Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

The Hilltop

NEWS

Trump Sworn In as 47th President, Promises a ‘Color Blind’ Nation

Chief Justice John Roberts swore in Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States on Jan. 20.

The White House, home to President Donald Trump. (Photo courtesy of Nils Huenerfuerst via Unsplash)

On Monday, Donald Trump was sworn in as president of the United States in an inauguration ceremony held indoors in the Capitol Rotunda due to freezing temperatures of 23 degrees. This marked the first indoor presidential inauguration in 40 years, since Ronald Reagan’s second swearing-in in 1985.

According to political analyst and The Guardian‘s Washington D.C. bureau chief, David Smith, Trump’s return to the White House on January 20 has intensified already heated political discourse. After Trump lost reelection in 2020 to former President Joe Biden, this discourse persisted throughout the election and its aftermath.

During his inaugural address, Trump made bold claims and outlined a vision for his administration.

Referring to the July 13 assassination attempt on the campaign trail, Trump said, “I was saved by God for a reason…to make America great again.”

His speech centered on promises of “the complete restoration of America” and a “revolution of common sense.” 

He pledged to make the nation “color blind,” use executive actions to “restore free speech” and uphold traditional gender norms by recognizing only two genders under federal law. 

Trump’s executive actions, some signed immediately after taking office, underscore his intent to rapidly reshape the nation’s policies. 

Among his proposals is a controversial order to “end asylum access and birthright citizenship,” a right protected under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Critics, such as Marjorie Cohn, a professor at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, argued that this demonstrates Trump’s willingness to test the limits of presidential authority against constitutional protections.

Another action included using executive authority to direct the U.S. Interior Secretary to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the ‘Gulf of America’ and to revert Mount Denali’s name back to Mount McKinley. 

Additionally, Trump’s administration is prepared to deploy troops to the southern border and increase Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Democratic strongholds such as Chicago and Washington, D.C. 

These measures align with his campaign’s promises to combat illegal immigration and prioritize national security, though they are expected to face significant legal and political resistance.

Despite the cold weather, Trump’s supporters traveled from across the country to witness the event. 

Among the notable attendees were Elon Musk, identified by Forbes as America’s richest individual, who actively campaigned for Trump in Pennsylvania, Jeff Bezos, who donated $40 million to license First Lady Melania Trump’s documentary, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Former President Barack Obama also attended but faced taunting from the audience upon his arrival, a stark reminder of the partisan tensions surrounding the event. 

Key Democratic figures, including Nancy Pelosi, Former First Lady Michelle Obama and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), did not attend. 

Ocasio-Cortez said, “I don’t celebrate rapists,” referencing sexual assault allegations that Trump has consistently denied. Her remarks were part of the broader wave of criticism surrounding Trump’s return to office.

Trump concluded his address by declaring that a “Golden Age” is set to begin for America under his leadership.

Copy edited by Camiryn Stepteau

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

You May Also Like

NEWS

Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency Agency (DOGE) have faced backlash for their access to millions of Americans’ financial data.

NEWS

Across the nation, individuals gathered on Feb. 5 to protest against Project 2025 and advocate for the welfare of Americans.

NEWS

President Donald Trump granted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection access to once protected environments. Vandalism occurred at Howard after...

SPORTS

The Washington Capitals awarded members of the Howard figure skating team with exclusive Black History Month jerseys.

Variety

Season 7 of the CW’s “All American” premiered last Monday. A conversation with the showrunners and cast unpacked new storylines and their commitment to...

NEWS

President Donald Trump makes strides in delivering on campaign promises to fire FBI agents involved in the investigation of Jan. 6 uprising.

Variety

Christie Dashiell, an alumna and professor at the College of Fine Arts, received a nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album.

Columns

Despite today’s turbulent social climate, protest anthems have faded from mainstream music. Shaped by capitalism, streaming trends and societal shifts, the industry now seems...

SPORTS

The Howard men’s basketball team has committed their social justice project to providing resources and support for mental health.

SPORTS

For National Girls & Woman Sports Day, Hilltop sports writer Armani Durham highlights standout female athletes at Howard.