At 12:00 on January 20, US time (0:00 on January 21, Vietnam time), President Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts presided over the oath-taking ceremony. President Donald Trump swore: "I do solemnly swear 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!" The oath of office of the US President is clearly stated in Article II, Section 1 of the US Constitution. From President George Washington to President Donald Trump, US presidents have recited the same oath at their inaugurations.
Just before Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony took place at 12:00 noon ET on January 20 (0:00 a.m. on January 21, Vietnam time), US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcomed President-elect Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to the White House. "Welcome home," President Joe Biden said when welcoming Donald Trump to the White House.
President-elect Donald Trump and President Joe Biden then shared a limousine from the White House to the US Capitol to attend the inauguration ceremony.
Crowds of guests have settled into the Rotunda at the Capitol for President Trump's inauguration.
Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar, chairwoman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, emphasized the importance of the peaceful transfer of power in her remarks at the Capitol. “Welcome to the 60th presidential inauguration. Today, President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance will be sworn in. And we will witness the peaceful transfer of power, which is the core of our democracy,” Klobuchar said.
Let's look back at the journey from the US presidential election on November 5, 2024 to now.
November 6, 2024: Donald Trump quickly emerges as the winner of the presidential race. His Republican Party also takes control of the Senate. “America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate,” he said to a cheering crowd in Florida.
November 7, 2024: President Joe Biden addresses the nation, pledging an orderly transfer of power.
November 10, 2024: Donald Trump begins announcing cabinet nominees. One of the first nominees is former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director Tom Homan to be in charge of deporting immigrants who are in the United States illegally.
November 12, 2024: Donald Trump appoints billionaire Elon Musk to co-head the newly created Government Performance Board.
November 13, 2024: Donald Trump nominates Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and Congressman Matt Gaetz as Attorney General.
Republicans also won control of the House of Representatives, completing the political triumvirate.
President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden meet at the White House.
November 14, 2024: Donald Trump delivers his first post-election speech at a gala at Mar-a-Lago, preceded by a stage appearance by actor Sylvester Stallone. He praises his latest cabinet picks and teases Elon Musk about his surprise stay at the beach resort.
November 20, 2024: Donald Trump arrives in Texas to watch SpaceX launch by Elon Musk.
November 21, 2024: Matt Gaetz withdraws from the Attorney General nomination after facing opposition from Republican senators over his past behavior. Donald Trump chooses Pam Bondi as his replacement.
November 22, 2024: Donald Trump chooses famous investor Scott Bessent as Secretary of the Treasury.
November 25, 2024: Donald Trump announces a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, and “an additional 10% tariff on any additional tariffs” on imports from China.
January 6, 2025: Vice President Kamala Harris presides over a joint session of Congress to count the electoral votes, declaring Donald Trump the winner.
January 20, 2025: Donald Trump and JD Vance are sworn in as President and Vice President of the United States.
