Donald Trump has been inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, marking the start of a new term after a contentious election campaign.
During his inauguration ceremony on Monday, January 20, Trump delivered a fiery address, outlining his vision for America’s future and tackling key issues he pledged to address during his campaign.
“Life Saved by the Grace of God”
Reflecting on an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump attributed his survival to divine intervention. “My life was saved by the grace of God to make America great again,” he said, drawing applause from the crowd gathered on Capitol Hill.
Trump expressed gratitude to outgoing President Joe Biden and acknowledged the presence of several former presidents at the ceremony.
Energy and Economic Priorities
Within moments of assuming office, Trump declared a “national energy emergency,” underscoring his commitment to reducing energy prices. “We will drill, baby, drill,” he proclaimed, reaffirming his support for domestic energy production as a cornerstone of his administration’s economic policy.
Blaming inflation on “massive overspending and escalating energy prices,” Trump announced his plan to empower his Cabinet to leverage “the vast powers at their disposal” to reduce the cost of goods and address the economic challenges facing Americans.
Gender and Social Policies
Trump also introduced a significant shift in government policy, stating his administration will officially recognize only two genders, male and female. “I will end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life,” he said, signalling a rollback of inclusive practices adopted under previous administrations.
Military Strength and Foreign Policy
Positioning himself as both a “peace maker and unifier,” Trump pledged to build the “strongest military the world has ever seen.” He emphasized that his administration’s success will be measured by the wars it avoids as well as those it wins.
On international matters, Trump criticized Panama for alleged violations of treaty agreements governing the Panama Canal. “American ships are being severely overcharged,” he claimed, accusing China of exerting undue control over the canal. “We gave it to Panama, not China. And we’re taking it back,” he declared.
A Vision for Unity
Despite the divisive rhetoric of his campaign, Trump promised to lead as a unifier. “From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation,” he said, projecting confidence in his vision to restore America’s global standing.