Donald Trump became the 47th president of the United States on Monday (20). In a ceremony that had to be held inside the Capitol instead of outside as usual due to the polar cold affecting the region, Trump delivered an inauguration speech more akin to a speech for unity and cited the various measures he intends to take upon assuming office.
“The golden age of America begins now,” Trump said. “From this day forward, our country will flourish.”
Trump promised during the campaign to push for tariffs on foreign products, expand drilling, and deport immigrants without legal status in the country.
In his inauguration speech, he stated that he would sign a “series of executive orders” focusing on immigration and the economy. Trump said he would declare a “national emergency at our southern border,” halting immigration and deporting “criminal immigrants.”
“We will do this at a level that nobody has ever seen before,” Trump promised.
Trump also said he would declare a “national energy emergency,” rescind the Green New Deal and the electric vehicle mandate, and create an “External Revenue Service” to level tariffs against products from other countries.
Trump argues that these measures will help build American “prosperity,” although he stated after the election that it would be “difficult” to reduce prices. Prices and inflation have consistently been top concerns for many Americans.
Cultural issues and immigration have always fueled Trump’s political rise. Immigration has been a core priority for his base. In the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll, 4 in 10 Republicans favored mass deportations, and more than half said they strongly support it.
Trump said he would change U.S. policy to recognize only two genders — “male and female.” LGBTQ+ rights have been a critical point in the 2024 presidential campaign.
Trump also promised political retaliation, although it is unclear how far he will go or if he will follow through.
“The scales of justice will be rebalanced,” Trump promised in his speech. He has been charged in four different criminal cases, two federal and two state — New York and Georgia. Only one went to trial before the election. Trump was convicted in New York for business fraud, stemming from hush money payments to conceal an alleged affair with an adult film actress.
Trump highlighted his improvements in the election among Black and Latino voters, especially men.
“To the Black and Hispanic communities, thank you for the trust and love you have given me,” Trump said, adding: “We set records, and I will not forget.”
Trump achieved a record percentage of Latinos for a Republican — 46%, according to exit polls. He garnered only 11% of Black voters but saw improvement among Black men.
Trump also promised to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and that the country would take control of the Panama Canal.
When Trump said he would rename the Gulf of Mexico, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whom Trump defeated in 2016 for president, was seen shaking her head and laughing.
During his inauguration speech, Trump also spoke about the assassination attempt he survived during the campaign and said he believes he was “saved by God” for a purpose.
“They tried to take my freedom and, in fact, take my life,” Trump said. “I felt that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again.”
In other words, Trump believes he is in the presidency for reasons beyond political ones, but also divine ones.
Sources: NPR and The New York Times