Washington (Web Desk): Donald J. Trump will be sworn in for a second term as president, returning to the White House for another turbulent four-year term.
This moment caps off a remarkable political resurgence for Trump, who has endured multiple impeachment trials, a felony conviction, assassination attempts, and charges related to attempting to reverse the 2020 election results.
The ceremony will take place at noon inside the US Capitol's Rotunda, an iconic venue that holds added significance after it was breached by a mob of Trump supporters during the January 6th, 2021 attack, which was part of a failed attempt to disrupt the certification of his loss to Joe Biden.
This inauguration is noteworthy not only because of the turbulent events surrounding Trump’s political career, but also due to the extreme cold that forced the ceremony to be held indoors, the first time this has happened in four decades.
Trump, who remains a polarizing figure, is set to push forward his agenda immediately, starting with a series of executive orders on immigration, tariffs, and energy policies that he plans to sign on Day One.
Trump has made clear that he intends to extend pardons to many of those convicted in connection with the January 6 assault, promising to bring swift retribution to his perceived political enemies.
His rhetoric has continued to resonate with voters, especially those disillusioned by ongoing inflation and economic struggles.
Although he secured a popular vote victory by over 2 million votes, Trump still fell short of an outright majority, similar to his 2016 win when he lost the popular vote but claimed the Electoral College.
Now, with Republican control of both chambers of Congress, Trump's influence is strengthened.
His administration is expected to swiftly implement changes, including replacing nonpartisan civil servants with loyalists.
Even before taking office, Trump stirred controversy by meeting with foreign leaders and making headlines with musings about seizing strategic global assets, such as the Panama Canal and Greenland, while threatening to escalate trade conflicts with major US partners.
This chaotic beginning to his second term suggests more aggressive moves on both domestic and foreign fronts, likely to leave a significant mark on the political landscape.
The swearing-in of the 47th President of the United States (US) is poised to be a historic moment, marking a remarkable chapter in American political history.
The returning of Donal Trump to the White House would be a rare instance of a former president making a political comeback after losing a re-election, a feat that only one other president in US history has accomplished—Grover Cleveland, who served two non-consecutive terms in the late 19th century.
Trump’s absence from the 2021 inauguration of President Joe Biden was a significant break from tradition, as it was the first time in 150 years that a former president had refused to attend the ceremony.
His decision to not recognize the result of the 2020 election, asserting that it had been “stolen” from him, added to the tension and division of that time.
Presidential inaugurations are typically governed by tradition and law, with the ceremony itself having been held on January 20 each year since the 20th Amendment was enacted in 1933.
If the date falls on a Sunday, the event is shifted to January 21. The official proceedings begin at noon with the President and Vice President taking their oaths of office, after which a series of ceremonial events follow to mark the start of a new administration.
This ritual, which emphasizes the peaceful transition of power, is a cornerstone of the US political system, ensuring the continuity of the nation's democratic governance.