In his inaugural speech, President Donald Trump proclaimed, “America’s decline is over,” signaling a decisive shift from the previous administration’s policies. He delivered a scathing critique of Joe Biden’s leadership, without naming him directly, and focused on issues like immigration and recent natural disasters, including a devastating hurricane in North Carolina and wildfires in Los Angeles. Trump described his 2024 election victory as a mandate to reverse betrayals and restore faith, wealth, democracy, and freedom to the American people. He painted a dire picture of the state of the nation under Biden, echoing themes from his campaign trail, and emphasized that America’s decline was now over.
Trump outlined a bold agenda for his first day in office, starting with executive actions to declare national emergencies. His plan included a national energy emergency aimed at ramping up domestic energy production with his trademark phrase, “drill, baby, drill”. He also vowed to send troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to combat what he described as a disastrous invasion, reinstate his “Remain in Mexico” policy, and end the controversial catch and release practice. His goal was to immediately begin the restoration of America and bring about a revolution of common sense in governance.
Trump also targeted the federal government’s emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, promising to dismantle these programs and end what he called the social engineering of race and gender in both public and private life. He proposed creating a merit-based, colorblind society where opportunities were based solely on ability, not identity.
Expanding further into the culture wars, Trump announced that under his leadership, the official stance of the United States would be that there are only two genders—male and female. He also emphasized his legacy as a peacemaker and unifier, taking credit for the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and the successful hostage deal that had been reached just a day before his inauguration. Trump positioned himself as a leader who seeks to end wars and, perhaps most importantly, avoid conflicts that could arise in the future.
Trump also laid out plans for an expansionist vision for the country, highlighting his goal of gaining control of the Panama Canal. He accused China of unfair practices in the management of the canal, asserting that it should be under American control, as it was originally given to Panama, not China. He reiterated his intention to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, emphasizing his desire to assert American dominance in global affairs.
Throughout the speech, Trump didn’t shy away from referencing his personal legal battles, including his convictions and multiple indictments. He declared that under his leadership, the immense power of the state would never again be used to persecute political opponents, a stance he claimed to know firsthand due to his own legal struggles. He also referred to an assassination attempt on his life in Pennsylvania, saying that he believed his survival was a sign that he was chosen by God to Make America Great Again.
Trump celebrated his historic comeback to the White House, noting that he was only the second president in U.S. history, after Grover Cleveland, to win a non-consecutive second term. He also pointed out that he was the first convicted felon to assume the office of president, further emphasizing the uniqueness of his return. “Many people thought it was impossible for me to stage such a historic political comeback. But as you see today, here I am, the American people have spoken,” Trump declared triumphantly.
