The Chief Justice of the US administered the oath of office. Besides Trump, Republican politician JD Vance also took oath as the Vice President of the US.

Both Donald Trump and JD Vance had their wives Melania Trump and Indian-origin Usha Vance by their side during the swearing-in. 

After the oath, Trump delivered an inaugural address, laying out his plans for the next four years.

Highlights of his address

After the oath, Trump  delivered an inaugural address, laying out his plans for the next four years.

• Trump said he is returning as the 47th president “confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success.”
• "A tide of change is sweeping the country," he said, calling Jan 20 the salvation day. Trump said he will end the weaponization of the Justice Department at his inaugural address.
• “The scales of justice will be rebalanced. The vicious, violent and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and government will end,” Trump said.
• “Sunlight is pouring over the entire world and America has the chance to seize this opportunity like never before,” Trump said.
• “The golden age of America begins right now,” Trump said in his inaugural address.
• “From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer,” Trump said.  "America's decline is over," he said.
• Attacking the Biden administration, he said the previous regime provided sanctuary and protection for "dangerous criminals" who have illegally entered our country.
• "We will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens," he said, dwelling on his controversial Trump tariff threats.
• Trump said he will change the name of Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America. “A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.”
• “America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on Earth — inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire world,” Trump said.
• "I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life... As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female," he said.

The Ceremony
 

The ceremony was moved inside to the U.S. Capitol Rotunda due to inclement weather conditions, the first time since Ronald Reagan's second inauguration 40 years ago. The weather forecast has predicted this to be the coldest inauguration in 40 years.

Trump earlier arrived at The White House and met his predecessor Joe Biden, who welcomed the President-elect to 'home' for tea.

According to reports, Joe Biden has followed the tradition of leaving his successor a note. While Biden confirmed that he wrote Trump a letter, he did not say what his message was.

Donald Trump became only the second President in US history, after Grover Cleveland in 1893, to return to power after being voted out of the White House.

Trump made history by replacing Joe Biden as the oldest President of the United States.

Donald Trump's team has declared earlier, "As soon as President Trump places his hand on the Bible and swears the Oath to the United States Constitution, the Golden Age of America will begin."

However, several Americans have expressed deep concern over his administration given the conservative policies in his last term.

Trump has promised to sign a record number of executive orders on the very first day of his office ushering in sweeping changes and reversing much of what his predecessor Joe Biden has done.

This is according to him the "need of the hour" and the only way to "Make America Great Again".

Trump's return to the Oval Office has been quite a dramatic one that saw him defy two assassination attempts and a criminal conviction to win the historic election, including him registering a win in every single swing state in the country.

His Republican party has returned to power with a majority in both the House of Representatives, as well as the Senate, giving President Trump massive power to push through any agendas he feels necessary.

According to reports, Trump will sign a staggering over 100 executive orders including immediate tariff implementation, stringent curbs on immigration, mass deportation of illegal migrants, a national emergency on the southern US border with Mexico, ending birthright citizenship, pardon to all 2021 US Capitol rioters, ban on transgender athletes from women's sports, ending all gender-affirming care practices, and undoing the Biden administration's directives on diversity and oil drilling, among others.