Donald Trump took the Oath of Office as the 47 President of the United States of America at a ceremony on Monday in Washington, DC.
Due to concerns about record-low temperatures and strong winds, President-elect Trump decided to hold the ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda rather than outside on the Capitol veranda, as has been the practice in recent decades. The last time the inauguration was held inside was in 1985 when Ronald Reagan took the oath of office in the Capitol Rotunda for the same reason.
Before Trump took the Oath of Office, he was proceeded by his Vice President JD Vance, who was sworn in by US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. As per tradition, the President was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts.
After taking the oath, Trump delivered his inaugural address which he opened by declaring: "The golden age of America begins right now. We will be the envy of the entire world. From the first day of the administration, I will put America first." Later he stated that "for American citizens, January 20th, 2025 is Liberation Day!"
Among other things, he pledged to "declare a national emergency on our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted and we will begin the process of returning criminal aliens to the places from which they came."
He also promised to do away with diversity, equity, and inclusion quotas stating: "We will forge a policy that is colorblind and merit-based."
Later in his address, the President mentioned the return of the Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity: "We will measure our success not only by the battles we win, but the wars that we end and the wars we never get into. My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier. I'm pleased to say that as of yesterday, the hostages are coming home to their families."
At the end of the event, faith leaders, including Yeshiva University President Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, delivered benedictions.
In his prayer, Rabbi Dr. Berman stated: "Hear the cry of the hostages, both American and Israeli, whose pain our President so acutely feels. We are so thankful for the three young women who yesterday returned home. And pray that the next four years bring peace to Israel and throughout the Middle East."
Among those invited to the ceremony are the family members of the American citizens being held hostage by Hamas as well as captivity survivors Shoshan Haran and Noa Argamani, and Liran Berman, the brother of hostages Gali and Ziv Berman.
Trump won the election in November, receiving 312 electoral votes and 49.8% of the popular vote, making him the first Republican to win the popular vote since 2004.
During his first days in office, the incoming President is expected to sign between 190-215 executive actions, concerning a wide range of issues.
In the meantime, President Joe Biden took advantage of his final day in office to issue several preemptive pardons for individuals he feared would be targeted by the incoming President.
The pardons were issued for former Rep. Liz Cheney, one of Trump's biggest opponents from the Republican Party, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley, and all members of the Congressional Committee that investigated the violent events of January 6, 2021.