It was freezing. Like, "don't leave your dog outside" kind of cold. If you were looking for the typical sprawling crowds on the West Front of the Capitol on January 20, 2025, you probably saw a whole lot of empty chairs and wind-whipped flags instead. Because of a brutal cold snap—we're talking temperatures that could literally give you frostbite in minutes—the whole production for Donald Trump sworn in as the 47th President had to be moved inside.
It was a weird vibe, honestly. Instead of the massive outdoor stage, everything went down in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. It felt tighter, more intense, and definitely more private than your average inauguration. Chief Justice John Roberts did the honors, and just like that, Donald Trump became only the second person in American history to pull off the non-consecutive term trick. Grover Cleveland finally has some company in the history books.
The Indoor Oath and a "Golden Age" Promise
Moving the ceremony inside wasn't just a logistical headache; it changed the entire energy of the day. The Rotunda is beautiful, sure, but it only fits a few hundred people comfortably. While the VIPs—including Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton—were squeezed into the circle of statues, the "MAGA" faithful were largely redirected to the Capital One Arena nearby to watch on big screens.
Trump didn't hold back in his speech. He called it "Liberation Day." He talked about a "Golden Age" starting right that second. You could tell he was leaning into the drama of the comeback. He mentioned the assassination attempts from the campaign trail, saying those who tried to stop him had tried to "take my life." It wasn't your standard "let's all get along" inaugural address. It was a victory lap.
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He basically laid out a "Revolution of Common Sense." To him, that meant a lot of things:
- Closing the border immediately (he actually declared a national emergency right there).
- Scrapping the Green New Deal.
- Drilling for oil like there's no tomorrow—the "liquid gold" as he likes to call it.
- Planting an American flag on Mars (Elon Musk was in the room for that one, grinning ear to ear).
The First Hours: Executive Orders and Office Signings
Most presidents wait a day or two to really get the gears turning. Not this time. As soon as Donald Trump sworn in was official, he headed to the President’s Room just off the Senate floor and started signing stuff. It was a flurry of pens.
One of the big ones? A "national energy emergency." He wants to gut every regulation standing in the way of fracking and drilling. Then there was the border. He didn't just talk about it; he signed orders to reinstate "Remain in Mexico" and end "catch and release." He even mentioned using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to start mass deportations. It’s a law that hasn’t been used like that in a long, long time, and it’s definitely going to keep the lawyers busy for years.
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Then there was the "Gulf of America" thing. Yeah, he actually said he wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico. And Mount Denali? Back to Mount McKinley. It’s these little cultural "pokes" that really define how he plans to govern this time around—very focused on reversing anything he thinks is "woke" or too modern.
What Most People Missed About the Day
While the news was focused on the Mars talk and the border, a few other things happened that tell you a lot about the next four years. For one, the crowd at the Capital One Arena was massive. Even though they couldn't be at the Capitol, the energy was high-voltage. People were wearing "45-47" gear and treating it like a rock concert.
There was also a significant presence of law enforcement—over 25,000 personnel. Because it was also Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the city was a maze of security fences and "No Kings" protesters. It was a stark contrast: the jubilation inside the arena versus the deep-seated anger on the streets just blocks away.
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Interestingly, he didn't spend much time talking about inflation or the specific cost of eggs. He focused more on the "invasion" at the border and the "weaponization" of the DOJ. It suggests his second term is going to be much more about settling scores and structural changes than just tweaking tax brackets.
Actionable Insights: What to Watch Next
If you’re trying to figure out what this means for your daily life, here are three things to keep an eye on right now:
- Federal Workforce Changes: He signed an order telling federal workers they have to be back in the office five days a week. If you’re in D.C. or work for the government, the "work from home" era is officially dead.
- Energy Prices: With the "National Energy Emergency" declaration, expect a push to lower gas prices through sheer volume of production. Whether that actually hits your wallet next week is debatable, but the policy shift is total.
- The Courts: Almost every order he signed on day one is going to be challenged. Watch the Fifth Circuit and the Supreme Court. That’s where the real "swearing in" of these policies will happen.
The day ended with Trump back in the Oval Office, checking the desk drawers for the letter Joe Biden left him. He held it up for the cameras, wondering out loud if they should all read it together. He didn't, but the message was clear: he’s back, and he’s not wasting a single minute.