In a swift display of intent, Donald Trump began dismantling Joe Biden’s presidential legacy right after being inaugurated as the nation’s 47th president. His first acts included granting pardons to a multitude of his supporters involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots and issuing a series of executive orders aimed at significantly reshaping American governance and societal norms.
The Monday inauguration was marked by an assertive approach from Trump, who seemed rejuvenated and validated by his extraordinary political resurgence. It was a fresh start for Trump, as he put forward his vision of ushering in what he termed “a golden age” for the nation, just four years after losing the presidential seat to Biden.
Among the executive orders signed, Trump prioritized stricter border security measures, classified drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, limited birthright citizenship, froze new government regulations, and created a task force to streamline federal agencies. He revoked many directives set forth by the previous administration, notably in areas concerning climate change and diversity initiatives.
Walking back into the Oval Office, which had undergone some renovations, gave Trump a sense of joy and satisfaction. Unlike his initial term, where his new team quickly had to adjust to an unclear agenda, this time he operated in a steady, determined manner right from the outset.
His opening move involved pardoning approximately 1,500 individuals connected to the insurrection, including those convicted of serious offenses like assaulting law enforcement during the riot. In addition, he shortened sentences for another 14 individuals, which included key figures from the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, creating a broad shield of clemency for his supporters who attempted to disrupt the electoral process.
Trump described these individuals as “hostages,” expressing anticipation of their imminent release. Notably, a gathering formed outside a jail in Washington, D.C., ready to welcome the pardoned individuals. The inauguration was characterized by a blend of formalities and spontaneous rhetoric, proving that Trump balances seriousness with irreverence, often deviating from prepared scripts.
The frigid weather also played a role in altering plans for the day; the swearing-in took place indoors at the Capitol Rotunda, a first in four decades, and a traditional inaugural parade was substituted with a performance featuring marching bands at Capital One Arena.
In his inaugural address, Trump announced what he termed “the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense.” He emphasized restoring public trust in government, proclaiming to have a mandate to reverse what he termed a “horrible betrayal.” He vowed to restore faith, wealth, democracy, and freedom to the American people, asserting that “from this moment on, America’s decline is over,” with Biden listening attentively from the front row.
Vice President Kamala Harris was also present, having taken Biden’s place on the ballot after he withdrew from the race last summer, only to be unseated by Trump in the general election.
Trump’s aspirations extended to expanding U.S. territories, referencing interests in acquiring Greenland and regaining control over the Panama Canal. He also vowed to send astronauts to Mars as part of a journey towards fulfilling “our manifest destiny into the stars.” Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, was visibly supportive during Trump’s remarks.
Although many supporters gathered to witness the swearing-in from the National Mall, the change in venue forced them to seek alternative viewing spots. Meanwhile, high-profile tech leaders like Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and others were granted overlooking positions in the Rotunda, mingling with Trump’s team—a display of substantial affluence for a president who marketed himself as a champion of the working class.
Following the ceremony, Trump and Biden walked to the east side of the Capitol, where Biden left by helicopter, embarking on his life post-presidency.
Trump had more to share beyond his inaugural speech. He later addressed his supporters within the Capitol, revisiting various conspiratorial claims regarding electoral fraud and targeting political adversaries, including former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, whom he disparaged as “a crying lunatic.” His remarks lasted even longer than his presidential address, confidently asserting, “I think this is a better speech than the one I gave upstairs.”
Moving to the Capital One Arena for further actions, Trump proceeded to sign executive orders while thousands of supporters cheered. Merging the tones of his campaign rallies with presidential duties, he proclaimed, “We won, we won, but now the work begins,” showcasing a more playful demeanor as he contrasted himself with Biden while penning his signature on executive orders. He jested about his predecessor’s capabilities, stating, “Could you imagine Biden doing this? I don’t think so!” and playfully tossed the pens into the eager crowd.
Trump’s resurgence into politics marks an unparalleled chapter in American history. Just four years prior, he faced an electoral defeat amid widespread turmoil caused by a devastating pandemic. Despite attempts to cling to power, including inciting supporters to rally at the Capitol as lawmakers validated election results, Trump remained a stalwart within the Republican Party, undeterred by various legal challenges that have surfaced since his return.
Now, being the first former president with a felony conviction for false business records stemming from hush money payments, he is establishing a new chapter in his presidency, reiterating his duty to “preserve, protect, and defend” the Constitution from the very office where his supporters had attempted to disrupt democracy on January 6.
In a surprising move as he was about to vacate office, Biden issued preemptive pardons to protect his family members and government officials targeted by Trump. He expressed regret about the situation, stating, “these are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing.” Trump later criticized Biden’s actions, suggesting they reflect guilt. In a light-hearted exchange, a reporter inquired if Biden had left a note, to which Trump discovered an envelope and jokingly proposed reading it together, although he ultimately refrained from opening it, adding a wave of humor to the day’s proceedings.
