Highlights of Trump’s inauguration speech
The new US President, Donald Trump, stressed after his inauguration at the Congress headquarters as President of the United States on Monday that the golden age of the United States has begun now.
Trump became the 47th president of the world’s largest power, succeeding Democrat Joe Biden, making him, (78), the oldest US president to enter the White House.
Trump swore on two Bibles, one given to him by his mother in 1955 and another by Abraham Lincoln, to protect the Constitution, in a ceremony at the Capitol, the same site that his supporters stormed on January 6, 2021, trying to prevent Congress from certifying Biden’s election victory.
“The golden age of the United States has begun now,” Trump said during his inauguration speech, adding, “From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected throughout the world,” considering that “the decline of the United States is over.”
The inauguration ceremony is usually held outdoors, but this year it was held outside the Capitol building, contrary to protocol, due to the cold wave sweeping the country.
Trump arrived at around 9:00 local time (14:00 GMT) with his wife Melania at a church near the White House to attend a religious ceremony that marks the official start of the inauguration ceremonies.
He was welcomed by Biden, who had taken an unprecedented decision in the history of political practice in the United States minutes before leaving office.
He issued an early pardon to members of his family who could be subject to prosecution under pressure from Republicans.
In his speech, Trump discussed his work program on domestic and international issues, including security, trade, immigration, climate, foreign relations, and energy.
Trump said during his inaugural address on Capitol Hill that he would deport “millions of criminal aliens” living illegally in the United States.
“First, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border,” he said.
“We’ll stop all illegal entry and begin the process of sending millions of criminal aliens back to where they came from.”
Trump said the United States would regain US control over the Panama Canal, stressing that “the intent of our agreement and the spirit of our treaty have been completely violated.”
“We were treated very badly by this gift,” Trump said in a speech after taking the oath of office, which “should never have been given… The promise that Panama made to us wasn’t kept.”
“The intent and spirit of our agreement have been completely violated,” the US president added.
“American ships are being dangerously overtaxed and not treated fairly, including the US Navy,” he added.
He stressed that China had taken control of this vital waterway, and explained, “We didn’t give it to China… We gave it to Panama… And we’re going to take it back.” Trump has previously not ruled out using force against Panama.
Before returning to power, Trump repeatedly said he wanted to restore the Panama Canal, which the United States built and opened in 1914.
The 47th US President announced that official US policy would recognize only “male and female sexes.”
“Starting today, it will be the official policy of the United States government to recognize only two genders, male and female,” Trump, whose team has promised to issue decrees to stop federal aid to transgender people, announced.
Trump, who just launched his own digital currency that will double his personal wealth, intends to combat the transgender craze and school programs to raise awareness of racism.
On trade, Trump has pledged to revamp the US trading system, promising to impose tariffs and taxes on countries to support Americans.
“I’ll immediately begin reforming our trade system to protect American workers and families,” he said in his inaugural address.
“Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens.”
Trump said he would immediately declare a national emergency in the energy sector, and promised to build up strategic reserves and export energy around the world.
“We’ll become a rich nation again, and this liquid gold beneath our feet will help us do that,” Trump added.
The Trump administration has revealed that the United States wants to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement for a second time, in a rejection of international efforts to combat global warming as weather disasters multiply around the world.
“President Trump will withdraw from the Paris climate agreement,” the White House said in a statement shortly after Trump was sworn in.
Trump intends to implement sharp cuts in public spending, and he has chosen as his advisor in this area the billionaire businessman Elon Musk, who has become a pivotal figure in the new administration.
He also pledged to pardon convicted Capitol attackers, lift environmental protection measures to boost oil production, and tighten customs duties.
During his campaign, he said he would end the war in Ukraine.
