Now the official 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump’s inauguration was his official promise to the United States to “make America great again.” The newest President’s inaugural address according to CBS News was a “30 minute speech” made up of Mr. Trump vowing that the “golden age of America begins right now” and “from this moment on, America’s decline is over.” Also according to CBS News, the President’s first inaugural address lasted 16 minutes, spanning 1,433 words. In fact, it was the shortest since the late Jimmy Carter’s inaugural address in 1977.
These are the top 5 highlights of President Trump’s inauguration:
- Immigration Orders
Trump showing a newly signed executive order.
After winning both the electoral college and the popular vote, it’s no surprise that the President received standing ovations during his remarks. His first ovation came after saying he would declare a national emergency at the southern border. Trump previewed 10 executive orders that were signed on Monday targeting to crack down on immigration and drug cartels. His next ovation came after declaring that he would reinstate the “remain in Mexico” policy, AKA the Migrant Protection Protocols. He also said he would designate drug and smuggling cartels as terrorist organizations.
The President also declared a national emergency that would marshal the military to the border while also resuming construction of his border wall. A notable promise of his 2024 campaign was to reduce or stop the influx of migrants at the U.S.’s southern border. Now being in office, his team said his victory in November created “a mandate” for him to carry out those exact vows. Along with this, he aims to end birthright citizenship and pause refugee resettlement programs.
- Aspiring to a “Golden Age”
Trump speaking in the Capitol’s famous rotunda.
During his last term, he talked about “American carnage” arguing that some men and women have been forgotten and are struggling. This time however, he opened by declaring, “The Golden Age of America begins right now.” In the overflowing Capitol rotunda, filled with speakers, officials, and other supporters, he mentioned to them that he wanted to make his speech “beautiful.” The President also said “the country will flourish and be respected all over the world during my four years as president.” Renewing his theme from his 2017 address, he said, “During every single day of the Trump administration I will, very simply, put America first.”
This year, he leads with, “We stand on the verge of the four greatest years in American history,” and ends his remarks with, “we will not be conquered, we will not be intimidated, we will not be broken and we will not fail. Our Golden Age has just begun.”
- “Saved by God” from assassination attempt in July
Trump raises his fist after being shot in the ear at a campaign event in Pennsylvania last year.
During his speech, the President said that he had been “saved by God” in order to “make America great again” after surviving an attempt on his life during an outdoor campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July 2024. Over his 2024 campaign, he had survived 2 assassination attempts. Mr. Trump also said “Over the past eight years, I have been tested and challenged more than any president in our 250-year history.” He ended this recalled moment saying, “Just a few months ago in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear, but I felt then and believed even more so now that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again.”
- Critical of Biden’s work
Trump speaking while former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris sit behind. Also pictured are former First Lady Jill Biden, 42nd President Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton.
Almost every single time the newly elected president spoke, he mentioned former president, Joe Biden, and his work while he was in office. One could describe some of the comments Trump made as critical if not partially offensive. It was also noted by watchers that Biden was seated next to the podium.
One of his many statements include “We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home, while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad. It fails to protect our magnificent law-abiding American citizens, but provide sanctuary and protection for dangerous criminals, many from prisons and mental institutions that have illegally entered our country from all over the world.” Shaming the current status of our country while Biden was in charge. He also rampaged against the federal response to natural disasters, the cost and lack of access to health care, and, as called by the president, the “shame” heaped upon students in schools across the country. He also criticized the federal response to the hurricane in North Carolina, saying the state’s people have been treated “so badly” and “fires still tragically burn” in Los Angeles, impacting some of “the wealthiest and most powerful individuals.” Another executive order Trump signed on Monday was that the country will recognize only two genders, male and female, as part of an effort to end a “government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life.” Trump added that, “As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.” He ended this part of the speech with, “All of this will change, starting today.”
- Panama Canal and “Gulf of America” pledges
The audience reaction as Trump announces his plan to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
Once again President Trump pledged to take back the Panama Canal and called the sale of the canal for $1 a “gift that never should have been made.” He said the U.S. had been treated “very badly” and that the “spirit of our treaty has been violated,” while also claiming that China was operating the canal. He also said he would rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” as part of his Day 1 executive orders. He released this idea to the public during a press conference. A rather humorous moment was when former first lady Hillary Clinton, who was Trump’s runner-up in the 2016 election, laughed when Trump talked about the “Gulf of Mexico” plan and shook her head at the Panama Canal promise.
Ibrahim Shamoun • Jan 25, 2025 at 10:43 am
Nice article, would read again.