Breaking: Trump Takes Oath as 47th US President at Capitol

Donald Trump made history when he took the presidential oath of office inside the Capitol Rotunda. This marked the first indoor inauguration ceremony in 40 years and established him as the 47th President of the United States. The bitter cold weather in Washington, DC forced officials to move the noon ceremony indoors. Trump delivered a hopeful 30-minute inaugural address and proclaimed “the golden age of America begins right now.” The capital witnessed extraordinary security arrangements with over 25,000 law enforcement and military personnel stationed strategically. Trump’s administration plans to implement roughly 200 executive actions immediately that will reshape policies on immigration, energy, and trade.

Historic Indoor Ceremony at Capitol Rotunda

Frigid temperatures hit Washington D.C. with highs of 26 degrees and lows of 16 degrees Fahrenheit. Officials moved the presidential inauguration indoors. The U.S. Capitol Rotunda became the venue for this rare indoor ceremony, and its circular chamber displayed historic statues and paintings.

First indoor inauguration since 1985

Ronald Reagan’s second oath of office marked the last indoor inauguration in 1985. Dangerous wind chill factors that reached minus 10 to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit forced this change. The historical records show only three other presidential inaugurations held indoors – James Monroe’s second inauguration in 1821, William Howard Taft’s in 1909, and Reagan’s second term ceremony.

Significance of venue change

Moving indoors changed the traditional inauguration format by a lot. The usual crowd of hundreds of thousands became a more intimate gathering in the Rotunda. Dr. William Thornton’s 1793 design features curved sandstone walls divided by Doric pilasters and olive branch wreaths. The space’s massive paintings show pivotal moments in American history, including the Declaration of Independence’s signing.

Notable attendees and dignitaries

The scaled-down ceremony drew an elite gathering of American political figures and international leaders. All but one of these former presidents – Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden – came with their spouses. U.S. history marked its first inauguration with foreign leaders. Argentina’s President Javier Milei and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni joined as distinguished guests. Tech executives stood near the podium:

• Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Tesla’s Elon Musk, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and Google’s Sundar Pichai

Nine Supreme Court justices attended the ceremony alongside former Vice Presidents Mike Pence and Dan Quayle, with Trump’s proposed Cabinet members present.

Trump’s Vision for Second Term

President Trump outlined an ambitious vision for his second term during his inaugural address. He declared “the golden age of America begins right now”. His speech laid out sweeping policy changes and immediate actions planned for his administration.

Key points from inaugural address

Trump promised to create a “nation that is proud, prosperous and free” while emphasizing national sovereignty and domestic priorities. He positioned himself as both “a peacemaker and a unifier” and tackled what he saw as challenges in government operations. The current leadership was “incompetent and corrupt”, he stated, as he pledged rapid changes across multiple policy areas.

Policy priorities announced

The administration’s plans include several vital sectors. Trump revealed his intention to boost domestic oil production and bring complete immigration reforms. New trade policies would soon follow. On top of that, he shared plans to “pursue policy that expands our territory”, with ambitious space exploration goals targeting Mars. Border security improvements and modified international trade relationships through targeted tariffs would help “to enrich our citizens”.

Immediate executive actions planned

The core team has prepared about 200 executive orders ready to roll out. These actions will target:

• Declaring a national emergency at the southern border
• Creating an External Revenue Service for tariff collection
• Ending federal diversity programs
• Rescinding climate-related regulations
• Implementing new immigration enforcement measures

Trump headed to the Capitol Visitor Center after the address to thank his supporters. He emphasized that his “actions would speak louder than any words”. His vision marks a radical alteration in federal policy direction, backed by immediate implementation plans through executive authority.

Constitutional Tradition Upheld

The presidential oath-taking tradition stands as a testament to American democracy’s strength. Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the 35-word constitutional pledge.

Peaceful transfer of power

America’s long-standing tradition of peaceful transitions marked another milestone in history. The event showed the nation’s dedication to democratic principles when all three government branches gathered at the Capitol. This peaceful change stands in stark contrast to the chaotic transitions many other nations experience. American democracy’s fundamental strength shines through this orderly transfer of executive power.

Role of Chief Justice Roberts

Chief Justice Roberts has administered five presidential oaths with precision. His role goes beyond ceremony – he represents the judicial branch’s vital participation in this democratic moment. The Chief Justice’s presence reflects America’s interconnected governmental branches. The judiciary head administers the oath to the executive leader in the legislative branch’s home.

Symbolic importance of oath

The presidential oath carries deep constitutional meaning. The Constitution contains only one verbatim oath – these 35 words that include:

• “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President”
• “To the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution”

This sacred pledge dates back to George Washington’s first inauguration and reminds us of the president’s constitutional duties. The oath ceremony brings together all three government branches in a powerful moment of national unity. This time-honored tradition reinforces American democracy’s core principles.

Reactions and Responses

World leaders were quick to respond to Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th US president and shared different views about future international relations. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy praised Trump’s “peace through strength” approach and focused on potential changes in global leadership. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized the US-Israel alliance and stressed Trump’s commitment to regional security.

International leader statements

European leaders gave measured responses, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stressed defense spending priorities. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for both nations to “respect each other and co-exist peacefully”. Russian President Putin waited 36 hours before sending congratulations and acknowledged the complex state of US-Russia relations.

Market and economic effect

Financial markets reacted immediately to the transition of power. Key indicators included:

• The S&P 500 index trading 1.2% higher than election day
• The Nasdaq index rising 3.7% post-election
• US Treasury yields increasing to 4.791% from 4.286%

The dollar grew stronger against major currencies and showed a 6% increase since the election. Market experts predict economic challenges from proposed trade policies that could have a projected effect of AED 1957.14 billion on the EU economy through 2029.

Public response across nation

Americans had mixed opinions in their immediate responses to the inaugural address. A George Mason University study showed reactions ranging from “hopeful” to “concerned.” People focused on economic policies and national security. The public’s response highlighted sharp contrasts between supporters who saw the inauguration as a “much needed victory” and critics who worried about proposed policy changes.

Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President made history while honoring cherished American traditions. The Capitol Rotunda hosted this rare indoor ceremony, which showed both flexibility and respect for constitutional processes. Bad weather changed the usual format, but the ceremony gained weight from attendance by all living former presidents, foreign leaders, and tech executives.

The new administration plans bold changes in many areas. Trump promised 200 executive actions and painted a vision of “a golden age of America.” These plans point to quick shifts in immigration, energy, and international trade policies. World leaders and financial markets have responded differently – some with hope, others more cautiously.

Chief Justice Roberts administered the constitutional oath in a peaceful transfer of power that proves American democracy’s lasting strength. Heavy security and worldwide attention surrounded this transition, showing both the tests and resilience of our democratic institutions. Public opinion remains divided, and markets continue to react. Trump’s second term will likely alter American policies substantially, though we can’t yet see all the effects.