BREAKING: Donald Trump sworn in for historic second term as US President

Donald Trump was sworn in on Monday as the 47th President of the United States, pledging to take immediate action on immigration and cultural issues while reversing the policies of his predecessor, Joe Biden.

Trump, 78, took the oath of office beneath the Rotunda of the US Capitol, marking the first indoor inauguration since 1985 due to the frigid weather.

He placed one hand on a Bible gifted by his mother during the ceremony, which was attended by prominent figures from both the United States and abroad.

The inauguration restored a sense of tradition absent during Biden’s swearing-in in 2021.

Trump and Biden, along with their spouses, traveled together to the Capitol and met earlier at the White House for a customary tea.

As Biden greeted Trump at the door of the presidential residence, he reportedly said, “Welcome home.”

Trump’s inauguration was attended by former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. Former first ladies Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush were present, though Michelle Obama notably did not attend.

In addition to American political figures, the event drew international leaders such as Argentina’s hard-right President Javier Milei and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, along with billionaires Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Sundar Pichai. Musk, who funded Trump’s campaign, is expected to take a leading role in cutting costs under the new administration.

During his first day in office, Trump planned to sign nearly 100 executive orders to reverse Biden’s policies.

These include declaring a national emergency at the Mexican border, assigning military forces to enforce border security, ending birthright citizenship, initiating deportations of undocumented migrants, eliminating diversity programs in federal government, and limiting government recognition to only two biological sexes.

Speaking at an inauguration-eve rally, Trump promised a “brand new day” for America, vowing to act with “historic speed and strength” to resolve the country’s crises.

Outgoing President Joe Biden issued several pardons in his final hours, including for his siblings and individuals connected to the January 6 Capitol riots, as well as former COVID-19 advisor Anthony Fauci and retired General Mark Milley.

He also left a private letter for Trump, continuing a long-standing tradition between outgoing and incoming presidents.

Trump’s return to the presidency marks him as the second US president, after Grover Cleveland in 1893, to reclaim office after losing re-election.

He is also the oldest president to take the oath of office and the first with a criminal record, stemming from his first-term scandals.

Trump’s inauguration signals the start of a presidency likely to disrupt the global order. His proposed policies include imposing sweeping tariffs, re-evaluating US aid to Ukraine, and making controversial territorial claims.

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Trump and expressed willingness to engage in peace talks on the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing hopes for a settlement that ensures “lasting peace.”