Donald Trump took the oath of office to become the 47th President of the United States in a ceremony held at the Capitol Rotunda. This inauguration marks a remarkable political comeback for Trump, who had previously been convicted of several felonies. The event also ushers in a new era of political challenges and a divided nation eager to see what the future holds.
The inauguration follows a turbulent period in U.S. history, marked by the January 6 Capitol riot. In response, the Justice Department and FBI initiated a nationwide manhunt to identify and arrest those involved. To date, about 55% of the January 6 prosecutions are misdemeanor cases, involving charges such as disorderly conduct or trespassing. Approximately 1,100 convicted rioters have already faced sentencing, with about 700 having completed their prison terms or receiving probation.
Prosecutors have charged over 1,580 people related to the Capitol riot, securing around 1,270 convictions while about 300 cases remain pending. These legal proceedings underscore the ongoing tensions surrounding Trump's presidency and his supporters' actions.
In his inaugural address, Trump announced a vision for America, stating:
"A tide of change is sweeping the country."
"The golden age of America begins right now."
"We will not be intimidated. We will not be broken and we will not fail."
Trump's rhetoric has reignited conversations about national and international issues, including his claim that China is "operating" the Panama Canal. Panama's President José Raúl Mulino firmly rejected Trump's assertion, emphasizing:
"The Canal is and will continue to be Panama's and its administration will continue to be under Panamanian control with respect to its permanent neutrality."
"There is no presence of any nation in the world that interferes with our administration."
The political landscape continues to shift as Mike Waltz, a Republican from Florida, resigned from the House to serve as Trump's national security adviser. His resignation narrows the Republican majority even further.
Meanwhile, former President Joe Biden offered a subdued reaction to Trump's inauguration:
"We got a lot more to do."
Supporters of Trump have gathered at Capital One Arena in Washington for a victory party celebrating his return to power. However, opposition voices like Kierán Suckling vow resistance:
"We will fight him at every step."
Environmental advocates are also preparing for renewed battles over climate policy. Kyle Tisdel stated:
"We had great success defending communities and setting critical legal precedent on climate during the first Trump administration."
"We'll continue to fight for climate justice and a livable planet regardless of what comes our way over the next four years."
