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INAUGURATION LIVE BLOG | Donald Trump takes oath as 47th president

By 01/20/2025 | updated 2 years ago

Watch the ceremonies:

Join us as our nation witnesses another peaceful transfer of power during the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025. Learn more about the Inaugural Ceremonies and the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) here: https://www.inaugural.senate.gov/

12:15 p.m. – Signatures in the President’s Room

President Donald Trump is now in the President’s Room surrounded by members of Congress where he signed official documents that turned over government power.

11:51 a.m. – Trump still claims 2020 was a rigged election

Sticking to his claim from 2020, Trump again said it was “rigged election” when he lost to President Biden.

“This time we made it too big to rig,” he said. “They tried. They tried to do it. But they gave up.”

11:35 a.m. – A Movement like no other

President Trump tells a room of supporters that he opted to leave divisive comments out of his inaugural speech, including mentioning his critics.

He called out now former President Biden for his slew of pardons of “33 murderers” along with others such as former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney who chaired the committee that investigated the Jan. 6 riots in 2020. He also criticized Democratic U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who he says was the one who did not want National Guard troops during the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.

11:21 a.m. – President Trump is introduced by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson

After being introduced by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance enter the Emancipation Room.

Vance takes the podium, telling Trump that is “hell of a way to start the next four years.”

With some humor, Vance said he was glad the ceremony was taken inside because of the frigid cold outside.

11:17 a.m. Biden departs in peaceful transition of power

Now former President Joe Biden has officially departed the Capitol along with First Lady Jill Biden a final time, taking a final loop around the White House en route to Andrews Air Force Base.

Trump, officially taking over as Commander in Chief, is expected to deliver more remarks at Emancipation Hall. 

10:44 a.m. Trump invokes American exceptionalism, ‘noting stands in our way’

Trump ended his speech by invoking American exceptionalism, saying America will be a a nation like no other, full of compassion and exceptionalism.

“America will be respected again and admired again,” he said, adding, “We will be prosperous, we will win like never before, we will not be conquered, we will not be intimidated.”

“We will not fail,” he added. “And nothing will stand in our way because we are Americans.”

“And our golden age has just begun,” he said.

10:38 a.m. – Achieving the impossible

Trump said to always believe in the impossible, noting that many thought there was not chance of him making a political comeback to win a second term in office. 

“As of today, the people have spoken,” he said. “I stand before you now as proof that you should never believe something is impossible to do. In America, the possible is what we do best.”

Trump promised citizens are on the verge of the “greatest four years in American history. We will rebuild the nation that we love. We are one people, one family and one glorious nation under God.”

Trump continued, “I am with you. I will fight for you. I will win for you. We are going to win like never before.”

10:35 a.m. Trump: America’s manifest destiny is written in the stars – literally

Trump said America will bring its manifest destiny into the stars, where humans will “plant the stars and stripes” into the soil of the planet Mars. “Ambition,” he said, “is the lifeblood of a great nation.”

10:30 a.m. Trump vows to end DEI policies

Trump said his presidency will mean the federal government’s focus on diversity, equity and inclusion is coming to an end. “There are two genders — male and female,” he said.

10:26 a.m. – Decreasing inflation and increase oil production

Trump said decreasing inflation is a top priority that has been caused by government overspending, taking an America first approach. 

He said he will immediately declare an emergency and “drill baby drill.”

“Once again, we will work to make America an energy producer. Will bring prices down, fill strategic reserves up to the top, and export American energy all over the world,” he said.

Promising to be a rich nation again, Trump said America will utilize the “liquid gold right under our feet” to achieve this goal.

Trump said he will immediately revoke the electric vehicle mandates and restore faith in American oil workers.

“In other words, you’ll be able to buy the car of your choice, and we will build automobiles in America again,” he said.

10: 24 a.m. Border emergency declared, cartels now regarded as ‘terrorist organizations’

Trump said he has declared a state of emergency on the U.S. border with Mexico, as he vows to stop all illegal entries. “And we will will begin the process of (removing) criminal aliens back to the places where (they came from),” he said. 

He also disclosed that he will sign executive orders that would, among other things, put back in place his “Remain in Mexico” policy from his first presidency.

“I will end the practice of catch and release,” he said, adding he will be deploying troops to the southern border to “repel the disastrous invasion of our country.”

“Under the orders I’ll signed today, we will also be designating the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations,” he said, adding that, under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, he will crack down on foreign criminal gangs. The latter, he said, has devastated American cities. 

10:23 a.m. Trump invokes God, says life saved for a ‘reason’

Trump said he has been tested and challenged more than any other president in America’s history. “Our journey to reclaim our republic has not been easy,” he said, adding his enemies tried to “take my freedom and, indeed, take my life.”

“An assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear,” he said, adding, “I believe that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to America great again.”

10:15 a.m. – Quick change is coming

From crisis’ at home, to education and to fixing America’s decline, Trump said change is coming and it is coming quickly. 

“We will immediately restore the competency of America’s government,” he said.

He declared that Jan. 20, 2025 is “Liberation Day.”

10:10 a.m. – ‘A thrilling new era’ 

Trump said that his ascent to the presidency and Republicans taking Congress heralds the “start of a thrilling new era of national success.” America, he said, is poised once more to be “proud, prosperous and free.” “America will soon be greater, stronger and far more exceptional than ever before,” he said. 

10:09 a.m. – Donald Trump takes the stage

After being announced as the 45th and 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump thanks the crowd and all those in attendance, saying the “Golden age of American begins right now,” stressing that he will always put America first.

10:01 a.m. – Swearing in the President

Chief Justice John Roberts swears in Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States.

10 a.m. – Swearing in the Vice President

Chief Justice Brett Kavanaugh swears in Vice President JD Vance. 

9:55 a.m. – Invocation

Timothy Cardinal Dolan, archbishop of New York, delivers the invocation along with Reb. Franklin Graham, son of the late Billy Graham. 

9:44 a.m. – The incoming president is announced

President-election Donald Trump the 45th and now 47th president of the U.S. has entered the Rotunda. 

9:40 a.m. – Vice president-elect JD Vance is announced

Ahead of the 47th president-elect taking the stage, JD Vance has been announced.

9:32 a.m. – Official ceremony is now underway

President Joe Biden has arrived along with outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris.

9:30 a.m. – Melania Trump arrives at the Capitol

Melania Trump is currently being escorted into the Capitol Rotunda. She arrived not long after many members of the Trump family were seated in what is being described as a more intimate ceremony since it is inside.

9 a.m. Former presidents arriving

As expected, plenty of dignitaries are attending the historic event. Former presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George Bush have arrived. Former first ladies Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton are also attending the ceremony. However, it was confirmed last week that Michelle Obama would be a no show.

Despite the contentious ending to Trump’s last term as president, the former 45th Vice President Mike Pence of the U.S. has been announced as a guest.

8:30 a.m. Heading to the Capitol

First ladies Jill Biden and Melania Trump have left the White House, heading to the Capitol to prepare for the inauguration ceremony at 10 a.m.

President-elect Trump and President Joe Biden will be driving in a separate car to the Capitol. The trip will likely be Biden’s final moments at the White House.

Members of Congress are now starting to enter the Capitol Rotunda where ceremonies will be held inside due to frigid temperatures. Elon Musk, owner of X, has also arrived. 

7:30 a.m. President-elect Donald Trump is on the move

Inauguration Day follows adheres to many traditions, starting in the morning with the new president heading to the White House to have morning tea with the outgoing administration.

President-elect Donald Trump and incoming First Lady Melania Trump are currently being transported to the White House, where they will meet with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

Immediate policy changes could be felt in Colorado

On the campaign trail and since his election in November, Trump and his allies have vowed to unleash sweeping changes on his first day in the White House, with multiple Trump allies predicting a “shock and awe” approach that could include the newly inaugurated president signing 100 or more executive orders affecting nearly everything the federal government touches, from immigration and trade policy to national security and domestic energy production.

It’s unclear how quickly the Republicans’ first-day activities will be felt on the ground in Colorado, though Trump’s’ avid supporters and steadfast opponents alike say the handoff of power from Democrat Joe Biden will be unmistakable.

Coloradans could see fireworks immediately on the immigration front, as members of the incoming Trump administration has signaled swift moves on one of his campaign’s central issues.

In addition to closing the southern border to illegal crossings and seeking an end to birthright citizenship — which could be beyond the scope of a president’s authority, since the right is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution — Trump has said he plans to launch a massive deportation program particularly aimed at individuals who have committed crimes and belong to certain transnational gangs. At an October campaign rally in Aurora, Trump dubbed the program “Operation Aurora,” capping his repeated references to reports of Venezuelan gang members operating out of apartment complexes in the city.

What to expect on Jan. 20

Who is attending the inauguration

Ramped-up security in DC

Trump’s first day back in the White House

Trump’s record-breaking inaugural fund

How Democrats are responding

Washington Examiner contributed to this report.

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