To chants of “USA! USA!” in the Capitol Rotunda on Monday, January 20, Donald Trump took the oath of office to become the 47th president of the United States. Delivering his inaugural speech, the newly minted commander-in-chief made abundantly clear that in his second (and last) term, he would be taking no prisoners and dealing with no subtleties. Trump meant business.
In what must have been one of the most uncomfortable dressing-downs in political history, former President Joe Biden sat beside the podium as Trump excoriated his administration and the state of the nation under his watch. But this was just the beginning of his message to the American people.
Trump Ready for Change
“The Golden Age of America begins right now,” were the opening remarks. Striking an optimistic and hopeful pose, the president sought to crush the past and salt the earth Biden walked. He continued:
“We are confronting a crisis of trust. Our citizens have had their wealth extracted. Our government cannot manage a simple crisis at home, and stumbles into catastrophic events abroad. It fails to protect law-abiding citizens, but provide sanctuary for dangerous criminals who illegally entered. It has given unlimited funding for foreign borders, but refuses to defend American borders.”
Biden managed to keep a calm composure while former Vice President Kamal Harris attempted to cover a scowl. Watching Trump trash their four years at the helm must surely have been a bitter pill. But there was not a hint of mercy in Trump’s delivery. Whether it was trashing border policy or foreign escapades, Trump took his shots. For his supporters, it was a vindication of their beliefs, dealt out by their chosen champion.
Red Meat for the Base
In what appeared more like a State of the Union address than an inaugural speech, Trump declared that “From this moment on, America’s decline is over.” He continued by delivering a series of policy positions that echoed closely those made on the campaign trail. “I will declare a national emergency at our southern border… All illegal entry will be immediately halted,” he said. Further, he noted, “We will also be designating the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.”
Many of his statements during the address were then put into action when he signed a slew of Executive Orders, some of which were signed in front of crowds at the Capitol One Arena in Washington, DC.
Perhaps the most contentious of his orders was the pardoning or commuting of sentences imposed on the January 6 prisoners. What would likely have been the biggest furor of his first day in office was blunted by the news that with just 20 minutes to go in his presidency, Joe Biden offered pre-emptive pardons to his family members. This last-minute move blunted attacks by partisan critics who would otherwise have had a field day exclaiming that Trump was abusing the power of the presidency.
A Note on the Costumes
Beneath the words, there was a great deal of messaging taking place. President Trump opted to wear a tie that was both red and blue, giving the appearance of purple – a clear signal that he wanted to convey a sense of unity between the warring parties. Jill Biden also opted for the purple motif, perhaps suggesting an olive branch of sorts.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, on the other hand, wore all black – with Doug Emhoff sporting a black tie. It appeared to be a subtle dig and invoked a sense of mourning for either her personal loss in the November contest or a smoke signal that the nation should be saddened by the return of Trump.
First Lady Melania Trump dressed lavishly in an outfit by New York designer Adam Lippes with a wide-brimmed hat by Eric Javits.
All About the Message
While Donald Trump avoided personal attacks on regular Americans who voted against him, he was blunt and brutal in his assessment of the 46th president and his legacy. He did not talk of revenge but rather of hope and the American destiny. Certainly, half of the nation will likely be distressed that much of Biden’s four years of work is in the crosshairs, and yet, there was a lot to create excitement. Trump said:
“…each day under our administration of American patriots, we will be working to meet every crisis with dignity and power and strength. We will move with purpose and speed to bring back hope, prosperity, safety and peace for citizens of every race, religion, color and creed. For American citizens, Jan. 20, 2025, is Liberation Day.”
For those concerned that Donald Trump will use the next four years to get revenge on his political opponents, no such indication was given during his speech. Indeed, as the 17th-century English poet and priest George Herbert wrote, “Living well is the best revenge.” It seems that President Trump is going to be focused on living his best life and allowing Americans to live theirs.
