WASHINGTON
- Pledging emphatically to empower America's "forgotten men and
women," Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United
States Friday, taking command of a riven nation facing an unpredictable era
under his assertive but untested leadership.
Under cloudy, threatening skies at the West Front
of the U.S. Capitol, Trump painted a bleak picture of the America he now leads,
declaring as he had throughout the election campaign that it is beset by crime,
poverty and a lack of bold action. The billionaire businessman and reality
television star - the first president who had never held political office or
high military rank - promised to stir a "new national pride" and
protect America from the "ravages" of countries he says have stolen
U.S. jobs.
"This American carnage stops right here," Trump declared. In a
warning to the world, he said, "From this day forward, a new vision will
govern our land. From this moment on, it's going to be America first."
Eager to demonstrate his readiness to take
actions, Trump went directly to the Oval Office Friday night, before the
inaugural balls, and signed his first executive order as president - on
"Obamacare." Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said it was an order to
federal departments "minimizing the economic burden" of President
Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act. He would provide no details.
Trump also signed commissions for two former
generals confirmed to Cabinet posts earlier by the Senate: James Mattis as
secretary of defense and John Kelly to head the Department of Homeland
Security. Vice President Mike Pence swore them in soon after.
At
the inauguration, the crowd that spread out before Trump on the National Mall
was notably smaller than at past inaugurals, reflecting both the divisiveness
of last year's campaign and the unpopularity of the incoming president compared
to modern predecessors.
After
the swearing-in, demonstrations unfolded in the streets of Washington. Police
in riot gear deployed pepper spray after protesters smashed the windows of
downtown businesses, denouncing capitalism and the new president.
Police
reported more than 200 arrests by evening and said six officers had been hurt.
At least one vehicle was set afire.
Short
and pointed, Trump's 16-minute address in the heart of Washington was a
blistering rebuke of many who listened from privileged seats only feet away.
Surrounded by men and women who have long filled the government's corridors of
power, the new president said that for too long, "a small group in our
nation's capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have
borne the cost."
His
predecessor, Obama, sat stoically as Trump pledged to push the country in a
dramatically different direction.
Trump's
victory gives Republicans control of both the White House and Congress - and
all but ensures conservatives can quickly pick up a seat on the closely divided
Supreme Court. Despite entering a time of Republican dominance, Trump made
little mention of the party's bedrock principles: small government, social
conservativism and robust American leadership around the world.
He
left no doubt he considers himself the product of a movement - not a party.
Trump
declared his moment a fulfillment of his campaign pledge to take a sledgehammer
to Washington's traditional ways, and he spoke directly to the alienated and
disaffected.
"What
truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether our
government is controlled by the people," he said. "To all Americans
in every city near and far, small and large from mountain to mountain, from
ocean to ocean, hear these words: You will never be ignored again."
But
the speech offered scant outreach to the millions who did not line up behind
his candidacy.
Trump's
call for restrictive immigration measures, religious screening of immigrants
and his caustic campaign rhetoric about women and minorities angered millions.
He did not directly address that opposition, instead offering a call to
"speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always
pursue solidarity."
While
Trump did not detail policy proposals Friday, he did set a high bar for his
presidency. The speech was full of the onetime showman's lofty promises to
bring back jobs, "completely" eradicate Islamic terrorism, and build
new roads, bridges and airports.
Despite
Trump's ominous portrait of America, he is taking the helm of a growing
economy. Jobs have increased for a record 75 straight months, and the
unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in December, close to a 9-year low.
Yet
Trump's victory underscored that for many Americans, the recovery from the
Great Recession has come slowly or not at all. His campaign tapped into
seething anger in working class communities, particularly in the Midwest, that
have watched factories shuttered and the certainty of a middle class life wiped
away.
Randy
Showalter, a 36-year-old diesel mechanic and father of five from Mount Solon,
Virginia, said he felt inspired as he stood and listened to Trump's speech.
"I
feel like there's an American pride that I've never felt, honestly, in my
life," said Showalter, who donned Trump's signature "Make America
Great Again" red hat.
Trump's
journey to the inauguration was as unlikely as any in recent U.S. history. He
defied his party's establishment and befuddled the news media. He used social
media to dominate the national conversation and challenge conventions about
political discourse. After years of Democratic control of the White House and
deadlock in Washington, his was a blast of fresh air for millions.
At
70, Trump is the oldest person to be sworn in as president, marking a
generational step backward after two terms for Obama, one of the youngest
presidents to serve as commander in chief.
The
44th president, who will continue to live in Washington, left the city after
the swearing-in ceremony for a family vacation in California. At a farewell
celebration with staff members at Joint Base Andrews, he thanked them for
having "proved the power of hope."
While
Trump bucked convention as a candidate, he embraced the pomp and pageantry of
the inaugural celebrations. He was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts,
reciting the 35-word oath with his hand placed upon two Bibles, one used by his
family and another during President Abraham Lincoln's inauguration.
During an
afternoon parade, he stepped outside the armored presidential limousine with
Mrs. Trump and his 10-year-old son, Barron, to walk two brief stretches of
Pennsylvania Avenue.
In
a show of solidarity, all of the living American presidents attended the
inaugural, except for 92-year-old George H.W. Bush, who was hospitalized this
week with pneumonia. His wife, Barbara, was also in the hospital after falling
ill.
But
more than 60 House Democrats refused to attend Trump's swearing-in ceremony in
the shadow of the Capitol dome. One Democrat who did sit among the dignitaries
was Hillary Clinton, Trump's vanquished campaign rival who was widely expected
by both parties to be the one taking the oath of office.
At
a post-ceremony luncheon at the Capitol, Trump declared it was an honor to have
her attend, and the Republicans and Democrats present rose and applauded.
While
most of Trump's first substantive acts as president will wait until Monday, he
signed a series of papers formally launching his administration, including
official nominations for his Cabinet. Sitting in an ornate room steps from the
Senate floor, the president who had just disparaged the Washington
establishment joked with lawmakers, including House Democratic leader Nancy
Pelosi, and handed out presidential pens.
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