In his inaugural address delivered on Monday, President Donald Trump reiterated multiple statements that have been widely disputed and found misleading, many of which he had made during his campaign. These remarks encompassed topics such as immigration, the economy, electric vehicles, and the history of the Panama Canal. At a subsequent event held in the Capitol’s Emancipation Hall, he made additional claims, including ones that misrepresent pardons issued by President Joe Biden at the conclusion of his presidency. Here’s a breakdown of the inaccuracies:
Trump’s assertion claiming Biden pardoned “33 murderers” is factually incorrect. Biden stated on December 23 that he had commuted the sentences of 37 individuals on federal death row, changing their sentences to life imprisonment. A commutation does not signify an exoneration of any crime committed.
Biden noted that these commutations align with the moratorium his administration has placed on federal executions, save for cases involving terrorism and mass murder rooted in hate. The commutations included individuals convicted of serious crimes, such as murder of police officers, civilians on federal property, and other violent acts. Currently, only three federal inmates are still facing execution: Dylann Roof, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, and Robert Bowers, notorious for their involvement in racially motivated mass killings.
In another instance, Trump referred to the 2020 election as being “totally rigged.” However, election officials, even those under Trump’s administration, have consistently stated that the election was conducted fairly. Biden won decisively with both an Electoral College victory of 306 votes as opposed to Trump’s 232, and by over 7 million votes in the popular election. Furthermore, recounts and various lawsuits reaffirmed Biden’s legitimate victory.
During his remarks, Trump also blamed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for rejecting an offer of 10,000 National Guard troops on January 6, 2021. Contrary to his claims, there is no evidence that Pelosi had the authority to turn down such an offer. Discussions regarding the National Guard’s presence were ongoing before the insurrection, but the order to deploy troops was mired in delays as Pentagon officials debated the situation. Christopher Miller, who was acting defense secretary at the time, confirmed that no order from the President was given.
Moreover, Trump touted another unfounded claim suggesting that the government fails to protect “law-abiding citizens” while offering sanctuary to criminals and those mentally ill who supposedly cross the borders. There’s no substantiated evidence that foreign nations are shipping their criminals to the U.S.
On the subject of inflation, Trump claimed in his inaugural speech a commitment to combat “record inflation.” Yet, inflation reached its peak of 9.1% in June 2022 after climbing significantly since Joe Biden assumed office. Historical data shows that inflation rates have been significantly higher in prior years, such as over 14% in 1980. Basic consumer goods, including a dozen eggs and gas prices, have experienced fluctuations, but these trends were influenced by multiple factors beyond presidential policy.
Trump also indicated plans to create an “External Revenue Service” to manage tariffs, claiming this would result in a substantial influx of funds into the U.S. Treasury. Economists assert that it will be American consumers who bear much of the costs associated with increased tariffs, not foreign countries.
Additionally, Trump claimed he would eliminate a supposed electric vehicle mandate to assist the auto industry and workers. However, the current regulations set by the EPA involve limits on greenhouse gas emissions; they do not mandate electric vehicle sales.
Lastly, Trump claimed that “China is operating the Panama Canal,” which has been thoroughly debunked. The canal is not under Chinese control, and Panama has denied any such claims. The fees for transit through the canal apply uniformly without favoritism, and while some Chinese companies may have operations surrounding the canal, they do not manage its functions.
In summary, many of Trump’s statements were misleading, and numerous claims lack factual support, reflecting the complexity of the issues at hand.
