I was saved by God to make America great again, says Trump as he vows ‘new golden age’ at inauguration
DONALD Trump declared “I was saved by God to make America great again” — as he was sworn in as US President for a second time yesterday.
And he laid out a barnstorming barrage of policies within minutes of taking office, in a show of power in sub-zero Washington DC.
Republican Trump survived an assassination attempt at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last July, in which a sniper’s bullet tore through his ear.
And he said in his inaugural address yesterday: “I was saved by God for a reason — I was saved by God to make America great again.
“The golden age of America begins right now. From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected. I will, very simply, put America first.
“Our sovereignty will be reclaimed, our safety will be restored, the scales of justice will be rebalanced.”
Ousted Democrat ex-President Joe Biden and former Vice-President Kamala Harris winced in the background as the new President pledged a return to “common sense” and an end to wokery and political correctness.
Trump said: “Our top priority will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous and free. America will soon be greater, stronger, and far more exceptional than ever before.
“Sunlight is pouring over the entire world and America has the chance to seize this opportunity like never before,
“From this moment on, America’s decline is over.”
He thanked black and Hispanic voters who helped return him to power. And he pledged to kick out criminal migrants he said were a blight on the nation.
The President pledged: “We will forge a society that is colour blind and merit-based, with only two genders — male and female.”
Cries of “USA!, USA!” erupted around the Capitol Chamber amid applause as he laid out his agenda.
JD Vance was also cheered as he was sworn in as Vice-President, flanked by his wife Usha and their three young children.
But past Democrat presidents and political enemies shuffled uncomfortably in their seats throughout the lengthy address.
Sunlight is pouring over the entire world and America has the chance to seize this opportunity like never before, from this moment on, America’s decline is over
President Trump
Just four years ago, former US Apprentice TV star Trump looked finished and faced prosecution over the Capitol riots — when his supporters stormed the centre of power buoyed by his refusal to concede defeat.
He went on to face a raft of criminal and civil prosecutions, became a convicted felon and survived last year’s assassination attempt.
But his emphatic defeat of Democrat Kamala Harris in November thrust him back to the pinnacle of world power yesterday.
And he has vowed to change the face of American society overnight, with a 200-strong list of executive orders designed to end wokery and also crack down on illegal migration into the US, among a raft of other issues.
Trump’s older children Don Jr, 47, Ivanka, 43, Eric, 41 and Tiffany, 31, took centre stage at yesterday’s ceremony — but were dwarfed by his 6ft 9in youngest son, Barron, 18.
But it was not all plain sailing, as Trump had to pull up short from kissing wife Melania before the swearing in, after being blocked by her stylish wide-brimmed hat.
Republican Trump, 78, was greeted with the words “welcome home” by ousted Democrat Joe Biden, 82, on the steps of the White House, despite their mutual loathing. Four years ago, Trump denied Biden the same courtesy as the reins of power were handed over.
Side-by-side with Biden
Biden maintained his dignity, despite Trump campaign jibes and pledges to kick “Sleepy Joe” out of his White House “care home”.
The conversation between the pair remained private as Trump and Melania, 54, took tea with Biden and his wife Jill, 73.
The two men — as dictated by tradition, but again ignored when Trump claimed he was cheated of power four years ago — were driven to the swearing-in together.
The pair sat side-by-side and chatted in the huge, armoured presidential stretch limousine, dubbed The Beast.
Crowds were sparse along Pennsylvania Avenue as the motorcade journeyed to the domed Capitol.
I was here on January 6 in 2021. That was a stolen election by the FBI and CIA to set the patriots up. We have to celebrate our victory because we have been terrorised for the last four years in this country
Trump supporter
A last-minute change of plans on Friday moved the inauguration indoors due to wind-chilled temperatures of -13C (8.6F).
Notable attendees included former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Tesla and X billionaire Elon Musk, AI billionaires Sam Altman and Alexandr Wang and YouTube influencer brothers Logan and Jake Paul.
The worlds of sport and showbiz were represented by famous names including mixed martial artist and boxer Conor McGregor and comedian and podcaster Theo Von.
Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Google’s Sundar Pichai and Apple’s Tim Cook attended, reflecting the rising power of tech titans under Trump.
They were given prime seats to watch the inauguration — while state governors were relegated to the Emancipation Hall overflow viewing room.
Trump supporters watching on TV screens at a Hard Rock Cafe near the Capitol cheered Musk as he appeared. Democrat ex-Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and Republican former President George W. Bush were also there for the swearing in.
Almost a quarter of a million people had tickets to the inauguration before it was moved indoors in front of a much smaller crowd.
Supporters who still tried to get to Pennsylvania Avenue to see Trump drive by were screened by security checks.
Merchandise hawkers were out in force on the streets. A £24 thick gold chain carrying a chunky effigy of the incoming President decked out in his trademark red MAGA hat was among the most popular items on offer.
Trump supporter Tory Sletten, 48, a mortgage broker from Tampa, Florida, said: “I was here on January 6 in 2021. That was a stolen election by the FBI and CIA to set the patriots up.
“We have to celebrate our victory because we have been terrorised for the last four years.
“I love Donald Trump, but I turned against him — then came right back when his home got raided by the FBI.”
JOE FAMILY PARDON
By Nick Parker
OUTGOING president Joe Biden used the dying minutes of his time in office to pardon his own family.
He announced preemptive pardons for his brothers, sister, and their spouses to guard against possible prosecutions by Donald Trump, who has made corruption allegations.
Mr Biden said the pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment of any wrongdoing and said: “My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me. Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end.”
He also granted clemency to Trump’s former Covid chief Anthony Fauci and the committee who investigated the 2021 Capitol riots.