Trump took office, vowing ‘America’s decline is over’
Donald Trump completed his remarkable return to power yesterday as he was sworn in as the 47th U.S. president.
“The golden age of America begins right now,” Trump declared in his Inaugural Address delivered at the Capitol, shortly after he took the oath of office. Much as he did eight years ago, Trump painted a grim portrait of a country on its knees that only he could revive.
“From this moment on, America’s decline is over,” he said. Follow our live updates from Inauguration Day.
In his address, Trump vowed to immediately declare a national emergency at the border with Mexico and send the military to guard it. (More on that below.) He said he would end government programs promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.
He also said he would rename the Gulf of Mexico “the Gulf of America” and promised to seize the Panama Canal. “We’re taking it back,” he said.
A day of firsts: Trump, 78, became the oldest person ever inaugurated as U.S. president, eclipsing Joe Biden, who was five months younger when he took the oath four years ago. Trump also became only the second U.S. president to reclaim the White House after being defeated for re-election, joining Grover Cleveland. He is the first felon to hold office.
Last acts: Biden issued a last-minute wave of pre-emptive pardons to protect people who might be targeted by Trump’s promised “retribution” campaign. He also pardoned five members of his family.
Spoken words: Trump spoke more than 2,800 words during his Inaugural Address. Here are the most frequently used ones.
First family: Trump’s relatives return to Washington with more support — and a far better understanding of how to wield their soft power.
Trump’s first act: An immigration crackdown
President Trump moved swiftly after the inauguration to close down a government program created by the Biden administration that allowed migrants to use an app to secure an appointment for admission into the U.S.
Migrants were shocked as they found a crushing message on their phones: “Existing appointments have been canceled.” Trump has also promised to deport millions of people who are living in the country without permission and plans to involve the military in security at the U.S. border with Mexico. His team said he would sign 10 executive orders cracking down on immigration and immigrants.
Here’s what else Trump set his sights on in the first hours of his presidency:
Climate: The White House said that Trump would withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, the pact among almost all nations to fight climate change.
Trade: Trump did not immediately impose tariffs on imported products, but his aides said he would issue an order directing federal agencies to begin studying a broad list of measures that could ultimately result in taxes on goods from China, Canada, Mexico and other countries in the coming months.
For more: Here’s a list of other actions he is expected to take.
Gazans came home to rubble as the cease-fire held
Palestinians began to survey the damage to their homes yesterday, salvaging what they could from the rubble, as Israelis waited anxiously for news about the health of three recently freed hostages.
The cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that went into effect on Sunday continued to hold. More than 630 aid trucks entered Gaza on the first day of the cease-fire, according to the U.N., the biggest delivery since the start of the war more than 15 months ago.
Palestinians celebrated the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners yesterday in exchange for the three Israelis, who were reunited with their families. The trade was the first of what is hoped will be a series of weekly swaps over the coming five weeks. We have updates here.
What’s next: If the deal holds, a total of 33 of the roughly 100 remaining hostages, living and dead, and more than 1,000 Palestinians held in Israel will be released.
Analysis: The war is not over, and the three-phase cease-fire deal is extremely fragile, Steven Erlanger, a former Jerusalem bureau chief, writes.
To stay hydrated in arid climates, prairie rattlesnakes have evolved an easy (and endearing) solution: a literal thirst trap.
Scientists observed rattlesnakes coil up and turn themselves into rain-collecting pancakes. The snakes could then drink water off their own flattened bodies, and even took sips off their neighbors, adding to evidence of their social nature. Read more.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
The center of the universe might be in Java
When planning a trip to Indonesia, many travelers focus on Bali. But on the island of Java, the city of Yogyakarta is quietly making a case for being a spiritual hub.
Yogyakarta is home to some of the world’s greatest Hindu and Buddhist temples, and a thriving food scene of roadside warungs and restaurants. The Cosmological Axis, built by an 18th sultanate, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2023. This sliver of the city is a mix of animist, Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim details and beliefs that put Yogya at the center of the spiritual universe. The city is not easily parsed, which makes it great for several days of exploration.
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Cook: For Lunar New Year, this Cantonese-style steamed fish can be served alongside noodles and dumplings.
Watch: Netflix’s “Selling the City,” the newest offshoot of the “Selling Sunset” franchise, features backstabbing and big commissions.
