On Monday, Donald Trump marked one of the most remarkable political comebacks in U.S. history, assuming office as the 47th president with greater popularity and power than before, just four years after leaving Washington on a disappointing note.

“I return to the presidency filled with confidence and optimism that we are beginning an exciting new chapter of national success,” Trump stated. “A wave of transformation is sweeping across the nation.”

He referenced his surprising return to the White House and the tumultuous 2024 presidential campaign, characterized by an assassination attempt, numerous legal challenges, and President Joe Biden’s exit from the race.

He is anticipated to sign a series of executive orders aimed at undoing many of his predecessor’s regulations and outlining his vision for the country. A primary focus will be to declare a national emergency to accelerate his pledge to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.

“Today, I will enact a set of groundbreaking executive orders. Through these measures, we will commence the complete revival of America and a return to common sense,” Trump announced.

The political landscape differs greatly from Trump’s swearing-in ceremony eight years ago. This time, the inauguration has shifted indoors due to frigid temperatures, disappointing supporters who traveled to Washington eager to witness the ceremony but unable to enter the Capitol Rotunda. This marks the first indoor inauguration since Ronald Reagan’s second term in 1985 when it was also extremely cold outside.

Despite the 24-degree chill, Trump’s remarks about the condition of the nation and his plans for his second term were fervent and assertive.

Here are the main highlights from today’s ceremony.

‘America’s decline is over’: Trump promotes nationalism

Unlike his inauguration speech in 2017, which emphasized the theme of “American carnage,” Trump’s approximately 30-minute address on Monday leaned towards optimism, while still boasting about his ambitions.

He expressed his desire to be “a peace-maker and a unifier,” which he explained would be judged, “not just by the battles we win, but also by the wars we conclude, and notably, the conflicts we avoid.”

Among his list of conservative goals, the most notable was a commitment to reforming the immigration system by declaring a national emergency and deploying troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.

“All illegal entries will come to a complete stop, and we will start the process of sending back millions of criminal aliens to their countries of origin,” Trump asserted.

His speech included other nationalistic ideologies as well, like a promise to establish a new “external revenue service,” aimed at addressing tariffs central to his foreign policy and economic strategies during the campaign.

He also called for the termination of what he referred to as an “electric vehicle mandate,” despite no federal requirement for Americans to purchase electric vehicles. Furthermore, he proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” and reclaiming control over the Panama Canal, which he has criticized for its use by China.

‘Make his dream a reality’ Trump acknowledges Black and Hispanic voters on MLK Day while criticizing DEI

Trump’s return coincided with the annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a fact that irked his liberal critics and left-leaning activists, who organized their own events honoring the civil rights icon.

He acknowledged voters of color for their crucial role in his recent victory, particularly the increased support he garnered from younger Black and Hispanic voters.

Reports indicate that about 30% of Black men under age 45 supported Trump, nearly double the figure from 2020.

However, Trump demonstrated his opposition to diversity initiatives, which his critics argue undermine King’s legacy of racial progress.

During his inauguration address, Trump spoke about ending policies aimed at “socially engineering race and gender into every facet of public and private life.” He also targeted the transgender community and their supporters, stating that it will be official policy to recognize “only two genders, male and female.”

“Our education system has led our children to feel ashamed of themselves and, in many cases, to hate our country, despite our efforts to instill love for it,” Trump remarked, alluding to longstanding criticisms against Critical Race Theory and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs.

“This will all change starting today, and change will come swiftly.”

Biden grants last-minute pardons amid reports of discontent

Outgoing President Joe Biden, now positioned between two Trump administrations, previously warned that Trump and his associates “represent an extremism that poses a grave threat to our republic.”

While Biden publicly maintained a cordial tone towards Trump, participating in customary rituals associated with the peaceful transfer of power—something Trump declined in 2021—his concerns about potential pushback from his rival were evident when he issued blanket preemptive pardons before the swearing-in.

Key figures in the Trump opposition who received pardons included Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; retired Gen. Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and former Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who was involved in the investigation of the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021.

This unprecedented action follows Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter for tax and gun charges. He also pardoned family members, including his brother James, shortly before leaving office.

Reports suggest that the 82-year-old Democrat, departing with the lowest approval ratings for an outgoing president at 36%, is unsettled by Trump’s return. He may also carry resentment towards Democrats who pressured him out of the race in July, evidenced by former First Lady Jill Biden’s recent resentment towards Rep. Nancy Pelosi for her role in the situation.

‘Broken them’: Pence and tech moguls’ attendance highlights Trump’s influence

A distinct feature of this second inauguration is how Trump has solidified his control over the Republican Party, uniting former adversaries and critics under his banner.

Prominent figures in the tech industry, such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai, and Mark Zuckerberg, were conspicuously present, alongside other wealthy individuals. Zuckerberg is the founder of Facebook, while Pichai serves as the CEO of Google, and Musk is the owner of X, previously Twitter.

Another unexpected attendee was former Vice President Mike Pence, who had criticized Trump’s actions as reckless, stating in 2023 that Trump’s “reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol” during the January 6, 2021, attack by Trump supporters calling for his hanging.

“They’re not present because they support President Trump,” Steve Bannon, a former chief strategist for Trump, remarked. “They’re there because the Trump movement and President Trump have brought them under control.”

Signs indicate early divisions within the Trump coalition, particularly between traditional MAGA supporters and the new tech elites, as disputes over immigration policy arise.

A recent YSL News/Suffolk poll shows Trump returning to power with a favorable-unfavorable rating tied at 47%. This improvement is credited to better responses from independents, shifting from a net negative 22% in December 2020 to a net negative 5% in January 2025.

Combined with initial legislative successes, aided by more compliant Senate Democrats who championed strict anti-immigration measures, Trump seems to be enjoying a honeymoon period.

Democrats split on cooperation versus resistance

The YSL News/Suffolk poll also highlights that American sentiments toward Trump’s return are relatively calmer than upon his first inauguration, with 31% expressing “excitement” about his second term, compared to 31% who expressed “fear.”

In December 2016, a comparable poll revealed only 16% feeling “excited,” while 38% were “alarmed.”

The key challenge ahead lies for Democrats, who now lack the presidency and majority in either congressional chamber. They must decide whether to cooperate with or resist Trump in the ensuing years.

Moderate Democrats or those from swing states may adopt a wait-and-see approach, while representatives from heavily Democratic states like California, Illinois, and New York are set to lead the resistance against him, emphasizing protection for undocumented immigrants and other vulnerable groups.

Thousands still gathered in D.C. to protest against Trump, although the crowd size was noticeably smaller than in 2017.

A tracking survey by Our Revolution, the largest grassroots progressive political group in the country, found that 63% of their members prefer “supporting initiatives of common ground” with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on matters like reducing wasteful Pentagon spending, compared to 37% who advocate for outright opposition to Trump.