Full ceremony: Watch the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th U.S. president

Inauguration Ceremony Highlights

Introduction and Opening Remarks

• The ceremony begins with music and applause as the President-elect's cabinet and cabinet-level designees are introduced.

• A brief moment of light-heartedness is noted, indicating a relaxed atmosphere among attendees.

Notable Attendees

• Former Vice Presidents Dan Quayle and Michael Pence are acknowledged, accompanied by their spouses.

• The 42nd President, Bill Clinton, is introduced alongside Hillary Rodham Clinton, receiving applause from the audience.

• George W. Bush, the 43rd President, is welcomed with his wife Laura Bush to the stage.

• Barack Obama, the 44th President, receives a warm reception from attendees.

Supreme Court Justices

• Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and associate justices of the Supreme Court are recognized during the ceremony.

Musical Performances

• The Armed Forces Chorus performs "Oh America," featuring tenor Christopher D Maio.

• Lyrics express themes of patriotism and commitment to serving America amidst challenges.

Presidential Escort

• Key figures escorting the President-elect include members of Congress and ceremonial leaders.

• Joseph R. Biden Jr., as President-elect, is formally introduced along with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Conclusion of Ceremony

Inauguration Ceremony Remarks

Opening Address by Chairwoman Amy Kashar

• The Honorable Amy Kashar welcomes attendees to the 60th presidential inauguration, highlighting the significance of the peaceful transfer of power in democracy.

• Acknowledges contributions from both parties and expresses gratitude towards committee members, Capitol staff, and law enforcement for their hard work leading up to the event.

• Emphasizes the presence of former presidents and vice presidents as a testament to enduring democracy, marking nearly 250 years since its inception.

Themes of Democracy and Responsibility

• Discusses the importance of leaders pledging fidelity to the Constitution, becoming guardians through various challenges faced by the nation.

• Connects Martin Luther King Day with constitutional values, stressing equal justice under law as a core principle that must be upheld.

• Quotes President Kennedy on civic responsibility, urging citizens to act with generosity despite differences.

Call for Unity Amidst Division

• Highlights an obligation for leadership to find common ground amidst division while standing firm on principles when necessary.

• Reflects on why inaugurations occur at the Capitol rather than other venues, reinforcing checks and balances fundamental to American governance.

Celebrating American Values

• Reminds that power derives from ordinary citizens who contribute significantly across various sectors like construction, education, healthcare, and military service.

• Concludes with a call for resilience in democracy that matches citizen strength and grit.

Enduring Principles of Democracy

• Discusses how endurance is vital for institutions; emphasizes that the Constitution was designed to guide America through time's challenges.

• Affirms democracy's promise allows Americans to change their destiny while remaining true to founding principles.

Reflection on Recent Elections

• Marks this inauguration as a celebration of Americans' choice towards greatness after challenging times domestically and globally.

Invocation by Religious Leaders

Inauguration Day Prayers and Oaths

Invocation for Leadership

• The prayer begins by invoking blessings for President Donald J. Trump, his family, advisers, and the nation as a whole on this inauguration day.

• A reference is made to King Solomon's supplications for wisdom in governance, emphasizing the need for integrity and justice in leadership.

• The speaker expresses gratitude for God's past interventions during Trump's presidency, highlighting faith in divine support.

Acknowledgment of Divine Sovereignty

• The prayer acknowledges God’s power to change leaders and grant wisdom, reinforcing the belief that true strength comes from divine guidance.

• A specific request is made for protection and guidance over President Trump, along with blessings for First Lady Melania Trump.

Reflection on National Identity

• The speaker reflects on America's history and its reliance on divine providence, urging citizens to remain focused on their faith.

• Emphasis is placed on the idea that America cannot regain greatness without turning towards God.

Administration of Oaths

• Justice Kavanaugh administers the vice presidential oath to James David Vance, marking a significant moment in the inauguration process.

• Chief Justice Roberts administers the presidential oath to Donald J. Trump, affirming his commitment to uphold the Constitution.

Conclusion of Ceremony

Biden's Vision for America

A New Era Begins

• Biden declares the start of a "Golden Age" for America, emphasizing national pride and global respect.

• He pledges to prioritize American sovereignty and safety, aiming to rebalance justice in the country.

• Expresses optimism about America's future, highlighting a transformative moment filled with potential.

Addressing National Challenges

• Discusses a crisis of trust in government due to years of corruption and mismanagement.

• Critiques the government's failure to protect citizens while providing sanctuary for criminals.

• Points out inadequacies in emergency response systems, citing recent disasters as examples.

Commitment to Change

• Promises immediate reforms in public health and education systems that currently fail citizens.

• Frames his election as a mandate to reverse past betrayals and restore faith in democracy.

• Declares an end to America's decline, vowing to restore integrity and loyalty within government.

Personal Reflections on Leadership

• Shares personal challenges faced during his presidency, including threats against his life.

• Emphasizes determination to work towards restoring hope and prosperity for all Americans.

Unity and Progress

• Celebrates the unification of diverse communities supporting his agenda post-election.

• Thanks various demographic groups for their support, indicating broad appeal across society.

• Honors Martin Luther King Jr. Day by committing to fulfill his dream of equality and unity.

Executive Actions Ahead

• Announces plans for executive orders aimed at restoring common sense governance.

Mexico Policy and National Security

Ending Catch and Release Practices

• The speaker announces the end of the "Catch and Release" policy, emphasizing a strong military presence at the southern border to combat what is described as an invasion.

• Cartels will be designated as foreign terrorist organizations under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, allowing for enhanced law enforcement actions against them.

Economic Measures and Energy Policy

• A national energy emergency is declared to address inflation caused by overspending and rising energy prices; a focus on drilling for oil is emphasized.

• Plans are outlined to restore America as a manufacturing nation by utilizing its vast oil reserves, aiming to lower prices and fill strategic reserves.

Trade System Overhaul

• An overhaul of the trade system will protect American workers by taxing foreign countries instead of citizens, establishing an External Revenue Service for tariff collection.

• The goal is to enrich American citizens through these tariffs, with a vision of revitalizing the American dream.

Government Efficiency and Free Speech

Establishing New Departments

• A new Department of Government Efficiency will be created to enhance federal government effectiveness.

Restoring Free Speech

• An executive order will halt government censorship efforts that restrict free expression, ensuring political opponents are not persecuted.

Military Policies and Social Issues

Military Focus on Core Mission

• The military's focus will return solely to defeating enemies without being subjected to radical political theories or social experiments during service.

Gender Policy Declaration

• Official recognition of only two genders (male and female), with plans to reinstate service members expelled over vaccine mandates.

Vision for Peace and National Identity

Commitment to Peacekeeping

• Emphasis on building a strong military while also focusing on peacekeeping efforts; success measured by wars avoided rather than just battles won.

Reclaiming National Pride

• Plans include reclaiming America's status as a powerful nation respected globally; changes such as renaming geographical features are proposed.

Addressing Historical Treaties

Revisiting Panama Canal Agreements

• Criticism of past decisions regarding the Panama Canal transfer; claims that agreements have been violated leading to unfair treatment towards U.S. ships.

Call for Courageous Action

Vision for Future Growth

Vision for America's Future

Ambition and Exploration

• The speaker emphasizes the ambition of America, likening it to a "Manifest Destiny" that drives the nation towards exploration, particularly in space, with aspirations to plant the American flag on Mars.

• Reflecting on American history, the speaker highlights how ancestors transformed colonies into a powerful republic through exploration and innovation.

Overcoming Challenges

• Acknowledges the historical struggles faced by Americans, including crossing rugged terrains and overcoming societal challenges like slavery and poverty.

• The speaker shares a personal narrative about defying odds to achieve political success, reinforcing the idea that in America, nothing is impossible.

Unity and Strength

• The speech honors past generations who fought for freedom and rights across various professions, emphasizing collective strength in overcoming obstacles.

• It expresses optimism for future achievements as long as Americans work together to restore national promise.

Commitment to Progress

• The speaker pledges support for families' dreams and emphasizes unity under God while promising to fight for every citizen's future.

• A call to action is made to rebuild America with compassion and exceptionalism while restoring respect globally.

Faith and Guidance

• The vision includes a strong commitment to sovereignty and independence while fostering bold dreams without barriers.

• Concludes with an affirmation of American identity as resilient individuals ready to embrace their future.

Benediction Prayers

• Rabbi Ari Burman leads prayers asking for guidance during this historic moment, invoking biblical values of life, liberty, service, sacrifice, faith, and morality.

• Emphasizes unity among Americans around foundational values amidst unrest in educational institutions.

Inauguration Prayer and Reflections

Invocation of Blessings

• The speaker expresses a desire for all humanity to experience divine love and blessings, invoking God's will.

• A prayer is offered for the newly inaugurated 47th president, emphasizing gratitude for his leadership during a pivotal time in America’s history.

Vision for Equality

• The prayer highlights the importance of equality, urging that individuals be judged by their character rather than skin color. This reflects a commitment to civil rights ideals.

Call for Freedom

• A passionate call is made for freedom to resonate across various American landscapes, symbolizing unity and hope throughout the nation. Specific locations are mentioned as places where freedom should ring out.

• The speaker invokes historical sentiments from an old spiritual, emphasizing collective liberation and gratitude towards God for freedom achieved.

Guidance for Leadership

• A plea is made for divine guidance over President Trump and Vice President Vance as they assume their roles, asking for wisdom and compassion in governance. This underscores the expectation of integrity in leadership.

• The speaker emphasizes the need for collaboration within government to foster dialogue over division, aiming to create a more unified nation amidst challenges ahead.

Hope and Resilience

• There is an appeal to comfort those feeling lost during this transition period, encouraging kindness and empathy among citizens as they face uncertainties together. This promotes community support as essential during times of change.

• The prayer concludes with a reflection on faith in goodness and potential change within society, reinforcing optimism about America's future under new leadership while honoring past influences on President Trump’s life from his parents.

Conclusion of Ceremony