The 47th President took the oath of office at the US Capitol to “preserve, protect, and defend” the US Constitution.
Donald Trump promised a new “golden age” for the United States as he took the oath of office for a historic second term on Monday, but he spent the most of his somber inaugural speech pushing strong measures to reverse what he called “American decline.”
In his frequently controversial speech, the 47th president addressed illegal immigration and the cultural wars, capping the most extraordinary electoral comeback in US history.
“America’s golden age begins today. “From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected all over the world,” Trump declared during his inauguration in the United States Capitol, which was conducted indoors for the first time in decades due to frigid weather.
The Republican also mentioned the assassin’s gunshot that grazed him at a rally during his successful election campaign, stating, “I was saved by God to make America great again.”
While pledging rejuvenation, Trump severely condemned what he called a “betrayal” of Americans by the “radical and corrupt establishment” of departing President Joe Biden.
“America’s decline is over,” Trump declared.
Biden, who had previously visited Trump and his wife Melania for tea at the White House, sat stone-faced as his political rival read the last rites for his single time in office.
Trump also laid out his foreign policy stance, claiming to be a “peacemaker and unifier” before announcing that the US was “taking back” the Panama Canal and warned that trade wars will be used liberally.
He also promised to “plant the stars and stripes” on the planet Mars.