Sworn In

On January 20, Donald Trump became the 47th president of the United States. His inauguration took place at the U.S. Capitol. That’s in Washington, D.C. Because of cold weather, the ceremony was held inside the Capitol Rotunda.

Trump was sworn in by Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts. Trump took the oath of office with his wife, Melania, by his side. He promised to do his best to “defend the Constitution of the United States.”

PRESIDENTIAL PROMISE Donald Trump takes the oath of office in the Capitol Rotunda, in Washington, D.C., on January 20.

Trump then gave a speech. “The golden age of America begins right now,” he said. He said he would bring down costs for everyday Americans and land astronauts on Mars. “If we work together,” he said, “there is nothing we cannot do and no dream we cannot achieve.”

J.D. Vance was sworn in as vice president on January 20, as well. His wife, Usha, was there. So were their three children.

NEW V.P. Prior to Trump’s inauguration, J.D. Vance is sworn in as the country’s new vice president.

Path to the Presidency

Trump was elected president in 2016. He served from 2017 to 2021. He lost reelection to Joe Biden in 2020. But he stayed powerful in U.S. politics. In November 2024, he defeated Vice President Kamala Harris and regained the presidency.

After leaving office in 2021, Trump faced legal troubles. Last May, a New York jury found him guilty of creating false business records. He will not face punishment. But he’s the first president in U.S. history to enter office with a felony conviction.

Trump’s return to office is historic in other ways. He’s the second U.S. president to be elected to terms that are not back-to-back. And at 78, he’s the oldest person to begin a term as U.S. president.

Getting Started

Inaugural events continued throughout the day and evening. After the inauguration ceremony, Trump and Vance greeted supporters in an arena. Trump sat at a desk onstage. He signed eight executive orders (see Teacher’s Guide, “Presidential Orders”). The first reversed 78 of the Biden administration’s executive orders and memos. Others were on removing the U.S. from international agreements on the environment and public health. Trump believes these agreements are not in the best interests of the U.S. Afterward, people cheered. Trump tossed his pens to the crowd.

Trump continued signing orders in the Oval Office. One delays a ban on TikTok. Others focus on immigration and tariffs × tariff a tax on goods coming into or leaving a country (noun) . Trump also pardoned × pardon to officially excuse a person from punishment for wrongdoing (verb) nearly 1,600 of his supporters involved in an attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Later, Trump and the First Lady attended three balls. He again pledged to improve the country. “Just watch what happens,” he said. “There’s gonna be big progress.”