(Reuters): On Monday, Donald Trump will take office as president of the United States, beginning a possibly controversial administration. Plans to enhance presidential power, deport millions of immigrants, retaliate against political opponents, and alter America's place in the world are all part of his program.
After two impeachment trials, a criminal conviction, assassination attempts, and a charge for trying to reverse his 2020 loss, Trump's inauguration marks a remarkable comeback. He was able to secure a second term in spite of these obstacles.
Due to the weather, the ceremony, which is set for midday in the Rotunda of the Capitol, is being held indoors for the first time in four decades, breaking with custom. The site decision gains historical significance due to the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach.
By pledging to pardon more than 1,500 individuals suspected of taking part in the Capitol riot, Trump—the only president to come back from a defeat since the 19th century—has demonstrated his readiness to make audacious and controversial decisions at this time.
He plans to sign several executive acts related to immigration, energy policy, and tariffs on his first day in office. Speaking at a rally in Washington, Trump reiterated his commitment to enacting strict immigration rules.
Trump is a divisive character who wants to reorganize federal institutions and reassess the partnerships the US has built to promote foreign policy since World War II. Even now, his approach is as disruptive as it was when he first came to office.
Despite not receiving a majority vote, Trump's recent electoral victory over Vice President Kamala Harris is indicative of voters' discontent with ongoing inflation. His return is reminiscent of Grover Cleveland's non-consecutive administrations in the late 19th century, which were also a time of significant change and unrest.
Presidential historian Jeremi Suri compared Trump's administration to Cleveland's, highlighting parallels in economic shifts, demographic shifts, and rising inequality. The present, in Suri's opinion, is "existential," with the US grappling with its evolving identity.
With large Republican majorities in Congress and virtually little internal party dissent, Trump's administration is off to a strong start. He intends to solidify his control by substituting loyalists for nonpartisan officials.
By engaging with world leaders and pursuing contentious proposals like reclaiming Greenland and imposing tariffs on significant trading partners, Trump made it clear before he was elected that he planned to dominate the global scene.
His involvement in mediating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas serves as another example of his combative and consistently polarizing approach to international issues. Trump had warned of severe consequences if captives were not released before his win.
His aides agree that a long-term peace agreement will take years to materialize, despite his campaign promises to put an immediate stop to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. His foreign policy objectives remain ambitious yet ambiguous.
By choosing cabinet members who hold unfavorable views on the same agency they would be leading, Trump has demonstrated that loyalty is more significant to him than experience. This is a contrast from his first term, when important positions were held by institutionalists.
Among the tech giants attending the inauguration are Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk, a vocal supporter who gave over $250 million to Trump's campaign. Their presence highlights the intersection of politics and commercial influence under the current administration.
Increased security is in place for the ceremony after a spike in political violence, which included two attempts on Trump's life. Given past terrorist-motivated actions and potential threats, federal officials remain vigilant.
With its gloomy tone and calls to halt "American carnage," Trump's prior inaugural address set the tone for his aggressive remarks. Other countries will be closely monitoring his upcoming speech for hints about his foreign policy position.
The traditional parade along Pennsylvania Avenue will instead occur indoors at the Capital One Arena, where Trump recently held a rally. He will also attend three inaugural balls later in the day, continuing the pageantry.
On his first day in office, Trump plans to sign several executive orders, including ones that will tighten immigration restrictions by declaring a border emergency between the United States and Mexico and classifying drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
Other proposed actions include lifting Biden's environmental limits and withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord. There is expected to be strong legal pushback to these activities.
Trump's felony past hangs over him as the first president to take office. However, he received a short sentence because it is hard to penalize a newly elected president.
Trump's triumph has also shielded him from prosecution for federal offenses related to his 2020 election efforts and private information, since the Justice Department prohibits prosecuting sitting presidents.
Special Counsel Jack Smith stated that there was sufficient evidence to convict Trump if the election case had gone to trial. However, Trump's victory has effectively nullified these court cases, highlighting the connection between justice and politics.
