In his inaugural address on Monday, President Donald Trump reiterated various misleading claims from his previous campaign, touching on topics such as immigration, the economy, electric vehicles, and the Panama Canal. Later, during an appearance at the Capitol’s Emancipation Hall, he presented additional incorrect statements, including a misrepresentation of President Joe Biden’s pardons as he exited office. Here’s a review of the assertions made and the facts surrounding them.
**Biden Did Not Pardon 33 Murderers**
**CLAIM:** Trump stated that Biden pardoned “33 murderers, absolute murderers” and suggested that only the worst criminals receive the death sentence in the U.S.
**THE FACTS:** On December 23, Biden announced that he was commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 individuals on federal death row, converting their sentences to life imprisonment. Commutation does not equate to exoneration. Biden clarified that these commutations align with the moratorium on federal executions, except in cases related to terrorism and hate-driven mass murder. Among those spared were individuals convicted of killing police officers, military personnel, and others in violent crimes.
Three federal inmates still faced execution: Dylann Roof, responsible for the 2015 shooting at a Charleston church; Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the 2013 Boston Marathon bomber; and Robert Bowers, the perpetrator of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting in 2018.
**Trump Resurrects False Claims Regarding the 2020 Election**
**CLAIM:** Trump referred to the 2020 election as “totally rigged” during his remarks at Emancipation Hall.
**THE FACTS:** The 2020 election has been validated as fair by numerous authorities, including Trump’s former attorney general. Biden earned 306 Electoral College votes, surpassing Trump’s count of 232, and won the popular vote by over 7 million votes. Recounts in key states reaffirmed Biden’s victory, and multiple lawsuits disputing the results failed.
**Nancy Pelosi Did Not Deny National Guard Support on January 6**
**CLAIM:** Trump accused then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of rejecting an offer for 10,000 National Guard troops on January 6, alleging she was responsible for Capitol security.
**THE FACTS:** Trump has previously claimed that Pelosi declined his request for National Guard assistance. He did not issue a formal request prior to or during the riots, and the arrival of the National Guard was delayed while Pentagon officials deliberated. Christopher Miller, acting defense secretary during the incident, confirmed in a 2022 interview that no order had come from the president. In reality, both Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called for military assistance as the Capitol was under siege.
**Immigrants as a Threat is an Unsupported Assertion**
**CLAIM:** Trump stated that the U.S. government “fails to protect our magnificent, law-abiding American citizens” while providing sanctuary to dangerous criminals entering from abroad.
**THE FACTS:** There is no evidence to support the notion that other nations are deliberately sending their criminals or mentally ill individuals across the U.S. borders, a claim Trump has often reiterated during his campaign.
**Inflation Rates Misrepresented**
**CLAIM:** Trump aimed to rally support by stating he would direct his cabinet to combat “what was record inflation” in his inaugural address.
**THE FACTS:** Inflation did peak at 9.1% in June 2022 but was not indicative of Biden’s entire presidency. Historical data indicates that inflation rates have been higher, such as the over 14% rate in 1980. Prices for basic consumer goods have fluctuated significantly in recent years, influenced by various external factors including supply chain issues.
**Promises of an External Revenue Service for Tariff Collection**
**CLAIM:** Trump claimed he would create an External Revenue Service to manage tariffs and collect foreign revenues.
**THE FACTS:** Experts suggest that American consumers would likely bear most of the cost imposed by tariffs. While tariffs can influence pricing, they are not guaranteed to incentivize production in the U.S. Furthermore, many view tariffs as tools for negotiating international agreements rather than a primary means of revenue.
**Electric Vehicle Mandate Misconception**
**CLAIM:** Trump asserted he would revoke a non-existent electric vehicle mandate, claiming it would protect American autoworkers.
**THE FACTS:** The Environmental Protection Agency established strict greenhouse gas limits, but it does not impose an outright mandate on electric vehicle sales. Automakers must meet emissions targets but have flexibility in how they achieve these goals.
**Misunderstanding of the Panama Canal’s Operations**
**CLAIM:** Trump claimed that American ships were unfairly charged through the Panama Canal and suggested that China operates it.
**THE FACTS:** Panamanian officials have denied that China runs the canal. They affirmed that all transit fees are applied uniformly to all ships, including U.S. naval vessels, without any discriminatory practices. The United States built the canal in the early 1900s but relinquished control to Panama in 1999 under a treaty signed decades earlier.
