'Greater, stronger and far more exceptional': Donald Trump becomes president of the United States

Donald Trump is now President Donald Trump– the head of the state and the head of the government of the United States of America. Having completed the swearing-in ceremony and taken the oath of allegiance, he is now also the commander-in-chief of the US Armed Forces – arguably the strongest on the planet.

With one hand raised in the air and the other on a Bible given to him by his mother, Trump took the oath of office under the Rotunda of the US Capitol.

As Trump completed taking the oath, a cannon was fired as a salute, and “Hail to the Chief” was played.

A historic return

Trump’s inauguration marks a significant comeback for a political disruptor who has endured two impeachment trials and two assassination attempts.

He has also become only the second president in the history of the US to return to power after being voted out. The last time that happened was when Grover Cleveland came to power in 1893.

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Another first is Trump’s criminal record, related to paying a porn star hush money during his first presidential run– and a string of far more serious criminal probes that were dropped once he won the election in November.

Trump hails ‘Golden age of America’

Following his inauguration as the 47th president of his country, Trump, in his address, said, “The Golden Age of America begins right now[…]From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer.”

“America will soon be greater, stronger and far more exceptional than ever before.”

Trump made sweeping comments on the energy sector, immigration, and decisions his government will take on gender acknowledgements.

“First I will declare a national emergency at our southern border,” Trump said. He promised to send troops to the southern border to repel “the disastrous invasion of our country”.

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He also said that he will also declare a national energy emergency. “We will drill, baby, drill,” Trump said, adding that the Green New Deal would be ended and the electric vehicle mandate be revoked.

On gender, he noted that “it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders - male and female.”

With inputs from agencies