On January 20 of this year, Donald Trump was officially sworn in as the 47th President of the United States of America. Due to cold weather, the inauguration took place inside the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
The Ceremony and the Inaugural Address
Present at the ceremony were former U.S. Presidents still living, including Joe Biden, as well as key political figures and high-ranking foreign guests, notably Han Zheng, Vice President of China. In addition to politicians, prominent business leaders attended, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg, as well as Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok.
Shortly before the ceremony, Biden signed an order pardoning members of his family, which — given the absence of any ongoing criminal proceedings against them — effectively guarantees them legal immunity in the future. Biden also wrote a letter to Trump but did not disclose its contents. “That’s between Trump and me”, he said.
Trump took the oath of office together with Vice President J.D. Vance, and the ceremonial atmosphere, replete with symbolic details, imbued the event with historical significance. In his inaugural address, Trump proclaimed the start of a “Golden Age of America”. He stated that his mission is to restore the nation’s greatness and improve the welfare of its citizens.
In the economic domain, Trump emphasized the need for an “industrial renaissance”, announcing the “Revival of America” program. This initiative aims to support domestic manufacturing, reduce the tax burden on businesses, and eliminate bureaucratic barriers. In addition, he promised to strengthen protectionist measures, including higher tariffs on imports, especially from China.
Trump expressed confidence that America must once again become the world leader in innovation, industry, and technology. He also confirmed his intention to complete the construction of the wall on the Mexican border to “put a permanent stop to illegal immigration”. As part of his stricter immigration policy, he promised to impose sanctions on employers hiring undocumented migrants and to implement a new merit-based immigration system focused on the economic contributions of immigrants. In addition, a program was announced to deport undocumented migrants with criminal records, which, he said, would improve public safety. Mexican drug cartels would be designated as terrorist organizations, enabling the use of regular military units against them.
In terms of foreign policy, Trump stated that the United States would seek peace and cooperation, while firmly defending its national interests. He underscored that America would not intervene in conflicts unrelated to its direct interests and would focus on bolstering the economy and defense capabilities. His statements on regaining U.S. control over the Panama Canal have drawn significant attention. Trump argued that America’s handover of control to Panama in 1999 was ill-advised.
Amid ongoing debates on gender identity, Trump declared that gender would be defined solely as male or female, which he said reflects biological reality. Moreover, his speech dedicated considerable attention to issues of freedom of speech and government censorship, especially in the context of digital platforms. Responding to criticism of the government’s control over the internet, Trump pledged decisive measures to lift state censorship and protect citizens’ right to freely express their opinions. In doing so, he effectively signaled his intent to deliver a powerful blow to the ideological platform of the Democratic Party, forcing it into a defensive position and prompting substantial reforms.
First Day of the Presidency
On his first day in the White House, Trump took a number of decisive steps, overturning 78 executive orders and memoranda from the Biden administration. Among other actions, he granted pardons to most of those charged in connection with the storming of the Capitol in January 2021. Trump also signed an executive order extending TikTok’s permission to operate in the United States for an additional 75 days and announced the country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization and the Paris Agreement on climate change. The justification offered was a loss of trust in international organizations, which may weaken the U.S. position as a global leader.
Consistent with promises made in his inaugural address, Trump signed an order directing the start of the process to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “American Gulf”. He also signed orders tightening the requirements for obtaining U.S. citizenship and strengthening measures against unlawful entry across the southern border. In the field of energy, Trump reaffirmed his intention to increase oil and gas production by opening new drilling sites and declared plans to introduce a state of emergency in the energy sector to boost domestic production, reflecting his emphasis on energy independence and economic growth. Trump also announced plans to reform government institutions, including the Federal Reserve System, which could lead to changes in the fundamental foundations of American governance and the economy.
Although the Russia–Ukraine issue was not listed among his main priorities, Trump’s position on this matter remains significant. He stated that President Zelensky is prepared to make a “deal” with Russia, but noted the uncertainty of President Putin’s stance. At the same time, he suspended all foreign aid processes, including aid to Ukraine, in order to evaluate their effectiveness in light of U.S. national interests.
In addition, Trump announced the launch of the largest technological project in history — the development of artificial intelligence (AI) — with a budget of $500 billion allocated for the creation of a supercomputer and data processing center in Texas. To this end, Trump revoked Biden’s 2023 executive order that had restricted AI development for “safety” reasons. By doing so, he made clear that his administration aims to secure U.S. technological leadership in the global arena.
Trump’s immediate priority is forming his Cabinet. The U.S. Senate is currently holding hearings for nominees proposed by Trump for various posts. On Inauguration Day, the Senate approved Marco Rubio as Secretary of State by a majority vote. On his first day in office, Trump established a Department for Enhancing Government Efficiency headed by Elon Musk, who will serve under presidential authority at the White House.
Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration symbolizes the ongoing transformation of American politics. The return to power of a leader known for his unconventional approach has raised numerous questions about the future of the United States and its role on the world stage. The long-term effects of the initiatives he has announced will depend on how they are carried out. If the administration manages to balance its actions without undermining democratic principles or minority rights, it could help strengthen public confidence in the political system. Otherwise, the radicalization of rhetoric and policies risks exacerbating social tensions.
