by Xinhua writers Xiong Maoling, Liu Yanan and Xu Jianmei
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday in the Rotunda of the Capitol, marking the beginning of his second term after a four-year hiatus.
In his inaugural address, Trump reaffirmed his "America First" agenda while maintaining a steadfast protectionist stance. He announced the repeal of multiple Biden Administration policies and unveiled new policies on immigration, energy, trade and beyond.
Observers noted that Trump faces numerous challenges in implementing policies on issues such as the deportation of illegal immigrants, lowering prices and reducing government spending. His return to power could also exacerbate political divisions within the United States and potentially create greater uncertainty both domestically and internationally.
"AMERICA FIRST" AGAIN
Trump emphasized the "America First" policy in his inaugural speech in 2017. Eight years later, he largely maintained the tone of that address, underscoring the competing interests between the United States and other nations.
For instance, when Trump pledged to immediately overhaul the trade system to "protect American workers and families," he sought to create the illusion that by imposing higher taxes on trade partners, he could reduce the tax burden on domestic citizens.
He announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America," declared his intention to "take back" the Panama Canal, and proposed changing the name of Mount Denali -- the tallest peak in North America -- back to Mount McKinley in honor of former President William McKinley, who, according to Trump, "made our country very rich through tariffs."
He also expressed intentions to expand U.S. territory and plant the American flag on new horizons. "Ambition is the lifeblood of a great nation, and right now, our nation is more ambitious than any other," Trump said.
Trump is "extremely strong on 'America first' -- military, economy, innovation. Though symbolic, renaming the Gulf of Mexico and Denali, was indicative," Gary Clyde Hufbauer, a nonresident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told Xinhua.
Within hours of his inauguration, Trump signed a series of executive orders, including the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change and exit from the World Health Organization.
Observers believe these actions also signal Trump's departure from the Biden administration's policy of global U.S. leadership, shifting the focus onto domestic issues.
MAJOR POLICY OVERHAULS
In his inaugural speech on Monday, Trump launched a fierce criticism of the Biden administration's policies and the current U.S. social system, pledging to bring about a complete transformation and "Make America Great Again."
"Our government confronts a crisis of trust," Trump said. "For many years, a radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens, while the pillars of our society lay broken and seemingly in complete disrepair."
On his first day in office, the president revoked nearly 80 executive actions from the Biden administration, including those related to "diversity, equity, and inclusion," policies addressing climate change, measures related to the protection of LGBTQ rights and strengthening affordable healthcare.
Meanwhile, he signed a flurry of new executive orders, including one declaring a national emergency on the southern border to highlight illegal immigration and border security, a key issue in his speech.
Darrell West, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, had previously speculated that deporting illegal immigrants would face significant challenges due to operational difficulties, potentially resulting in complications with enforcement and public backlash. Furthermore, states and cities governed by Democrats are expected to resist, making it difficult for Trump to carry out the mass deportations he has promised.
Trump also reiterated his plan to set up an "External Revenue Service" to collect tariffs, duties and other revenues from foreign countries.
Garrett Watson, director of policy analysis at the Tax Foundation, an independent tax policy nonprofit, noted that this decision is essentially about channeling tariffs into this new agency rather than U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
This will not change the potential retaliatory measures faced by U.S. exporters, nor will it alter the negative impacts of tariffs, such as price increases for consumers, Watson said.
FUTURE DIVISIONS LOOMING
Ahead of the inauguration, a towering fence spanning about 50 km was erected in downtown Washington, D.C. Although the ceremony was moved indoors due to cold weather, the large fence reflected the authorities' concerns about security.
While large-scale protests, like those during Trump's first inauguration, did not materialize, dozens of anti-Trump protests broke out across the United States on Monday.
As some were protesting, others were partying. At two events held at the Washington D.C. Capital One Arena on Sunday and Monday, respectively, Trump's supporters cheered enthusiastically, celebrating his return to power.
Kyle Ondrejko, a Republican, traveled with his family from Arizona to witness the inauguration. He told Xinhua that he was optimistic about Trump's comeback, expressing support for Trump's policies on deporting illegal immigrants and strengthening border security.
Greg Cusack, a former member of the U.S. State of Iowa House of Representatives and a lifetime Democrat, said that he believes "the policies his (Trump's) billionaire backers and the Republican Party want -- more breaks for the very rich and a crackdown on public spending -- will work to hurt average folks, not help them."
This "will be a destabilizing force that will mean the United States of the near future will be less influential," said Cusack.
A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center after the November presidential election found that about 53 percent of Americans supported Trump's announced plans and policies following his return to office, while 46 percent opposed them.
On Monday, Trump also signed an executive order granting pardons to around 1,500 individuals involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. The move has sparked significant controversy.
Some U.S. media outlets argued that this action would legitimize attempts to deny the election results and overturn the government, further deepening political and social divisions within the nation. ■