Donald J. Trump was sworn into office on Monday, January 20, 2025 as the United States’s 47th president, marking a political comeback following multiple felony convictions. In his inauguration speech, President Trump began the speech by promising the start of “The Golden Age of America,” in which he implied that the nation’s “sovereignty” and security will be restored upon his swearing in, explicitly criticizing the previous administration. His direct promises of a country that is “proud, prosperous, and free” were highlighted in his speech.
In his speech, Trump promised he would sign executive orders related to deportations, energy, and tariffs quickly. One of his predominant promises in the address was to close the Southern border and hinder immigration efforts at the United States’ southern border, and he used his power to declare the border situation a “national emergency.” He plans to send federal troops to the southern border to enforce the national emergency, and to reinstate his “Remain in Mexico” policy he implemented in his first presidency. In the speech, Trump primarily focused on his plans for the southern border, and did not specifically mention plans for the northern border of the country.
Just hours after his swearing in, the Trump Administration was already facing a serious legal battle over the decision to shut down a border app, CBP One. CBP One allows for an appointment process that legally admits 1450 migrants seeking asylum a day to the United States. The app was turned off minutes after Trump was sworn in, and Border Patrol suspects that the illegal entry of migrants will surge after this border shutdown, CNN says.
In his inaugural address, President Trump also discussed the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, referring to those serving jail time as “hostages.” He made several negative comments about the previous administration while outlining his plans to pardon or shorten the sentences of those convicted in relation to the January 6 events. Throughout his speech, he heavily criticized the Biden administration, implying that it failed to handle “simple domestic crises.” He emphasized his intention to address and rectify these perceived faults.
Despite his criticism of the Biden Administration and his assurance of federal change in response to domestic issues, he avoided addressing international concerns such as the war in Ukraine. Throughout his campaign, he promised a change in the way the US would respond and aid the war, yet none of it was mentioned in this speech, surprising political journalists.
Trump did recognize elements of his campaign when he promised that the federal government is set to only have two sexes – male and female – under an executive order he promised to sign shortly. Prior to his inauguration, the US government had recognized multiple gender identities. In April 2022, the State Department began offering an “X” gender marker on passports, which allowed people to select a non-binary option. This policy remained in effect until the end of the Biden Administration. This executive order of only two genders is an early step in fulfilling one of his cultural war campaign promises, CNN reports. Following his inauguration speech, President Trump immediately signed 240 executive orders to carry out promises made in the speech.
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