Donald J. Trump sworn in as 47th president; J.D. Vance sworn as vice president, president announces series of executive actions

Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the presidential oath; earlier, Associate Justice Kavanaugh administered the oath to James David Vance, who became vice president.

President Trump delivered an inaugural address in which he framed his return to office as a mandate to “restore” the country and outlined immediate policy priorities. “I will declare a national emergency at our southern border,” he said, and said his administration would “reinstate my remain in Mexico policy,” end “catch and release,” and send troops to the border. He also said his administration would designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to direct federal and state law enforcement efforts.

Trump announced a national energy emergency and pledged to “drill, baby, drill,” to expand domestic oil and gas production, refill strategic reserves and lift what he described as burdens on U.S. manufacturers. He also said he would revoke the electric vehicle mandate and end the Green New Deal, and proposed creating a new Department of Government Efficiency to oversee federal operations.

The address combined aspirational language about American renewal with a series of concrete policy actions the President said he intended to take by executive order. On the ceremonial schedule, the President signed a series of initial actions in the President’s Room adjacent to the Senate Chamber; the program identified those as the first official acts of his second term.

The swearing-in and remarks occurred indoors at the Capitol because of inclement weather. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCC) and congressional leaders, including members of both parties, attended, along with former presidents and justices of the Supreme Court.

Why it matters: The ceremony formalized the constitutional transfer of executive authority and immediately signaled the new administration’s priorities through announced executive orders and emergency declarations. Those actions announce intent but will be subject to legal and administrative review and, where relevant, congressional or judicial constraints.

What happened next: After the oaths and remarks, the President signed initial actions in the President’s Room and proceeded to other inaugural events. The JCC continued ceremonial traditions including a luncheon and a First Honors military ceremony.

Attribution and sources: Quotes and policy pledges in this article are drawn from the President’s inaugural address and the ceremony program. All direct quotations in this piece are taken from the on-record remarks delivered at the Capitol.