At noon today (6:00 pm Nigerian time), Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, marking his return to office after his first term from 2017 to 2021. The ceremony, which includes a formal swearing-in, musical performances, a parade, and several balls, will take place in Washington, D.C., and will be attended by numerous dignitaries, including former U.S. presidents, world leaders, and tech billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg.
Trump will be sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts, using a Bible given to him by his mother in 1955 and the historic Lincoln Bible, which was used at President Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration in 1861. Vice-President-elect J.D. Vance will also take the oath of office alongside Trump.
This momentous occasion comes after Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, securing a second non-consecutive term, a feat previously only achieved by President Grover Cleveland. Trump, at 78 years old, triumphed over Vice President Kamala Harris, after an intense electoral battle marked by legal challenges, a failed assassination attempt, and a highly charged political environment.
Notably, this is the first time in 40 years that the inauguration ceremony will be moved indoors due to extremely cold weather. The swearing-in event was originally planned for the U.S. Capitol’s steps, but has now been shifted to the Rotunda.
Trump’s return to the White House follows a period of significant legal turmoil, including multiple felony charges. Despite these challenges, he overcame fierce competition within his own party, securing the Republican nomination after defeating contenders like Governor Ron DeSantis, Ambassador Nikki Haley, and former Vice President Mike Pence.
As President, Trump has signaled an aggressive agenda, including potential mass deportations, pardons for those involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection, and a series of executive orders aimed at rolling back policies from the Biden administration. These include policies on immigration, trade, and foreign relations, with Trump expressing his intent to reshape the country according to his vision.
The inauguration ceremony will see a broad range of global figures, including former U.S. presidents George Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and the outgoing President Joe Biden, who will attend the event despite their political differences. Among the attendees is Nigerian pastor W.F. Kumuyi, marking a significant international presence.
With a Republican-controlled Congress and a conservative Supreme Court, Trump’s administration is poised to push forward a conservative agenda, aided by influential right-wing media voices. However, his leadership will face challenges from an opposition party still reeling from the bitter 2020 defeat. Trump’s return to the White House marks a new chapter in American politics, with the world watching closely as he takes office once again.
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