Donald J. Trump was inaugurated at noon EST on Monday, Jan. 20, as the 47th president of the United States. The official ceremony — normally hosted outside of the Capitol Building — was moved inside due to an Arctic blast of wintry weather that swept most of the nation.
Trump was joined in his inauguration by First Lady Melania Trump, other family members and Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha, and their children.
Vance, an Ohio State University graduate, had joked last week about missing the inauguration in order to attend his alma mater’s game for the college football national title.
Outgoing President Joseph R. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were in attendance along with a long list of other elected officials from the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Former President Bill Clinton, former President George W. Bush and former President Barack Obama were also in attendance.
After being introduced and entering the chamber, Trump greeted Biden with a cordial handshake and brief comments.
Following historic tradition, Vance took his oath of office first, followed by Trump’s swearing in. The invocation was jointly done by New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan and the Rev. Franklin Graham.
“The golden age of America begins right now,†Trump said in his inaugural speech. “For every single day of the Trump administration, I will always put America first. Another top priority will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous and free.â€
Monday’s inauguration marks the return to the White House for Trump, who became only the second president in the nation’s history to be elected as president in non-consecutive terms. He defeated outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris in a landslide Electoral College victory on Nov. 5.
President Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms as the 22nd and 24th president of the nation.
