“From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this day forward, it’s going to be only America first. America first. Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families,” Trump said in his roughly 16-minute inauguration speech, the shortest since President Jimmy Carter’s in 1977.
Trump told Americans, “This moment is your moment. It belongs to you. It belongs to everyone gathered here today and everyone watching all across America.”
At times his speech echoed themes from his presidential campaign.
He pledged to give voice to “the forgotten men and women” and called for a return of power to the American people from the politicians in Washington.
“I will fight for you with every breath in my body, and I will never let you down,” he said.
He continued, “In America, we understand that a nation is only living as long as it is striving. We will no longer accept politicians who are all talk an no action, constantly complaining but never doing anything about it. The time for empty talk is over. Now arrives the hour of action.”
He did, however, present a bleak picture of the current state of American affairs.
“Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities, rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation. An education system flush with cash but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of all knowledge. And the crime and the gangs and the drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential. This American carnage stops right here and stops right now,” he said.
Trump closed his speech with his oft-repeated campaign slogan.
“Together we will make America strong again. We will make America wealthy again. We will make America proud again. We will make America safe again. And, yes, together, we will make America great again,” he exclaimed.
After the inauguration ceremony, the Trumps escorted the Obamas to a waiting helicopter, which will take the former president and first lady to Joint Base Andrews, where they will take a plane to Palm Springs, California.
Trump faces a divided nation that is still reeling from the long and contentious presidential race. Trump’s general election rival Hillary Clinton attended today’s ceremony and was seated just a few rows behind Trump and members of his family.
Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Immediately after his swearing-in, Trump embraced members of his family and waved to the crowd on the National Mall.
Earlier in the day Trump participated in traditional inauguration customs, such as attending a church service at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Trump chose to wear his trademark red tie, and Melania Trump donned a custom-designed Ralph Lauren sky blue cashmere mock turtleneck dress with a matching cropped cashmere jacket and long suede gloves.