On a momentous day in the nation’s capital, all living former presidents attended President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, where the outgoing president warmly welcomed his successor. The event commenced with a speech from the new president highlighting an optimistic vision for the country, all set against the backdrop of a celebratory brass band. However, beneath the surface of this ceremony lay significant undercurrents of concern.
Trump secured his position through a freely conducted election, which supporters believe will enable him to address pressing issues such as immigration, military conflicts, and economic pressures. Despite the celebratory tone, the inaugural festivities were tinged with reminders of past turmoil. The swearing-in ceremony took place indoors in the Capitol Rotunda, a location that bore witness to the chaos of the January 6, 2021 attack, when rioters attempted to disrupt the democratic process in support of Trump.
In his inaugural speech, Trump made a bold commitment to ensure that the government would never again target political adversaries. This promise was followed by an unscripted speech to a gathering of supporters, where he expressed discontent over the modifications made to his inaugural address and announced intentions to grant pardons to those involved in the January 6 events. Additionally, he criticized outgoing President Joe Biden for issuing pardons to members of the congressional committee that investigated the Capitol riot.
Trump’s first day back in office was marked by a series of dramatic actions, including his decision to pardon approximately 1,500 individuals connected to the January 6 incident. This action came in the wake of Biden’s last-minute pardons for several individuals, which were viewed as a necessary counter to Trump’s previous threats aimed at punishing his political foes. The extraordinary events unfolding on Trump’s return foreshadowed a term filled with potential controversies.
Rick Hasen, a law professor at UCLA, pointed out that while the structure of the inauguration ceremony appeared traditional, its underlying themes diverged significantly from democratic norms. He expressed particular concern over the pardoning of individuals who attempted to overturn the previous election’s results, describing it as a significant affront to the rule of law.
Andy Craig, affiliated with the Institute for Humane Studies at George Mason University, reflected on the disorienting nature of Trump’s inauguration. He underscored the disconnect many feel over the events that unfolded, noting that the dignified treatment Trump received during his inauguration was in stark contrast to the tumultuous actions he had taken months earlier.
Even in his newly reinstated position, Trump perpetuated falsehoods about his election defeat. He avoided mentioning the 2020 election during his official inauguration speech but during his later address, he continued to assert that he would have won California, a state he lost by a wide margin, if not for alleged voter fraud.
The inauguration festivities began just before noon, with both Trump and Biden in attendance—a notable shift from the previous year when Trump abstained from Biden’s inauguration. Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar initiated the speeches by emphasizing themes of resilience within American democracy, highlighting the significance of holding such events within the Capitol, which she referred to as the “people’s house.”
Biden’s preemptive pardons of prominent individuals, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and members of the January 6 committee, indicated the unprecedented dynamics surrounding Trump’s return to leadership. Former Republican representative Liz Cheney was among those targeted for her opposition to Trump, who disapprovingly labeled her in his remarks.
Biden explained that he issued these pardons as a moral obligation to protect individuals unjustly scrutinized for their acts of commendable courage. Meanwhile, former Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone, who had suffered severe injuries during the Capitol riot, received one of Biden’s last-minute pardons due to his cooperation with the investigation. Fanone expressed disbelief at the unfolding circumstances of his nation, struggling to comprehend the reality of the situation.
