WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump proclaimed that the “golden age of America begins right now” and vowed to overcome the nation’s challenges through the strength of his MAGA movement in a combative inaugural address on Monday. The speech, delivered with echoes of his signature rally themes and grievances, set the tone for his return to the presidency.
Speaking for nearly 40 minutes in the Capitol Rotunda after being sworn in as America’s 47th president, Trump adopted a measured and focused style. He joined Grover Cleveland as the only presidents in U.S. history to lose re-election and later reclaim the office. Due to sub-freezing temperatures in Washington, the inauguration ceremony and address were held indoors.
Trump framed his return to the presidency as a mission of destiny, referencing a near-fatal encounter earlier in the year when he survived an assassination attempt during a Pennsylvania rally.
“I was saved by God to make America great again,” he declared, emphasizing his desire to be both a “peacemaker and unifier.”
After serving one term in office followed by four years campaigning for a comeback, Trump’s aides suggest he now has a stronger grasp of the levers of power. This renewed focus was reflected in his inaugural remarks and a sweeping set of executive orders he planned to issue immediately, signaling his intent to push the boundaries of presidential authority in advancing his agenda. However, Trump also set ambitious goals, some of which may prove challenging to achieve.
“I will declare a national emergency at our southern border,” Trump announced. “All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came.”
Trump pledged to employ emergency powers to enforce his immigration policies, echoing similar efforts from his first term to use military funds for a border wall—efforts that faced legal challenges and were halted by federal courts.
He also announced plans to designate Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico. On economic issues, he vowed to combat inflation by declaring a national energy emergency, expanding fossil fuel production, and rolling back Biden-era climate policies.
The audience of approximately 500 inside the Rotunda included prominent corporate leaders such as Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, who had contributed significant financial support to Trump’s campaign and emerged as a key advisor to the administration. Trump acknowledged Musk during his speech, underscoring their alliance.
“We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars by sending American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars,” Trump declared. Elon Musk, the wealthiest man in the world, responded enthusiastically, raising both thumbs and shouting, “Yeah!”
Trump also outlined ambitions for territorial expansion closer to Earth, turning his attention to the Panama Canal.
“We didn’t give it to China,” he said. “We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.”
Trump delivered his address before an audience that included all nine Supreme Court justices, lawmakers, his family, and the four living former presidents—Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. Biden’s attendance marked a return to the tradition of the outgoing president attending their successor’s inauguration, which Trump had foregone four years earlier.
Earlier in the day, Biden and outgoing First Lady Jill Biden welcomed Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to the White House for tea, reviving another ritual skipped during the 2021 transition. In a rare display of bipartisan goodwill, members of the Trump family applauded as Biden and outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris entered the Rotunda. However, the former presidents in attendance mostly refrained from applauding as Trump painted himself as the nation’s redeemer.
“In the United States of America, as we gather today, our government confronts a crisis of trust,” Trump said. “For many years, a radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens, leaving the pillars of our society broken and seemingly in complete disrepair.”
On the same day Biden issued controversial pardons, including to several family members, politicians, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, Trump addressed his own legal battles. He dismissed his criminal indictments—and convictions on some charges—as political persecution orchestrated by Biden.
“The scales of justice will be rebalanced,” Trump vowed. “The vicious, violent, and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and our government will end.”
The ceremony ran slightly behind schedule. At noon, the designated time for the president’s oath, former Ohio Senator J.D. Vance was sworn in as vice president by Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Vance stood with his wife, Usha, and their children, with one son holding the Bible for the oath while their youngest daughter briefly stole the spotlight by stepping down to the floor.
Following Vance’s oath, Chief Justice John Roberts administered the presidential oath to Trump. Surrounded by his wife and children, Trump took the oath with a confident smile. Afterward, he pointed at Roberts, grinned broadly, and then surprised the audience by shaking hands with Biden.
