President-elect Donald Trump took the constitutional oath on January 20, 2025, assuming the role of the 47th President of the United States. Inauguration Day marks the commencement of a new four-year presidential term, serving as a celebratory event for the nation. The ceremony takes place for each incoming presidential term, regardless of whether the President is beginning their first term or continuing for a second.
Distinctive Features
Donald Trump's inauguration as the new U.S. President was a ceremony characterized by several noteworthy aspects. Key features of the event included:
1. Holding the ceremony inside the Capitol Hill building:
Since President Ronald Reagan's inauguration in 1981, the ceremony has traditionally been held on the west front of the U.S. Capitol, facing the National Mall with its iconic Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. However, for Trump's second term, the inauguration ceremony took place inside the Congress headquarters rather than outdoors due to bitter cold weather.
Breaking a 40-year tradition, this marks the first time a U.S. presidential inauguration has been held indoors. Trump recently explained the decision on his Truth Social account, citing a polar storm sweeping the country. He expressed concern for people's safety, stating he did not want to see anyone hurt or injured. Consequently, he ordered the inaugural address, prayers, and other speeches to be delivered in the Capitol Hall (the Congress building).
2. A Relatively Modest Ceremony:
The inauguration ceremony was relatively modest and small compared to previous ceremonies, such as those of former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, according to CNBC. The modest scale of the event stood in contrast to the Trump inauguration committee's announcement that they had raised $170 million.
3. Supervision by a Democratic Senator:
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, led this year by Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota, spearheaded the planning for the inauguration ceremony of the President-elect and their Vice President. The committee oversees numerous events on Inauguration Day, including the procession to the Capitol building, the constitutional oath-taking ceremonies for both the Vice President and the President, the inaugural address, and the honorary departure of the outgoing President and Vice President. Additionally, the committee manages the signing ceremony, during which the new President signs appointments, memoranda, declarations, or executive orders, followed by the luncheon. The day's events also feature a military parade, where the President and Vice President inspect the military forces, and conclude with the presidential procession, which will take place in Capital One Arena in downtown Washington.
4. Heightened security measures:
The inauguration ceremony is typically classified as a "National Special Security Event," allowing for additional funding and coordination between agencies, including the Secret Service, Homeland Security, and the U.S. Capitol Police. However, Trump's return to the Oval Office occurs under exceptional circumstances. During his election campaign, he faced multiple threats, including two clear assassination attempts, an attack in New Orleans, and an explosion in Las Vegas, which has significantly raised the security alert level. Estimates indicate that 25,000 National Guard troops have been deployed in Washington D.C. The security measures extend for 48 kilometers around the White House area and the Capitol building, incorporating drones, snipers, and barbed wire. Some roads have been closed, checkpoints increased, and concrete barriers placed to enhance protection.
5. Foreign leaders' unprecedented attendance:
Trump's inauguration ceremony marked a historic departure from tradition by inviting several foreign heads of state. Previously, only diplomats represented their countries at U.S. power transition ceremonies. However, this event saw high-profile international attendance, including Argentine President Javier Milei, a staunch Trump supporter, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, representing President Xi Jinping.
6. Strong presence of the technology community:
The inauguration ceremony of President Trump showcased the technology industry's growing influence in American politics, with a remarkable turnout of tech titans. Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's founder and CEO, joined Jeff Bezos, Amazon's executive founder, in attendance. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, was present alongside Apple's Tim Cook and Google's Sundar Pichai. Notably, Shou Chew, CEO of TikTok, also participated, marking the app's return to service in the United States just two days after its suspension.
Key Points from Trump's Historic Speech
Donald Trump's 2025 inauguration speech has etched its place in history, becoming the longest in modern times. Contrasting sharply with his 2017 address—the shortest in recent memory—this latest oration was approximately double in length, as reported by the American website "Axios."
The speech's significance extends beyond its duration. Trump joined an exclusive club, becoming only the second president in U.S. history, after Grover Cleveland, to deliver a second, non-consecutive inaugural address. Key points from Trump's historic speech include:
1. Restoring the American dream:
President Donald Trump began his inauguration speech with a powerful declaration: "The golden age of America begins now." He vowed to "put America first," emphasizing a vision of renewed prosperity and global respect. "From this day forward, our country will prosper and be respected once again throughout the world," Trump proclaimed. "We will be the envy of every nation and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer."
Trump reaffirmed his commitment to serving America first, promising to make the nation greater, stronger, and more exceptional than ever before. He stressed his determination to eliminate negligence and corruption within the government apparatus, boldly stating, “America’s decline is over.”
As he returns to office as the 47th President, Trump expressed confidence and optimism about the dawn of an exciting new era of national success. "The sun's rays are pouring down on the entire world," he declared, "and America has the opportunity to seize this chance like never before."
2. Energy takes center stage:
Trump views the inflation crisis as a consequence of excessive spending and rising energy prices. In response, he announced a national energy emergency during his inauguration speech. This declaration aims to resume drilling permits, echoing the slogan "Drill, baby, drill." Trump believes that energy resources, including oil and natural gas, can restore America's wealth.
In addition, Trump pledged to end the "electric vehicle mandate," which currently provides tax exemptions for purchasing these cars. His intention is to revitalize the "traditional car industry." Emphasizing consumer choice and domestic manufacturing, Trump stated, "You will be able to buy the car of your choice. We will build automobiles in America again at a rate that nobody could have dreamt possible just a few years ago."
3. Criticism of Biden’s administration:
Trump criticized Joe Biden's administration, despite Biden's presence at the inauguration ceremony, sitting just steps away. He asserted that the Biden administration had failed to manage domestic crises while simultaneously stumbling in handling catastrophic events abroad. Addressing the immigration dilemma, Trump declared that the current Biden government “fails to protect our wonderful law-abiding citizens but provides sanctuary and protection for dangerous criminals." He further claimed, "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."
4. Priority of change in health and education:
President Donald Trump declared that the country is currently in a state of decline, criticizing the education and healthcare systems, and pledging to bring about rapid change in these two sectors. Regarding these issues, Trump stated: "We have a public health system that does not deliver in times of disaster, yet more money is spent on it than any country anywhere in the world. And we have an education system that teaches our children to be ashamed of themselves — in many cases, to hate our country despite the love that we try so desperately to provide to them. All of this will change starting today, and it will change very quickly."
5. Ending diversity policies:
Trump vowed to establish a U.S. policy recognizing only two genders, "male and female," and committed to halting efforts at race and gender engineering. Notably, following his victory in the American elections, Trump pledged to issue executive orders curtailing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. He declared that federal funds would not be allocated to support what he termed "gender ideology."
6. Imposing tariffs on countries:
Trump vowed to reform the trade system by imposing tariffs and taxes on foreign countries. He announced the creation of a new agency called the "External Revenue Service," tasked with collecting "all tariffs, fees, and revenues." Trump emphasized that these substantial amounts would flow directly into the American treasury, benefiting the country as a whole.
7. Immigration and border security plan:
Trump announced his intention to declare a "national emergency” on the southern border of the United States of America. His plan aims to halt immigration and deport individuals he termed "criminal aliens." The proposal includes classifying drug gangs as terrorist organizations, necessitating confrontation. Simultaneously, Trump plans to issue orders to the U.S. military for constructing a new section of the barrier wall along the Mexico border. Additionally, he intends to grant emergency authorities permission to suspend the entry of illegal immigrants across the southwestern border, facilitating rapid deportation of arrested individuals to their countries of origin.
8. Ambiguity of Trump's foreign policy:
Foreign policy played a minor role in Trump's speech, with all related statements being concise and lacking specificity. Trump failed to present a cohesive vision of his foreign policy priorities while reaffirming controversial statements that had previously upset his American neighbors. He reiterated his pledge to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America," declaring: "America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on earth, inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire world."
Emphasizing the Panama Canal's significance to the United States, Trump highlighted the substantial financial investment and the loss of 38,000 American lives during its construction. He argued that these sacrifices precluded China from controlling the canal, stating: "We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.” He added, “American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape, or form."
Trump's speech also included a brief mention of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, noting:"I’m pleased to say that as of yesterday, one day before I assumed office, the hostages in the Middle East are coming back home to their families."
9. Domination of Mars:
Trump declared, "We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars." Observers interpret this statement as both a confirmation of America's desire for space superiority and a warning message to China and Russia, viewed as the strongest competitors to the United States in the space race. Many believe it serves as a signal to unleash his friend Elon Musk's investments in this advanced field, evidenced by Musk's enthusiastic applause during Trump's speech on the matter.
In conclusion, despite the enthusiastic tone in Trump's speech, the reality remains that he is starting from where his predecessor Biden left off, a characteristic inherent in the American political system. Many policies from Biden's term will likely continue under Trump, particularly those related to Middle East issues or dealings with China and Washington's allies in South, Southeast, and East Asia. However, Trump may employ different tactics and varying levels of hostility and friendship in implementing these policies. The notable new elements in Trump's approach include expectations of imposing pressure policies on allies, as well as the increased likelihood of resorting to "imposing peace by force" to resolve crises, whether in the Middle East or elsewhere around the world.
