Donald Trump made history on Monday by returning to the White House as the 47th president of the United States after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. This marks Trump’s second non-consecutive term as president, a feat only achieved by Grover Cleveland in 1893.
Trump’s journey to the White House was marred by controversy, including impeachments, criminal indictments and false claims of widespread electoral fraud.
Joe and Jill Biden welcomed Donald and Melania Trump to the White House ahead of the swearing-in.
Representing India, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the event.
Due to the frigid weather conditions, Trump's inauguration was moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda. It is the first time in 40 years, that the ceremony has been moved indoors.
Also read | As Donald Trump returns to the White House, here is what he promised to do on day 1
Trump is expected to sign over 50 executive orders on day 1 after assuming charge. Crackdown on immigrants, increase fossil fuel development and reduce civil service protections for government workers are some of the executive orders prepared for Trump's signature.
According to excerpts of his inaugural address, he plans to declare the beginning of a thrilling new era of national success as a tide of change is sweeping the country.
The executive orders are the first step in what Trump will call the complete “restoration of America and the revolution of common sense.”
Trump will be the first person convicted of a felony for falsifying business records related to hush money payments to serve as president.
Hours before the inauguration, outgoing President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to current and former government officials who have been the target of Trump's anger. Biden’s big move shields former Covid-19 adviser Anthony Fauci, retired General Mark Milley and members of the House Committee, who investigated the Capitol attack in 2021 from the possibility of prosecution.
In a statement, Biden said, “These are exceptional circumstances, I cannot in good conscience do nothing.”
At the Capitol, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance was sworn in first, taking the oath read by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on a bible given to him by his great-grandmother. Later Trump was sworn in, using both a family bible and the one used by President Abraham Lincoln at his 1861 inauguration as Chief Justice John Roberts administers his oath.
The inaugural celebrations began on Saturday when Trump arrived in Washington leaving his home in Florida. On Sunday, he laid a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery and rallied his supporters at Washington's downtown Capital One Arena.
Tech giants and billionaires including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos attended the ceremony.
