In a historic event, Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025, marking his return to the White House for a second term. The ceremony took place inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda Building in Washington, D.C., where Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath of office to Trump.
Trump’s Vice President, J.D. Vance, was sworn in first by Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Vance recited his oath, saying, “I, James David Vance, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”
Trump’s oath followed, with him stating, “I, Donald John Trump, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, so help me God.”
Trump’s return to the presidency is notable as he becomes the second American president to serve two non-consecutive terms, following Grover Cleveland. His victory over Democratic rival Kamala Harris in the November 5 election was marked by a strongman persona and a vision of an all-powerful presidency.
In his inaugural address, Trump declared, “The golden age of America begins right now. 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 during every single day of the Trump administration.”
Trump’s background includes a diverse career as a businessman, media personality, and politician. Born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York, Trump graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968. He became president of the Trump family real estate business in 1971 and focused on luxury accommodations. Trump first served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
