico policy and sending more troops and manpower to the border.
Cartels will be designated as foreign terrorist organisations, Trump says
Trump said that today's executive orders will be "designating the cartels as foreign terrorist organisations" - which receives a loud applause.
He said by invoking the "Aliens Enemies Act of 1798" he will direct the government to use the "full and immense power of federal and state law enforcement" to end "foreign gangs on US soil".
'Drill baby drill'
The president directed his attention to tackling inflation and rising energy costs for Americans - a focal point of his campaigning.
He said he will direct all members of cabinet to do what is in their power to "defeat" inflation and "rapidly bring down costs and prices".
Trump added that he will declare a national energy emergency, and repeats his promise that his administration will ramp up drilling of oil and gas on US soil.
"America will be a manufacturing nation once again," he said, adding that America sits on "the most oil and natural gas of any nation on earth, and we're going to use it."
"Drill baby drill," he said to applause.
President promises to make America a 'rich nation again'
Trump continued on with his economic plans for the country.
He said the US will be a "rich nation again" because of the "liquid gold under our feet".
He detailed his plans for the auto industry, saying he'll revoke an "electric vehicle mandate" and build automobiles in America "again at a rate that nobody could have dreamt possible just a few years ago".
'The American dream will soon be back'
Trump said he'll immediately begin an overhaul of trade, and that he is establishing the "External Revenue Service" to collect all tariff duties and revenues.
He said these revenues will come from "foreign sources".
"The American dream will soon be back and thriving like never before," the president said.
He talked about the establishment of DOGE - the new department of government efficiency.
"After years and years of illegal and unconstitutional restriction of expression, I will also sign an Executive Order to stop all censorship and bring back free speech to America," he said.
I'll deliver a 'colour-blind and merit-based' society - president
Trump said he will end what he says has been government policy to bring race and gender into "every aspect of public and private life," vowing to forge a society that is "colour-blind and merit-based" instead.
He added that, as of today, it will be official policy of the US government that there are only two genders, male and female.
What is the oath of office?
The constitution of the United States spells out that "Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation -
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
An audience of hundreds, including members of Congress, captains of the US high tech industry and other VIPs erupted into cheers and applause as Donald Trump entered a packed Capitol Rotunda to the US Marine Band's "Hail, America" march.
