Defiant Trump Regains Power
The Wall Street Journal|January 21, 2025
New president is sworn in to cap remarkable comeback
Alex Leary
Defiant Trump Regains Power

Donald Trump completed a dramatic return to power Monday when he was sworn in as the 47th president, declaring a new "golden age," where he would move swiftly to tackle border security, target rival nations with steep tariffs and widen domestic energy production.

"I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success," Trump said after taking the oath of office at 12:02 p.m. He announced plans for a flurry of executive orders that he said would bring a "revolution of common sense."

The day's ceremonies-moved indoors because of bitter cold temperatures-were cheered on by a group of political and business elites, while Trump backers took to the streets of the nation's capital to celebrate. That created a more festive atmosphere than the first Trump inauguration, in 2017, when more people were reluctant to embrace him.

In addressing the challenges facing the nation, Trump portrayed the government as stumbling and failing, railing against illegal immigration and responses to natural disasters, effectively rebuking Joe Biden, his predecessor who ousted him in 2020. Biden, seated just feet from his rival, remained mostly expressionless.

"From this moment on, America's decline is over," Trump, a Republican, said.

This story is from the January 21, 2025 edition of The Wall Street Journal.

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This story is from the January 21, 2025 edition of The Wall Street Journal.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.