On Monday, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, with JD Vance taking the oath as the 50th Vice President. Originally planned to take place at the U.S. Capitol Building, the inauguration ceremony was moved indoors due to cold weather.
In his second inaugural speech, President Trump focused on themes of strength, victory and unity. He promised a “golden age” for the country, criticized the previous administration’s handling of crises such as the wildfires in Los Angeles and hurricanes in North Carolina and declared the day “liberation day.”
Acknowledging the significance of the inauguration coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Trump vowed, “We will strive to make his dream a reality. We will make his dream come true.” This statement drew a smirk from former President Joe Biden, who attended the ceremony.
Trump also highlighted his improved performance with Black and Latino voters in the 2024 election. According to NBC exit polls, Trump won 46% of the Latino vote, a record for a Republican party, and 11% of the Black vote, with notable gains among Black men. “To the Black and Hispanic communities, thank you for the trust and love you gave to me,” Trump said.
Immigration was a central theme of Trump’s speech. He announced plans to reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which mandates that asylum seekers stay in Mexico while their claims are processed. Trump also pledged to declare a national emergency to deploy troops to the southern border halting all illegal entry into the country. As a result, criminals and gang members will be prioritised in such raids, however, all illegal immigrants – including those who have no criminal history, are more likely to be deported.
The U.S. Border Patrol has already shut down the CBP One entry program, a policy implemented by President Biden to allow legal entry for migrants with existing appointments being canceled. Deportation efforts were reported to begin as soon as Tuesday, with reports suggesting Chicago as an initial location, although Tom Homan, in charge of border control oversight under Trump says that the administration is reconsidering after the location was leaked.
Dem. Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois condemned the deportation plans, stating, “That’s unconstitutional. We will not follow an unconstitutional order.”
Trump called on U.S. agencies to deny birthright citizenship – citizenship to children born in the United States unless at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. This restriction, which is a clear violation of the 14th Amendment, is set to take effect in 30 days.
In his first official day in office, President Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement for the second time, leaving the U.S. alongside Iran, Libya, and Yemen as the only non-participants. He also announced plans to resume oil and gas drilling on federal lands, undoing many of former President Biden’s climate initiatives. Trump also began the process of withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization, leaving Liechtenstein as the only other United Nations member not part of the organization.
Other executive orders related to the environment included reinstating Denali in Alaska as the formerly named Mt. McKinley and renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.”
Trump declared national emergencies related to the border and the energy sector, laying out plans to restructure the U.S. trade system by imposing tariffs and taxes on foreign nations to prioritize American industries like automotives and technology.
In closing, Trump doubled down on his “America First” agenda, declaring, “In America, the impossible is what we do best.” He emphasized prioritizing American interests above all else, and bolstering the country’s economy redefining its role in global affairs.
