President Donald Trump’s second inauguration appeared, at first, to uphold the long-standing American tradition of transferring power smoothly, which plays a vital role in the country’s democracy. His victory in a recent election brought hope to many supporters who believe he will tackle critical issues such as border security, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and rising inflation.
However, there were clear signs of tension during the ceremony. Due to extremely cold weather, Trump’s swearing-in took place inside the Capitol Rotunda, a site that had witnessed chaos during the January 6, 2021, insurrection, where rioters aimed to prevent the transfer of power. Trump entered through an area that had been the scene of intense clashes between his supporters and law enforcement.
During his address, Trump asserted that the government would “never again” engage in the “persecution” of political opponents. He later spoke spontaneously to a group of supporters, expressing frustration over the limits imposed on his inaugural speech. He also indicated intentions to pardon individuals involved in the January 6 events and criticized the outgoing administration’s preemptive pardons extended by President Joe Biden to the investigators of the attack.
Trump shared with the crowd that his original remarks had to be toned down and suggested that he had some “extremely controversial” points to discuss. This gathering took place in the Capitol’s Emancipation Hall, a space recently occupied by National Guard troops due to the unrest following the attack.
As promised, Trump went ahead and granted pardons to around 1,500 individuals connected to the insurrection, including some who had reportedly assaulted police officers. This followed Biden’s last-minute pardons, which aimed to counter Trump’s threats of retribution against his political rivals.
The events of Trump’s first day back in office hinted at an ongoing atmosphere of contention for the upcoming term. Despite asserting his power, Trump continued to propagate false claims regarding the 2020 election loss, suggesting voter fraud led to his defeat, even claiming he could win California, where he lost significantly.
The day’s celebrations began just before noon, with both Trump and Biden present, marking a notable contrast to the previous transition when Trump declined to attend the ceremony handing power to Biden. Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar commenced the speaking program, emphasizing the theme of “our enduring democracy.” Although her remarks were generally routine, they took on a deeper significance in this particular context.
Klobuchar highlighted the uniqueness of the inaugural festivities held at the “people’s house,” the Capitol, contrasting it with presidential ceremonies in other nations. She concluded her speech by acknowledging the brave firefighters combating wildfires in Southern California, challenging the nation’s fortitude during difficult times.
The day’s events underlined the unusual political landscape created by Trump’s return. In response to this climate, Biden granted preemptive pardons to various individuals, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and the members of the congressional committee investigating January 6. Notably, former representative Liz Cheney, a Republican who stood against Trump and faced backlash from party members, was also present among those pardoned.
Biden justified these pardons by discussing the exceptional circumstances, emphasizing the lasting harm that investigations can cause to individuals’ lives, even when they have done nothing wrong. Former Metropolitan Police officer Michael Fanone, who endured serious harm during the insurrection, was among those pardoned, giving a powerful testament to the gravity of the situation.
Commenting on his pardon, Fanone expressed disbelief at the current state of affairs in America, reflecting the turmoil that continues to resonate within the nation.
