Former President Donald Trump was sworn in Monday for his second term in office on a frigid day in Washington, capping off a political comeback unprecedented in American history.  

“The golden age of America begins right now,” Trump said in his inaugural address. “It is time for us to again act with courage, vigor and the vitality of history’s greatest civilization.” 

Trump took the oath of office just after noon and then spoke for almost 30 minutes in the Capitol Rotunda, where inaugural ceremonies moved for just the third time in American history due to dangerously cold temperatures in the nation’s capital.  

Trump’s remarks included sharp criticisms of the Biden administration, which he did not name directly, and a lengthy list of campaign promises he vowed to fulfill immediately.  

“During every day of the Trump administration, I will very simply put America first,” said Trump, who declared Monday “liberation day.” “Our sovereignty will be reclaimed, our safety will be restored, the scales of justice will be balanced, the vicious, violent and unfair weaponization of our Justice Department and our government will end.” 

Trump said his first action will be to declare a national emergency at the southern border, reinstate his previous “remain in Mexico” policy, and end the practice of “catch and release.” He said he would send U.S. troops to the southern border to “repel the disastrous invasion of our country,” and designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.  

Trump also said he would declare a national energy emergency, end the Green New Deal, scuttle the electric car mandate, and establish a Department of Government Efficiency. 

Trump also said he would make it government policy that there are only two genders, change the name of Mt. Denali to Mt. McKinley, change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and take back control of the Panama Canal.  

Acknowledging Monday was also Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Trump said he intends to fulfill what he said was King’s dream for American society: “We will forge a society that is colorblind and merit-based.”  

Fox News Digital, citing a senior administrative official, reported Sunday night that Trump planned to sign more than 200 executive orders on Inauguration Day—a huge increase from the one he signed on his first day in 2017. 

Trump’s inauguration marked the second time a U.S. president has served two separate terms in the White House, following former President Grover Cleveland, who served 1885-1889 and 1893-1897. It comes after he survived two impeachment votes and a four-year exile from the White House that included four criminal indictments—the first against a president in U.S. history—conviction on 34 counts in one of the cases, and two assassination attempts.  

“Over the past eight years I’ve been tested and challenged more than any president in our 250-year history,” said Trump, who credited God for sparing his life. “I’ve learned a lot along the way.” 

Trump delivered his speech a few feet in front of outgoing President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Trump defeated in the November election (49.9% to 48.4%).  

“It has been the honor of our lifetimes to serve you, the American people,” Harris wrote in her final post on X as vice president.  

While Trump brings more ambitious policy plans into his second term, he faces less flexibility on Capitol Hill to push through his agenda. When Trump took office in 2017, Republicans held a 47-seat House majority, but the 119th Congress currently features a razor-thin majority of 218-215—meaning House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., can afford only one defection on GOP legislation. (Republicans are also expected to fill two vacant seats.)   

In the Senate, Republicans hold a 53-47 majority. They’re also replacing two outgoing members as Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, ascends to the vice presidency, while Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is poised to become secretary of state.  

Local U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Gainesville, cheered the inaugural events from her seat in the Rotunda. 

“Congratulations to President Trump on this momentous Inauguration Day!” she wrote Monday on X. “I am looking forward to working together with a strong agenda to deliver for the American people to rebuild our economy, strengthen border security, revitalize the energy sector, and put more money back in everyone’s pockets.”