4 min read
Jan 21, 2025
By FreeWire Magazine
From transformative policies to ceremonial highlights, the 47th President begins a new chapter.
Sworn In Indoors
On January 20, 2025, Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, officially beginning his second, non-consecutive term in office. It was a historic moment — Trump joined Grover Cleveland as the only other president in U.S. history to achieve this. But while the occasion was historic, the setting was unconventional.
The ceremony, originally planned for the Capitol steps, was moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda due to freezing temperatures and strong winds. That’s the official story, anyway. Critics quickly pointed out that the weather wasn’t much different from Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration, which drew one of the largest crowds in history — outdoors. Some speculated that the move indoors had more to do with Trump’s desire to avoid visual comparisons to past inaugurations, especially since turnout appeared significantly smaller this time around.
On Twitter, photos of Capitol police standing idly by went viral, showing empty areas where crowds might normally gather. “They’re twiddling their thumbs because nobody showed up,” one user commented, sparking debate online about whether Trump’s supporters would have come in greater numbers if the event had remained outdoors.
Regardless of the chatter, the ceremony itself went ahead as planned. Chief Justice John Roberts swore in Trump, while Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh administered the oath for Vice President J.D. Vance. Outgoing President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden also attended, following tradition. Their appearance, though polite, seemed formal and detached — a reflection of the tense political atmosphere surrounding the election.
A “Golden Age” Vision
In his speech, Trump described the start of what he called a “golden age” for America. He promised sweeping changes to bring prosperity, security, and innovation. His priorities included:
- Energy Independence: Expanding domestic oil production and introducing tariffs to boost U.S. industries.
- Border Security: Designating Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations to combat crime and illegal immigration.
- Space Exploration: Landing an American on Mars, a mission Trump said symbolized bold ambition and national pride. Elon Musk, who attended the ceremony, was seen nodding during the announcement.
Trump’s tone was confident and unapologetic, a direct appeal to his base. Critics, however, noted that much of his agenda sounded like a repeat of promises from his first term.
Carrie Underwood’s Moment
The ceremony wasn’t without its lighter moments. Country superstar Carrie Underwood performed “America the Beautiful,” though her appearance didn’t go quite as planned. A technical issue left her singing a cappella, which added an unexpected rawness to the performance.
Reactions were mixed. Some praised Underwood for powering through the glitch, calling the performance heartfelt and emotional. Others questioned why she was performing at all, given the divisive political tone of the event. The debate spilled onto social media, where her name trended for hours.
Executive Orders Right Away
Trump didn’t waste any time getting to work. Just hours after being sworn in, he signed several executive orders that set the tone for his administration. Among them were:
- Withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement.
- Officially labeling Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
Supporters applauded these moves as decisive, while critics worried about the potential consequences, especially on the international stage.
Biden’s Final Moves
While Trump got to work, Biden spent his last hours in office making a few final decisions. Among them were preemptive pardons for family members and Dr. Anthony Fauci, along with the commutation of Leonard Peltier’s life sentence. The Peltier case, long a flashpoint for activists, divided public opinion once again.
Unsurprisingly, Trump slammed Biden’s actions, calling them “a disgrace” and accusing the outgoing president of abusing his power. It was an immediate reminder of the sharp divide between the two administrations.
Crowd and Public Response
Outside the Capitol, reactions were muted. Trump’s supporters, while present, didn’t turn out in the massive numbers seen during his first inauguration. Critics online were quick to seize on the visuals, sharing side-by-side photos comparing the sparse crowds in 2025 to the overflowing sea of people in 2017.
On social media, hashtags like #TrumpInauguration2025 and #NoCrowds trended throughout the day, with posts from both sides fueling the debate. Supporters claimed the indoor move was the right decision given the weather, while detractors argued that it was an excuse to hide lackluster turnout. The debate over crowd size — something that had haunted Trump during his first inauguration — seemed to resurface yet again.
Looking Ahead
Trump’s return to the White House marks a new chapter in U.S. politics. His promises, as ambitious as ever, have already set the stage for polarizing debates. Supporters view this as an opportunity to finish what he started. Critics fear deeper divisions ahead. Either way, the next four years promise to be eventful and closely watched.
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