Donald Trump is Again US President: "America's Decline Over"

The new US President Donald Trump has portrayed himself as a saviour for America with sharp rhetoric and promised a new upswing for the country. "The golden age of America begins right now," Trump said in his inaugural speech in the dome hall of the US Capitol in Washington. "From this moment on, America's decline is over." Prior to this, the Republican was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States in a solemn ceremony.

Schallenberg Congratulates Trump After Inauguration

Austria's current interim chancellor, ÖVP Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, congratulated on X: "We look forward to continuing the strategic partnership between the USA and Austria. We are ready to tackle global challenges together and promote freedom, security and prosperity." Austria was officially represented at the inauguration by the ambassador to the USA, Petra Schneebauer. In addition, FPÖ deputy Susanne Fürst was in Washington.

The 78-year-old Trump took the oath of office in the rotunda of the Congress building in Washington - without his hand on the Bible, as Kathpress reported. Due to freezing cold in the US capital, the inauguration was moved indoors at short notice.

Trump Promises Golden Age for America

Trump promised that under his leadership the country would flourish and be respected again. "Every nation will envy us, and we will no longer be exploited." He would put America first again. "The sun shines on the whole world." The day of his inauguration was a "day of liberation". The Republican made serious allegations against the predecessor administration of Democrat Joe Biden.

For years, a "radical and corrupt establishment" had taken power and wealth from American citizens, the pillars of society had been broken. The predecessor administration could not even manage a simple crisis in its own country, Trump claimed in the presence of Biden, who had personally accompanied him to the ceremony. The predecessor administration had failed to protect US citizens and instead had given refuge to dangerous criminals from other countries. This is now over.

Withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement

His victory in the presidential election was "a mandate to completely reverse a terrible betrayal and all the many frauds that have taken place and to give the people back their faith, their prosperity, their democracy," Trump said. He announced various decisions immediately after his inauguration - including to protect the US border, to overhaul the country's energy policy and to impose large-scale tariffs on imports from abroad. Even during his speech, the new White House under Trump also announced that the Republican will again cancel the Paris climate agreement.

Inauguration of a Special Kind Due to Cold

Usually, US presidents are sworn in outside on the west side of the Capitol - in front of an imposing backdrop and cheered by large crowds on the adjacent promenade, the National Mall. The fact that the inauguration was held indoors due to freezing temperatures last happened 40 years ago: at the second inauguration of Republican Ronald Reagan in 1985. The traditional presidential parade after Trump's inauguration, which usually leads from the Capitol to the White House, was also moved indoors: to a sports arena in downtown Washington.

In the morning, Trump, along with his wife Melania, initially attended a church service and was then received for tea by his Democratic predecessor Biden and his wife Jill at the White House. This is tradition. Trump himself had deviated from such protocol customs and did not attend Biden's inauguration in 2021 - then as the outgoing president.

Radical Agenda for Second Term

Trump's first term from 2017 to 2021 was overall marked by chaos and scandals. He broke with countless political conventions, questioned decades-old alliances, and caused various international upheavals. Domestically, the Republican pursued a radical agenda, such as in immigration policy or with an isolationist "America First" course. Trump's second term also promises a policy of extremes both domestically and internationally.

Just before the inauguration, Trump's team had announced, among other things, far-reaching restrictions with regard to transgender rights. The policy of the USA will henceforth be based on the assumption that there are only two genders: male and female. This is a challenge to a modern societal image.

Trump is also targeting immigrants. He also plans, in his own words, the "largest deportation program in American history" to drive immigrants out of the country on a large scale. He wants to pardon criminals of the Capitol attack, clean up the state apparatus, and take revenge on political opponents. The Republican flirted during the election campaign with wanting to be a "dictator" only on the first day of a second term, and indeed the USA could take on autocratic traits under him. He has often threatened opponents, journalists, and media houses with retaliation and even advocated using the military against "enemies within".

Biden Issued Pardons Just Before Handover of Power

For this reason, Biden issued preventive pardons at the last minute before his departure from the White House - including for several high-ranking Democrats who had processed the storming of the US Capitol and Trump's role in it. And at the last moment - when Biden was already sitting at the ceremony in the Capitol - preventive pardons followed for his siblings and their partners. Biden has thus protected them in advance from prosecution by the Trump administration. This is unusual.

International Tensions Preprogrammed

Internationally, turbulent times lie ahead. Trump described himself as a "peacemaker and reconciler". However, he has so far mainly struck confrontational tones towards foreign partners. The Republican has threatened, among other things, to dramatically reduce or completely stop the massive US military aid for Ukraine and to refuse military assistance to other NATO states in the event of an attack if they do not significantly increase their defense spending.

In his speech, he also announced that he wanted to rename the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America". With regard to the Panama Canal, he even said: "We're taking it back." Before his inauguration, Trump explicitly did not rule out using the military if necessary to gain control of the important shipping route.

(APA/Red)

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