1968 Wharton graduate Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term as President of the United States on Monday, marking the second time the Penn graduate has held the highest political office in the country.
Trump’s inauguration speech centered around the theme of broad sweeping, America-first change, which he claimed would mark an end to “America’s decline.” The speech also echoed his first inaugural address, where Trump described the state of the nation as “American carnage,” and promised he would be the one to usher in a new age.
For the first time, the ceremony took place in the Capitol Rotunda, where a limited audience of around 600 guests gathered to witness Trump and Vice President JD Vance take their oaths of office.
In his speech, Trump described the administration of former Penn professor and former President Joe Biden as “a radical and corrupt establishment,” and American society as “broken and seemingly in complete disrepair,” unable to “protect our magnificent law-abiding American citizens.” Trump claimed that these issues would be remedied by his administration and change would take place promptly following the start of his presidency.
“My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal and all these many betrayals that have taken place and give people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy and indeed their freedom," Trump said.
During the benediction at the ceremony, Rabbi Ari Berman asked for guidance for “schools and college campuses” who have been experiencing "unrest." Trump’s speech also briefly touched on the education system, claiming that it teaches children to be "ashamed of themselves" and to "hate our country."
The speech also touched on other policies and initiatives that have been the cornerstone of his presidential campaign, such as increased troop presence at the southern border, a promise to end the Green New Deal, a declaration of a national energy emergency, and an official U.S. policy that there are only two genders.
Trump recognized the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which was announced on Jan. 19, and said that he hoped to be a “peacemaker.” He also announced his desire to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” and vowed to take back the Panama Canal.
Trump acknowledged that the ceremony was taking place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, thanking Black and Hispanic voters with whom he had a record turnout.
“In [Martin Luther King Jr.’s] honor, we will strive together to make his dream a reality,” he said. "We will forge a society that is color blind and merit-based.”
Trump was sworn in by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts just after noon, becoming the second President to ever serve nonconsecutive terms in office. Vance took his oath — which was administered by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh — moments before Trump.
College junior and Penn College Republicans political director Peter Kapp told The Daily Pennsylvanian that the group was excited by Trump’s inaugural address, and is confident that the president will keep his campaign promises.
Kapp added that although Trump can be “unpredictable," he delivered a strong, “ideologically consistent” message today.
"We're excited for a new age, where common sense prevails," he said.
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