On January 20, 2025, Donald J. Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, marking his return to the White House for a second non-consecutive term.
Inauguration Ceremony
The 60th presidential inauguration was held indoors at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda due to inclement weather.
The ceremony featured traditional elements, including church services and a meeting at the White House with outgoing President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
Notable attendees included tech industry leaders such as Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Sundar Pichai, as well as former presidents and political figures.
Inaugural Address
In his 30-minute inaugural address, President Trump declared, “The golden age of America begins right now.”
He emphasized his commitment to an “America First” philosophy, outlining plans to:
- Reclaim national sovereignty.
- Restore safety and justice.
- Achieve energy independence.
- Implement trade reforms.
- Establish the Department of Government Efficiency.
He also announced intentions to declare a national emergency at the southern border and to send astronauts to Mars, continuing America’s legacy of exploration.
Executive Actions
Immediately after taking office, President Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at reversing policies from the previous administration, including:
- Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Treaty.
- Ending federal remote work.
- Pardoning individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol events.
- Declaring a national emergency at the southern border to address illegal immigration.
- Reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy.
- Designating Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
- Ending Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.
- Promoting domestic energy independence to tackle inflation.
These actions underscore a return to the “America First” agenda, focusing on nationalistic policies and economic strength.
Administrative Changes
President Trump swiftly installed dozens of appointees across the federal government to align with his administration’s goals.
This included nominating Pam Bondi as Attorney General and Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. Additionally, he has been advised to dismiss holdovers from the previous administration to ensure a cohesive team.
Mission and Policy Direction
President Trump’s mission for his second term focuses on:
- National Unity: Calling for Americans to work together for the nation’s prosperity.
- Immigration Reform: Considering a more lenient approach towards child migrants, with potential pathways to citizenship for long-term residents.
- Judicial Actions: Delegating decisions regarding legal actions against political rivals to the Attorney General.
- International Relations: Emphasizing fair contributions from allied nations, particularly in organizations like NATO.
- Tech Industry Relations: Engaging with significant tech leaders, indicating a potential shift in government-tech industry relations.
President Trump’s inauguration marks the beginning of a term focused on unity, strategic administrative restructuring, and policy reforms to strengthen the nation’s socio-economic fabric. The outlined mission reflects a blend of continuity and change, addressing longstanding and emerging challenges facing the United States.
President Trump’s Tariff Warning to BRICS Nations
On January 20, 2025, during a press conference at the Oval Office, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his stance against the de-dollarization efforts of BRICS nations. He stated that any member country attempting to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar in global trade would face a 100% tariff on their exports to the United States.
BRICS and De-dollarization
Established in 2009, the BRICS consortium comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. These nations have recently explored alternatives to diminish the U.S. dollar’s dominance in international transactions. Notably, during the 15th BRICS Summit in 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin advocated for expanding the use of national currencies among member countries.
U.S. Response
President Trump’s recent statements underscore a firm U.S. position against such monetary shifts. By threatening substantial tariffs, the administration aims to deter BRICS nations from pursuing de-dollarization strategies, emphasizing the potential economic repercussions of moving away from the dollar-centric global trade framework.