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HomeLocalTrump's Return: Navigating a Transformed Political Landscape

Trump’s Return: Navigating a Transformed Political Landscape

 

Donald Trump remains the same, but Washington and the world have transformed during his second term.


WASHINGTON – At midday on Monday, Donald Trump’s second inauguration mirrored his first in many respects, from his somber warnings about a nation in crisis to his pledge to reshape the U.S. economy and its global role.

 

Trump proclaimed from the U.S. Capitol, “My recent election is a mandate to completely and utterly reverse the horrible betrayals that have occurred, restoring the people’s faith, wealth, democracy, and freedom.” He characterized President Joe Biden’s administration as a “radical and corrupt establishment” that has left a grim situation in its wake. “From now on, America’s decline is finished.”

Biden sat just behind him, maintaining a serious demeanor.

However, Trump’s approach this time will differ from his first.

This difference emerged immediately as he sought to sign an array of significant and contentious executive orders. He intended to declare a national emergency at the southern border, eliminate the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship, and rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. These actions are likely to prompt legal challenges, making it clear that he views himself as on an important mission. He mentioned a “manifest destiny” of territorial expansion, claiming his administration would “take back” control of the Panama Canal, although the specifics were unclear. He even stated an ambition to “plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars.”

 

As the 47th president, Trump enters the Oval Office with greater experience and clearer goals than the inexperienced politician who was inaugurated as the 45th president eight years ago. He leads a transformed Republican Party and faces a Democrat Party that is more divided than before. Additionally, with three conservative justices he appointed during his first term, the Supreme Court now leans more favorably towards his agenda.

 

Foreign leaders, business magnates, Democratic governors, and others who initially opposed or expressed concern about Trump during his first term have shifted their tactics. Since the November election, many have sought to accommodate him and gain his favor instead of opposing him.

While Trump remains unchanged in his mission and demeanor, Washington and the global landscape have evolved.

At 78, Donald John Trump is the oldest president to take office, starting his second term with a stronger position than ever and a heightened assurance in his capacity to use that power. A president’s strong belief in a sweeping mandate can lead to significant progress but can also invite overreach.

 

Before his address, Trump’s aides suggested he would deliver a more upbeat speech than he did in January 2017. On Monday, he indeed spoke of a forthcoming “golden age” for America’s economy and international standing, yet he painted a bleak picture of the nation he’s taken over, reminiscent of the dark imagery he used following the Obama presidency when he spoke of “American carnage.”

In many respects, his second inaugural address resembled a State of the Union speech, filled with detailed plans that reflected promises made during the contentious 2024 campaign.

 

However, there were notable omissions in his speech. He did not mention the Democratic Party or offer any gestures aimed at fostering bipartisan cooperation. His reference to Biden was limited to listing him as one among several former presidents present at the ceremony.

 

Amid frigid weather, the inauguration, held inside the Capitol, was attended by all four living former presidents—Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton—as well as numerous tech billionaires who have recently expressed their support for Trump and contributed millions to his campaign: Sam Altman from OpenAI, Jeff Bezos from Amazon, Tim Cook from Apple, Sundar Pichai from Google, and Mark Zuckerberg from Meta. Shou Zi Chew from TikTok was also present, anticipating a swift resolution to Congress’s ban under Trump’s administration.

Additionally, Elon Musk, who has ties with Tesla and SpaceX, was there, highlighting his past association with Trump.

 

Steve Bannon, Trump’s top strategist during his first term, referred to these attendees as “supplicants,” indicating that their presence signified an “official surrender” to the new president.

Others are reaching out to Trump as well, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, traditionally a critic, who expressed his willingness to work with the new president, likely in pursuit of substantial federal support for the destructive wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

 

After Trump voiced his discontent over flags being flown at half-mast during the mourning period for former President Jimmy Carter, Newsom, along with Democratic governors Jared Polis of Colorado and Kathy Hochul of New York, ordered flags in California raised on the day of the new president’s inauguration.

Trump’s return to power is arguably one of the most astounding comebacks in presidential history.

When he departed the White House four years prior after a violent riot at the Capitol incited by his rhetoric, almost no one anticipated his resurgence.

 

Trump did not attend Biden’s inauguration or offer a farewell speech. A small group of loyal supporters gathered at Joint Base Andrews as he boarded Air Force One, which most believed would mark his final departure. “I will always fight for you,” he told his supporters, adding, “We will come back in some form.”

On Monday, he reaffirmed his presence: “Here I am,” he declared.