Bad weather can be seen as a blessing or curse—invigorating or isolating. While the inaugural ceremony has remained unchanged through American history, there was a slight tweak this year: the ceremony was hosted inside the Capitol Rotunda rather than outside. Below freezing temperatures in Washington D.C. mirrored the emotions of the nation—turbulent and nuanced. With the last indoor inauguration being in 1985 for President Reagan, Trump welcomes in the cold to freeze off the blue and paint the White House red.
On January 20, 2025, Donald J Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, marking the beginning of what Trump claims as the new “Golden Age of America.” The event was attended by approximately 800 guests, with notable people such as Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk. PBS stated that as Biden left the office, he left a short note to the country and the American people: “We’ve always done our best as Americans. We never, never, never give up. Ever…We’re leaving office. We’re not leaving the fight.” Back in 2021, Trump decided against showing up to Biden’s inauguration, marking him the first outgoing president to not attend since Andrew Johnson in 1869. Biden’s presence at Trump’s second inauguration demonstrates the value placed on a peaceful transition of power despite political disagreements.
Although his devoted fans were unable to gather on Capitol grounds, this didn’t prevent the MAGA supporters from congregating elsewhere. A few thousand of his supporters were found at the Capital One Arena to watch Trump’s inauguration. According to the Guardian, people flew to see this monumental moment for both Americans and Trump as this is his last election. For his supporters, this is a chance to correct the national agenda and realign with the ideals they believe were interrupted by the Biden presidency.
Carrie Underwood sang at Trump’s inauguration, bringing a momentary connection and bridging the gaps between the left and the right. While her acapella rendition of “America the Beautiful” was unplanned, it echoed throughout the Rotunda and was a symbol of simplicity during these divisive times.
Trump renamed this past Monday as “Liberation Day,” declaring his presidency as a rebirth for the nation. Trump made it very clear in his second inaugural speech that his priority is America and its image: “We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer. During every single day of the Trump administration, I will, very simply, put America first.” He says a tide washes over the nation, bringing us back into the light. As he rides his red wave, Trump ensures, “a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal and all of these many betrayals that have taken place and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and, indeed, their freedom.”
Many questioned Trump’s decision to forego placing his hand upon the Bible when being sworn into office. His wife, Melania Trump, held his personal bible and the Lincoln Bible, the very same Bible Abraham Lincoln used during his inauguration in 1865. While there is no law requiring him to place his hand atop the text, people wondered why he decided to not do so when back in 2016, Trump swore in with the Bible. Trump has shown the public countless times how dedicated he is to his faith and christianity, creating the question if this indicates a new path in his presidency.
Trump announced several executive orders this past Monday. Many of his actions aren’t shocking to his supporters as Trump has always been fervent on border policy, the economy, and strengthening the military. However, detractors fear some of his actions such as his end to the Green New Deal, limit to federal diversity initiatives, and pulling the nation out of the World Health Organization. Trump’s ideas for his presidency are vast as he pledges to get humans to Mars and to reclaim the Panama Canal. It’s hard to say now whether these are bold decisions or just divisive rhetoric.
As that Monday morning freeze came to an end, Trump’s new era was just beginning. His ambitious and aggressive start in office has the American people left wondering what these next four years will look like. Trump’s policies have historically fractionalized America, creating impassioned followers and strong dissent. Will this second term intensify these pre-set divides or finally calm the political polarization of the modern world? Only time can tell.
