Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, reclaiming the White House after a contentious and historic election. In his inaugural address, delivered in the Capitol Rotunda, Trump outlined an ambitious and divisive agenda, pledging sweeping reforms on immigration, energy, and governance while casting his victory as a repudiation of his predecessor, Joe Biden.

"My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal," Trump declared, referring to what he called the failures of the Biden administration. "From this moment on, America's decline is over."

The speech, which oscillated between combative and optimistic tones, laid out Trump's vision for a second term that he promised would bring "a thrilling new era of national success." The president's plans include signing a barrage of executive orders, with immigration reform and border security taking center stage.

Aggressive Immigration Measures

Trump wasted no time announcing a national emergency at the southern border, pledging to halt illegal immigration and deport "millions and millions" of undocumented individuals. He also vowed to reinstate the controversial "Remain in Mexico" policy, which forces asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are processed in the U.S.

"All illegal entry will immediately be halted," Trump said, emphasizing the use of military forces to secure the border. He also reiterated plans to designate drug-trafficking cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to detain and deport individuals associated with such groups.

Critics were quick to point out that many of these policies, including the termination of birthright citizenship and the broad deportation plans, could face significant legal challenges. Human rights advocates also warned that the measures risk fracturing families and communities.

Nationalism and Expansionist Rhetoric

In a controversial segment of his speech, Trump revived themes of American expansionism, pledging to reclaim the Panama Canal and renaming geographic landmarks, such as the Gulf of Mexico, which he proposed to call the "Gulf of America." He also hinted at pursuing "manifest destiny" into space by launching American astronauts to Mars.

"The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation, one that increases our wealth, expands our territory, builds our cities, and carries our flag into new and beautiful horizons," Trump said.

Economic and Cultural Policies

Trump framed his economic plan as one focused on restoring prosperity through tariffs, deregulation, and energy independence. He announced plans to rescind the Green New Deal and the electric vehicle mandate, as well as expand drilling and fracking across the U.S.

On cultural issues, Trump reaffirmed his intention to dismantle diversity and inclusion programs, vowing to create a "color-blind and merit-based society." He also declared that the U.S. government would officially recognize only two genders, male and female, a promise he made during his campaign.

Response to Biden's Preemptive Pardons

Hours before Trump's inauguration, outgoing President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to figures who had been frequent targets of Trump's ire, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, and members of the House Select Committee on January 6. The move was widely seen as an attempt to shield them from potential legal action under the Trump administration.

Biden defended the pardons, stating, "Our nation relies on dedicated, selfless public servants every day. They are the lifeblood of our democracy." However, he emphasized that the pardons did not imply guilt.

Trump dismissed the pardons in his speech, reiterating his promise to end the "weaponization of the Justice Department" and accusing the previous administration of corruption.

Settling Scores and Rebuilding His Base

Throughout his address, Trump framed himself as a victim of a corrupt establishment, referencing legal challenges and an assassination attempt he survived during his campaign. "They tried to take my freedom and, indeed, to take my life," he said. "I was saved by God to make America great again."

Trump also thanked Black and Latino voters, touting his improved electoral performance with these groups in the 2024 election. "To the Black and Hispanic communities, thank you for the trust and love you gave to me," he said.

Polarizing Reactions

While Trump described himself as a "peacemaker and unifier," his rhetoric drew mixed reactions. Democratic leaders, including Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, appeared stony-faced during much of the speech, rising only for mentions of bipartisan achievements. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was seen shaking her head in disbelief when Trump proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico.

Political analysts, including Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher, characterized the address as "very dark" and focused on "settling scores." Others saw it as a continuation of Trump's polarizing style, aimed at energizing his base.