Donald Trump takes oath as 47th president of the United States
Highlights-
- Donald Trump sworn in as 47th US president
- He's pledged to sign a flurry of executive orders on Monday
- World leaders and Big Tech CEOs attended the ceremony
- The event was moved indoors because of cold weather
- Biden pre-emptively pardons Milley, Fauci and others
Donald Trump was sworn in for a historic second term as president on Monday, pledging a blitz of immediate orders on immigration and the US culture wars as he caps his extraordinary comeback.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. With one hand raised in the air and the other on a Bible given to him by his mother, the 47th US president solemnly took the oath of office beneath the huge Rotunda of the US Capitol.
Trump, 78, was a political outsider at his first inauguration in 2017 as the 45th president, but this time around he is surrounded by America's wealthy and powerful.
The world's richest man, Elon Musk, Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon chief Jeff Bezos and Google CEO Sundar Pichai all had prime seats in the Capitol alongside Trump's family and cabinet members.
While Trump refused to attend Biden's 2021 inauguration after falsely claiming electoral fraud by the Democrat, this time Biden has been keen to restore the sense of tradition.
Biden joined former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton at the Capitol. Former first ladies Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush were there but ex-first lady Michelle Obama pointedly stayed away.
Follow our live updates-
11:46pm
Trump says US will 'plant the Stars and Stripes' on Mars
US President Donald Trump vowed Monday that the world's biggest economy would again see itself as "a growing nation" that expands its territory, adding that the country would plant its flag on Mars.
"We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars," he said in his inauguration speech at the US Capitol in Washington.
AFP
11:45pm
Trump says US policy will recognize 'only two genders'
US President Donald Trump said in his inauguration speech Monday that his government's official policy would only recognize two genders, ending the current practice of providing a third gender option in some settings.
"I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life... As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female," he said.
AFP
11:43pm
Trump says to declare national emergency, use military at Mexico border
"First, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border," Trump said.
"All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came.
"I will send troops to the southern border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country," he said.
11:40pm
Official POTUS account on X has now changed to President Trump
11:38pm
Trump says US 'taking back' Panama Canal
US President Donald Trump vowed Monday in his inauguration address that the United States would be "taking back" the Panama Canal, alleging that China had gained control of the waterway.
"We didn't give it to China, we gave it to Panama. And we're taking it back," said Trump, who has previously not ruled out using military force against Panama.
AFP
11:37pm
US 'will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord': White House
President Donald Trump's administration on Monday announced the United States' intention to withdraw from the Paris climate accord for a second time, marking a defiant rejection of global efforts to combat planetary warming as catastrophic weather events intensify worldwide.
"President Trump will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord," the White House said in a statement shortly after the Republican was sworn into office.
AFP
11:20pm
Trump says will deport 'millions and millions' of 'criminal aliens'
11:15pm
Trump says 'golden age of America begins'
Donald Trump hailed the dawn of a "golden age" for the United States as he was sworn in as the country's 47th president on Monday.
"The golden age of America begins right now. From this day forward our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world," he said.
- Trump says was 'saved by God to make America great again'
- 'America's decline is over': Trump at inauguration.
- He slams 'radical and corrupt' Biden administration.
11:10pm
Introduced as the 45th and 47th president of the United States, Trump begins his speech in a remarkable moment: the first president to be defeated and then elected since Grover Cleveland.
NY Times
11:00pm
Donald Trump takes oath as 47th President of the United States
Donald John Trump completed his remarkable return to power on Monday as Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr administered the 35-word oath of office. Trump plans an immediate blitz of orders and actions meant to begin dramatically changing the course of the country.
Vice President JD Vance was sworn in first, by Justice Brett M Kavanaugh, during the ceremony inside the Capitol Rotunda, where it had been moved because of bitter cold temperatures.
10:44pm (Bangladesh time)
Biden issues pre-emptive pardons for close family members
10:43pm
Trump is here
An audience of hundreds, including members of Congress, captains of the US high tech industry and other VIPs erupted into cheers and applause as President-elect Donald Trump entered a packed Capitol Rotunda to the U.S. Marine Band's "Hail, America" march.
Reuters
10:35pm
What is the oath of office?
The Constitution of the United States spells out that "Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Reuters
10:18pm (Bangladesh time)
Trump arrives at US Capitol for inauguration
Donald Trump arrived at the US Capitol where he will be sworn in as the 47th president on Monday.
"Good morning," Trump said as he entered the Capitol accompanied by President Joe Biden. Asked how they felt, Biden responded, "Well."
10:17pm
Over a dozen senior career diplomats to step aside
President-elect Donald Trump's transition team has asked more than a dozen senior career diplomats to step down from their roles, two US officials familiar with the matter said.
One of the sources said all undersecretary and assistant secretary level officials - effectively the entire two layers of officials under the secretary of state - were asked to step down.
Reuters reported last week that the team overseeing the State Department's transition to the new administration asked three other senior career diplomats who oversee the department's workforce and internal coordination to resign from their posts.
Trump has pledged to "clean out the deep state" by firing bureaucrats he deems disloyal - the staff changes appear to be in line with a broader effort reported to seize greater control of the federal government than any modern president.
10:15pm
Some of the guests at the ceremony
Mark Zuckerberg of Meta and his wife, Priscilla Chan, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, are standing in front of Trump's Cabinet picks. It's interesting to see Chan and Sanchez there given the scarcity of seats in the Rotunda. Zuckerberg and Bezos are joined by Elon Musk, putting three of the world's richest people in prominent seats at the ceremony. The New York Times
10:00pm
Trump to declare national emergency, use military at Mexico border: incoming official
Donald Trump is to declare a national emergency at the US border with Mexico when he assumes office, an incoming administration official told reporters Monday, with the military set to have a key role.
"We are going to declare a national emergency at the border," said the official. "The Executive Order directs the military to prioritize our borders and territorial integrity."
AFP
09:58pm
Trump to end US birthright citizenship: incoming administration official
Donald Trump plans to issue executive orders as president that would end birthright citizenship in the United States and terminate the right to claim asylum, an incoming administration official told reporters Monday.
"We're going to end asylum... which creates an immediate removal process without possibility of asylum. We are then going to end birthright citizenship," the official said.
AFP
09:57pm
Trump to eliminate US federal diversity programs: incoming White House official
US President-elect Donald Trump will seek to eliminate federal government diversity programs as he takes office after his inauguration Monday, an incoming White House official told reporters.
"The Department of Treasury -- this is a little a while ago now -- included diversity training that said all white people, regardless of how woke they are, contribute to racism. So this type of funding, we're going to end at these (diversity) programs. We're going to end that," the official said.
AFP
09:45pm
Trump, Biden head to Capitol for inauguration
Donald Trump headed to his swearing-in as president for a historic second term Monday, promising a new "golden age" in the United States as the world braces for the return of his unpredictable leadership.
Trump and outgoing President Joe Biden traveled by motorcade together to the US Capitol, where the inauguration was being held indoors due to bitter cold.
Earlier, they and their spouses met for a traditional tea at the White House.
AFP
09:40pm
The first inauguration
On April 30, 1789, the United States' first president George Washington placed his hand upon a bible and publicly swore an oath. He then delivered an inaugural address to Congress.
The U.S. Constitution requires the new president to swear to faithfully execute the office and preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution.
But it says nothing about a ceremony, or an inaugural address. So what Washington did on that day set a lasting precedent.
"On inauguration day, the city was crowded with townspeople and visitors. At half past noon, Washington rode alone in the state coach from his quarters in Franklin Square to Federal Hall on the corner of Wall and Nassau Streets," the national archives website says.
After being received by Congress, Washington stepped from the chamber to the balcony, followed by Senators and Representatives.
Before a crowd of spectators, he delivered his oath and then kissed the Bible held for him by the Chancellor, who called out, "Long live George Washington, President of the United States," and a salvo of 13 cannons was discharged.
Washington then re-entered the Senate Chamber to read his address.
Reuters
09:35pm
Current pop hitmakers won't be performing at the inauguration ceremony. Instead, the program will feature two country singers — Carrie Underwood and Lee Greenwood — and an opera singer, Christopher Macchio. Here is more about them:
Carrie Underwood
Ms. Underwood, 41, is scheduled to sing "America the Beautiful" at the swearing-in. She has been a country mainstay since 2005, when her dynamic voice made her the winner on the fourth season of "American Idol." She quickly followed up with her debut album, "Some Hearts," which won her first three Grammy Awards (she has eight). Its hits included the devout "Jesus, Take the Wheel" and the best-selling single of her career, "Before He Cheats," about vandalizing the car of an unfaithful partner.
Ms. Underwood has been a consistent presence on the country charts ever since, with hits including "Country Casanova," "Blown Away" and "All-American Girl"; she has recorded duets with Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert, Randy Travis and others. In 2021 she released an album of Christian songs, "My Savior," then returned to mainstream country in 2022 with "Denim and Rhinestones." A statement said she's performing at the inauguration "in the spirit of unity and looking to the future."
Lee Greenwood
Mr. Greenwood, 82, announced his retirement in 2023 but will perform his signature song, "God Bless the U.S.A.," at the ceremony. He wrote the song in 1983; it declares, "I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free." Although Mr. Greenwood had other country hits in the 1980s, "God Bless the U.S.A." had staying power. It was heard at the closing ceremony of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and it was the Country Music Association's song of the year in 1985.
"God Bless the U.S.A." has been a Republican campaign staple since 1984, when Ronald Reagan used it at the Republican convention and rallies. Candidates have relied on it ever since, and President-elect Trump regularly used it as entrance music at his rallies. Mr. Greenwood has said he will perform it at the inauguration with the United States Marine Corps band.
Christopher Macchio
To reach the treacherous high notes of "The Star-Spangled Banner," the inauguration has engaged an operatic tenor: Mr. Macchio, 46, who studied at the Manhattan School of Music. He has not appeared at major opera houses, but he was seen in a 2011 PBS special — "BellAria: Live from Las Vegas" — and has performed at Carnegie Hall as a member of the New York Tenors, a classical crossover trio. He performed at both the 2020 and 2024 Republican conventions and made frequent appearances at Trump rallies in 2024, singing "New York, New York" at Madison Square Garden in October.
NYT
09:22pm
'Excited' Trump supporters await inauguration
Inside the sports arena in central Washington where Trump is due to appear after his swearing-in, a huge roar erupted from his supporters when images of him arriving at the White House for breakfast with the Bidens appeared on a giant screen.
Many diehard Trump followers had slept in the street in frigid conditions to make sure they were in line to get a seat for the inaugural parade at the Capital One Arena, the indoor venue where the procession has been moved to because of the freezing conditions.
Reuters
09:15pm (Bangladesh time)
Putin congratulates Trump
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Trump on taking office, hours before his inauguration.
Putin said he was open to dialogue with the new U.S. administration on Ukraine and nuclear arms.
Putin, who said he wanted to secure long-lasting peace in Ukraine rather than a short ceasefire, made the comments during a meeting of Russia's Security Council.
"We see the statements by the newly elected president of the United States and members of his team about the desire to restore direct contacts with Russia," said Putin.
"We also hear his statement about the need to do everything possible to prevent World War Three. We of course welcome this attitude and congratulate the elected president of the United States of America on taking office."
Trump said last week that he would meet Putin "very quickly" after he takes office.
09:03pm
Biden welcomes Trump to White House for courtesy visit
US President Joe Biden welcomed his successor Donald Trump to the White House for a courtesy visit on Monday, ahead of the latter's inauguration.
Accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden, the outgoing president welcomed Trump and his wife Melania, exchanging brief remarks before they walked inside the building.
08:30pm
Trump plan to deport migrants a 'disgrace', says Pope
Pope Francis has said that Donald Trump's plans to deport illegal migrants from the US would be a "disgrace" if they materialised.
Speaking to an Italian TV programme from his Vatican residence, Francis said that if the plans went ahead, Trump would make "poor wretches that don't have anything foot the bill".
"That's not right. That's not how you solve problems," he said.
Trump has promised to begin the largest expulsion of undocumented immigrants in US history soon after he takes office.
BBC
08:10pm
Bangladesh welcomes Trump as 47th US president
Bangladesh today welcomed US President-elect Donald Trump and reiterated that the two countries will work together to open new areas of cooperation as he begins a new term.
07:53pm (Bangladesh time)
Trump has arrived at St. John's Church
Trump has arrived for his first Inauguration Day event.
07:35pm
Who's at the church service?
President-elect Donald Trump will start Inauguration Day at St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington.
Trump, incoming First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will pray at the small, yellow church just across the street from Lafayette Square.
The tradition of starting the day with a private service began with President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Two of Trump's children, Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump, were photographed arriving with their families.
Some of the who's who in the crowd:
- Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson
- Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani
- Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg
- Apple CEO Tim Cook
- Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos and his girlfriend Lauren Sanchez
- Argentinian President Javier Milei
- Robert F. Kenedy Jr., Trump's choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services
- Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's choice for top U.S. intelligence chief
- Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk
- Trump nominee for Surgeon General Janette Nesheiwat
- Incoming National Security Adviser Mike Waltz
07:24pm
Trump's family arrives at St. John's Episcopal Church
07:29pm, Monday
Triumphant Trump set for return to power
Donald Trump will be sworn in for a historic second term as US president Monday, promising a new "golden age" for America as the world braces for the return of his unpredictable leadership.
Freezing weather has forced the 78-year-old's inauguration ceremony in Washington indoors, but the first hours of the most extraordinary comeback in US politics will be a blaze of activity.
The Republican vowed to unleash a blitz of executive orders undoing outgoing president Joe Biden's legacy, and to launch immediate deportations of undocumented migrants.
If Trump painted a dystopian picture of "American carnage" at his first inauguration in 2017, this time around he is offering a more upbeat promise of a "brand new day" for the United States.
"I will act with historic speed and strength and fix every single crisis facing our country," Trump told an inauguration eve rally where he danced with the Village People band.
Disclaimer: Inputs from AFP, Reuters and agencies
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