WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Trump said a ‘tide of change is sweeping the country,’striking an optimistic note as he told Americans during his inaugural address Monday that the U.S. is beginning a ‘new era of national success,’ while declaring that the country’s ‘decline is over.’

Trump addressed the nation on Monday after taking the oath of office for the second time and being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. 

‘In recent years, our nation has suffered greatly. But we are going to bring it back and make it great again, greater than ever before. We will be a nation like no other, full of compassion, courage and exceptionalism. Our power will stop all wars and bring a new spirit of unity to a world that has been angry, violent, and totally unpredictable. America will be respected again and admired again, including by people of religion, faith, and goodwill,’ he said.

‘We will be prosperous, we will be proud, we will be strong, and we will win like never before. We will not be conquered. We will not be intimidated. We will not be broken, and we will not fail,’ he said. ‘From this day on, the United States of America will be a free, sovereign and independent nation. We will stand bravely. We will live proudly. We will dream boldly, and nothing will stand in our way. Because we are Americans. Their future is ours, and our golden age has just begun.’

‘During every single day of the Trump administration, I will very simply put America first,’ Trump said. 

Trump vowed that U.S. ‘sovereignty will be reclaimed, our safety will be restored. The scales of justice will be rebalanced. The vicious, violent and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and our government will end. And our top priority will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous and free.’ 

Trump promised that he would not use the government to go after political opponents, saying it was something he knew something about, a reference to his claims of persecution by the Biden administration.

‘My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal and all of these many betrayals that have taken place, and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and indeed their freedom from this moment on, America’s decline is over,’ Trump said. 

The president delivered his remarks from the Capitol Rotunda Monday due to an arctic blast that hit the nation’s capital, with frigid temperatures forcing the inaugural ceremonies to be moved indoors for the first time in four decades. He hammered the Biden administration, despite former President Joe Biden and former President Kamala Harris sitting just behind him.

‘As we gather today, our government confronts a crisis of trust. For many years, a radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens. While the pillars of our society lay broken and seemingly in complete disrepair, we now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home. While at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad. It fails to protect our magnificent, law-abiding criminals, many from prisons and mental institutions that have illegally entered our country from all over the world,’ he said.

He drew some of the loudest applause by saying that it will now be the official policy of the U.S. to only recognize two genders: male and female.

Trump, who won the Electoral College and popular vote, defeated Harris in a landslide. Trump was running against then-President Joe Biden, who was seeking re-election, until July 2024. But after the two debated for the first time, and after a disastrous performance by Biden, the incumbent was pressured by Democrat insiders to suspend his presidential bid. 

Biden made the announcement in a social media post and endorsed Harris to be the Democratic presidential nominee in his place, moving his vice president to the top of the ticket. 

The decision for Biden to drop out of the race came just days after the Republican National Convention (RNC) finished, and after Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, formally accepted the GOP nomination. 

But Trump, just days before accepting the Republican nomination, survived an assassination attempt at a rally on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania. During the event, Trump was showing off a chart highlighting how illegal immigration skyrocketed under the Biden-Harris administration. As he turned toward the chart, he was hit by a bullet that pierced the upper part of his right ear by the now-deceased would-be-assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks. 

Weeks later, in September, another would-be-assassin hid himself in the bushes at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida. The gunman, Ryan Wesley Routh, had an AK-47-style rifle pointing through the fence toward Trump as he was golfing. Trump was rushed off the golf course by U.S. Secret Service agents, unharmed.

Trump reflected on his near-death experience, and his unprecedented trials and legal battles throughout the 2024 campaign cycle. 

‘Over the past eight years, I have been tested and challenged more than any president in our 250-year history, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. The journey to reclaim our republic has not been an easy one, and that I can tell you. Those who wish to stop our cause have tried to take my freedom and indeed to take my life,’ Trump said. ‘Just a few months ago, in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear.’ 

He added: ‘But I felt then and believe even more so now, that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again.’ 

Trump, on his first day in office, is expected to take more than 200 executive actions – a massive, first wave of policy priorities focused on border security, energy, reducing the cost of living for American families, ending DEI programs across the federal government, and more, Fox News Digital exclusively reported. 

Trump said he will also deliver on his campaign promise to roll back the policies of his predecessor on his first day in office. Trump will end ‘catch and release’; pause all offshore wind leases; terminate the electric vehicle mandate; abolish the Green New Deal; withdraw from the Paris climate accord; and take several major steps to assert presidential control over the federal bureaucracy. 

‘Today, I will sign a series of historic executive orders. With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense. It’s all about common sense,’ Trump said on Monday.

The White House’s official website now lists Donald Trump as President and JD Vance as Vice President, declaring ‘America is Back.’ 

Pages detailing the work of ‘The Biden-Harris Administration’ were removed just moments after both Trump and Vance took the oath of office Monday.

Those who visit Whitehouse.gov are greeted with an image of Trump and the message ‘America is Back.’ 

‘Every single day I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body. I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve. This will truly be the golden age of America,’ it says under the message, followed by Trump’s signature. 

The updated administration section says ‘After a landslide election victory in 2024, President Donald J. Trump is returning to the White House to build upon his previous successes and use his mandate to reject the extremist policies of the radical left while providing tangible quality of life improvements for the American people.’ 

Next to JD Vance’s name, it says ‘In 2024, President Donald J. Trump extended JD the incredible honor of asking him to serve as the Vice-Presidential Nominee for the Republican Party. JD looks forward to serving with President Trump over the next four years as they work diligently to Make America Great Again.’

The website also has biographies of Melania Trump and Usha Vance, the First Lady and the Second Lady of the United States, and Trump’s cabinet.

In the ‘Issues’ section, the administration lists six priorities: End inflation and lower costs, tax cuts for American workers, secure America’s borders, restore peace through strength, American energy dominance and to make American cities safe again. 

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, marking his return to the Oval Office with a pledge to restore America to a ‘golden age.’

Trump addressed the nation after taking the oath of office for the second time and is expected to use his inaugural address remarks to call for a ‘revolution of common sense.’ 

‘I return to the presidency 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,’ Trump will say. ‘My message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigor, and the vitality of history’s greatest civilization.’

The president will deliver his remarks from the Capitol Rotunda Monday due to an arctic blast that hit the nation’s capital, with frigid temperatures forcing the inaugural ceremonies to be moved indoors for the first time in four decades. 

Trump, who won the Electoral College and popular vote, defeating now-former Vice President Kamala Harris in a landslide, has vowed that his second administration will bring ‘the golden age of America.’ 

Trump was running against President Biden, who was seeking re-election, until July 2024. But after the two debated for the first time, and after a disastrous performance by Biden, the incumbent was pressured by Democrat insiders to suspend his presidential bid. 

Biden made the announcement in a social media post and endorsed Harris to be the Democratic presidential nominee in his place, moving his vice president to the top of the ticket. 

The decision for Biden to drop out of the race came just days after the Republican National Convention (RNC) finished, and after Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, formally accepted the GOP nomination. 

But Trump, just days before accepting the Republican nomination, survived an assassination attempt at a rally on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania. During the event, Trump was showing off a chart highlighting how illegal immigration skyrocketed under the Biden-Harris administration. As he turned toward the chart, he was hit by a bullet that pierced the upper part of his right ear by the now-deceased would-be-assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks. Trump credits the chart for saving his life. 

But weeks later, in September, another would-be-assassin hid himself in the bushes at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida. The gunman, Ryan Wesley Routh, had an AK-47-style rifle pointing through the fence toward Trump as he was golfing. Trump was rushed off the golf course by U.S. Secret Service agents unharmed.

Trump, on his first day in office, is expected to take more than 200 executive actions – a massive, first wave of policy priorities focused on border security, energy, reducing the cost of living for American families, ending DEI programs across the federal government, and more, Fox News Digital exclusively reported. 

Trump will also deliver on his campaign promise to roll back policies from his predecessor’s administration on his first day in office. Trump will end ‘catch and release,’ pause all offshore wind leases; terminate the electric vehicle mandate; abolish the Green New Deal; withdraw from the Paris climate accord; and take several major steps to assert presidential control over the federal bureaucracy. 

Former President Barack Obama arrived at the U.S. Capitol on Monday for President-elect Trump’s inauguration ceremony without former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Obama was introduced at the ceremony and walked into the swearing-in ceremony inside the Capitol alone. The ceremony was moved indoors due to the intense cold.

Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush arrived alongside their spouses, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former first lady Laura Bush.

Michelle Obama’s absence from the inauguration came as no surprise, since the Obamas released a statement last week announcing that while the former president would be in attendance, the former first lady would not be in attendance.

The Obamas’ statement did not provide a reason as to why the former first lady was skipping the event. Michelle Obama also skipped former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral earlier this month.

A notable moment at Carter’s funeral came when Obama and Trump, who were seated next to each other, were seen chatting and laughing like old friends despite the history of political animosity between the Democratic former president and the returning Republican.

All three former presidents and their wives attended Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, including Hillary Clinton, after she lost the 2016 presidential election to Trump. Carter also attended.

Trump and former first lady Melania Trump did not attend President Biden’s inauguration in 2021.

Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is praising Donald Trump on Inauguration Day, calling him a ‘true friend’ of the country and thanking him for his efforts to secure the release of hostages from Hamas. 

‘On behalf of the people of Israel, I send my heartfelt congratulations to you, President Donald Trump on your inauguration as the 47th POTUS,’ Herzog wrote on X. 

‘You are a true friend of Israel. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and to building a better future for our region. A special thank you for your commitment to bringing all our hostages home,’ he continued. 

‘We wish you and your administration great success in your service to the American people. Good luck!’ Herzog added. 

The comments come a day after Hamas released to Israel three hostages it has been holding in captivity for nearly 500 days, as part of a cease-fire and hostage release agreement. 

In exchange, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners in the West Bank. 

‘Let’s face it, the fact that President Trump had a clear message, ‘By my inauguration, I want to see hostages coming out, or else there will be hell to pay,’ made a huge impact in the Middle East, and we are hopeful that with his leadership, we’re going to see all 98 hostages coming out starting today with the three female hostages,’ Ronen Neutra, whose son Omer was killed by Hamas terrorists, told Fox News on Sunday. 

Trump said last week, ‘This EPIC cease-fire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies.  

‘I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones,’ he had written on Truth Social. 

Fox News’ Taylor Penley contributed to this report. 

President Biden pardoned his siblings just minutes before leaving office on Monday.

The pardon applies to James Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John Owens, and Francis Biden, the White House announced. The president argues that his family could be subject to ‘politically motivated investigations’ after he leaves office.

‘I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics. But baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families,’ Biden said in a statement.

‘Even when individuals have done nothing wrong and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage their reputations and finances,’ Biden added.

The pardons come after House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer requested that Trump’s Justice Department investigate and prosecute James Biden for allegedly making false statements to Congress.

House Republicans in June sent criminal referrals for James Biden and Hunter Biden to the Justice Department recommending they be charged with making false statements to Congress about ‘key aspects’ of the impeachment inquiry of President Biden.

Biden issued another wave of pre-emptive pardons earlier Monday morning, those going to Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley and people associated with the House select committee investigation into January 6.

Biden had teased the possibility of issuing pre-emptive pardons weeks ago in an interview with USA Today. Biden’s pardons at the end of his term have proven to be some of his most controversial actions as president, particularly the pardon for his son, Hunter Biden.

Biden had repeatedly vowed that he would not intervene on his son’s behalf, but he issued a blanket pardon regardless. The president later claimed that he had broken the promise after finding out Hunter had paid his back taxes.

Biden’s pardon of Hunter was defended in some corners as a natural move from someone protecting his own family, but many prominent figures derided it as a craven flip-flop that would damage the White House and the president’s legacy.

‘Everyone looks stupid,’ Pod Save America co-host and ex-Obama aide Tommy Vietor said at the time. ‘Everyone looks like they are full of s—. And Republicans are going to use this to argue it was politics as usual when Democrats warned of Trump’s corruption or threat to the rule or the threat to democracy.’

This is a developing story. Check back soon for updates.

President Biden delivered a two-word message to President-elect Trump at the White House on Monday. 

‘Welcome home,’ Biden shouted to Trump, as the soon-to-be 47th president arrived outside the White House with his wife, Melania Trump. 

Trump walked up the steps and greeted Biden and first lady Jill Biden. The couples posed for photos, but did not answer questions shouted by the press. The Bidens and the Trumps turned around and entered the White House together to have tea. 

After the private tea concluded, Biden and Trump got into their motorcade and traveled together to the Capitol for the inauguration ceremony. Trump will be sworn in as president around noon ET. 

The two-word message mirrored the ‘welcome back’ Biden told Trump when the two met in the Oval Office on Nov. 13 following the Republican’s decisive victory over Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. 

The welcoming tone is a stark contrast to the combative nature of the June debate between Biden and Trump, as the Democratic president’s rocky performance ultimately led to him suspending his re-election campaign and Harris topping the ticket.

Just weeks later, Trump survived a July 13 assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, that sent shock waves through the 2024 election cycle. 

Over concern about Biden’s age and mental fitness, Democratic donors and insiders pushed for his ouster from the race, and Harris became the nominee without any primary. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was her vice presidential running mate. 

A new poll released on Inauguration Day reveals some of the most popular, as well as the least liked aspects, of President-elect Trump’s agenda. 

The survey conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research provides insight into the stances among U.S. adults on mass deportations, tariffs, potential pardons for Jan. 6 rioters and increased drilling of U.S. oil and gas, among other proposals brought by the soon-to-be 47th president on the 2024 campaign trail. The poll found that a sizable share of Americans hold a neutral view on parts of Trump’s agenda, signaling that public opinion could easily shift in coming weeks. 

The poll of 1,147 adults was conducted Jan. 9 through 13, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.

Mass deportations

Among his campaign promises, Trump has vowed to launch the largest deportation program in U.S. history. According to the AP-NORC poll, targeted deportations of immigrants who have been convicted of a crime would be popular among U.S. adults, even if they involved immigrants who are in the country legally. 

The poll found that about eight in 10 U.S. adults favor deporting all immigrants living in the U.S. illegally who have been convicted of a violent crime – including about two-thirds who are strongly in favor – and about seven in 10 support deporting all immigrants living in the U.S. legally who have been convicted of a violent crime. Yet, only four in 10 of U.S. adults are in support of deporting immigrants who are in the country illegally and have not been convicted of a crime, according to the survey.

Tariffs

Trump has also proposed sweeping tariffs on foreign goods imported into the United States, and the transition team reportedly has been working on a gradual roll-out plan aimed at off-setting the potential of inflation rising as a result. 

Almost half of U.S. adults ‘somewhat’ or ‘strongly’ oppose imposing a tariff, also referred to as an import tax, on all goods brought into the U.S. from other countries, according to the AP-NORC poll. 

The poll found that about three in 10 are in favor, and about one-quarter are neutral, saying they neither favor nor oppose this policy. The AP assesses that opinion could move in either direction if the tariffs are implemented.

Republicans are much likelier than Democrats and independents to support broad tariffs, but about four in 10 are either opposed or unsure. Just over half of Republicans favor imposing a tariff on all goods brought into the U.S.

Jan. 6 pardons

Trump indicated on the campaign trail that he would likely issue pardons for many of the more than 1,500 people charged in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. 

The AP-NORC poll found that about two in 10 U.S. adults ‘somewhat’ or ‘strongly’ favor pardoning most people who participated in the Capitol riot. 

Meanwhile, about six in 10 ‘somewhat’ or ‘strongly’ oppose the proposal, including half who are strongly opposed, and about two in 10 are neutral.

As for members of Trump’s party, the poll found that about four in 10 Republicans favor pardoning many of the Jan. 6 participants, while about three in 10 are neutral, and about three in 10 are opposed.

‘Drill Baby Drill’

Trump has vowed to establish American ‘energy dominance,’ often repeating the chant, ‘Drill, baby, dill’ at rallies while touting his plan to bring down energy costs by increasing U.S. oil and gas drilling, including on federal lands. 

But the AP-NORC poll found the majority of U.S. adults are split on the issue. About one-third of Americans ‘somewhat’ or ‘strongly’ favor increasing oil drilling on federal lands, while about 4 in 10 are opposed. 

The rest – about one-quarter – are neutral, saying they neither favor nor oppose increasing oil drilling on federal lands. 

Republicans broadly favor increasing oil drilling, but the proposal is not popular among Democrats or independents, according to the poll. 

Paris Climate Accords

Trump has indicated that he would pull out of the Paris climate agreement a second time once he takes office.

According to the AP-NORC poll, about half of Americans ‘somewhat’ or ‘strongly’ oppose withdrawing from the agreement. 

Only about two in 10 U.S. adults are ‘somewhat’ or ‘strongly’ in favor of pulling out of the deal aimed at reducing carbon emissions, while about one-quarter are neutral.

The AP assesses that most of the opposition comes from Democrats, but Republicans show some uncertainty as well. Slightly less than half of Republicans are in favor, while about three in 10 are opposed.

Title IX

A federal judge in Kentucky recently rejected the Biden administration’s attempt to redefine sex in Title IX as ‘gender identity,’ blocking the change nationwide.

The AP-NORC poll categorized Biden’s Title IX rewrite as promoting discrimination ‘protections’ for transgender or LGBTQ+ students, but the Trump campaign has highlighted stories from women and girl athletes who have spoken out about losing scholarship opportunities and feeling uncomfortable and unsafe when forced to compete against, or change in locker rooms with, biological males identifying as female. 

The survey found opposition is higher than support ‘for eliminating protections for transgender students’ under Title IX, the federal law that prohibits any high school or college that receives federal funds from discriminating on the basis of gender.

Almost half of U.S. adults ‘somewhat’ or ‘strongly’ oppose getting rid of these protections, while about three in 10 are in favor, and the rest are neutral, according to the survey. 

Eliminating the debt ceiling

Trump pressured lawmakers to raise or eliminate the national debt ceiling at the end of last year as Congress scrambled to reach a spending deal that averted a government shutdown. 

The poll found that about half of U.S. adults oppose eliminating the debt ceiling, while about one-quarter are in favor, and about three in 10 are neutral, signaling there could be room for public opinion to shift. 

Democrats are only slightly more likely than Republicans to oppose getting rid of the debt ceiling, according to the survey. 

Trump has also pushed for tax cuts for Americans, and notably coined the campaign slogan ‘No tax on tips.’ The poll found that just over half of U.S. adults favor eliminating taxes on earnings from tips. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., called out the hypocrisy of politicians attending inaugural festivities for President-elect Trump after having previously decried the Republican figure as a ‘threat to democracy.’

‘People are more upset at performers/artists attending Trump’s inaugural events but not upset at all the politicians who told them he was a ‘threat to democracy’ going to these events are not serious,’ the progressive congresswoman declared in a post on X. 

‘Performers at least know they are there to perform and get paid, but these politicians who ran their mouth for 4 yrs and are now willing to be there and clap for him, that’s who they should be mad at. They lied to you and your criticism/anger should be rightfully directed at them,’ she continued.

Omar suggested that performers should not be expected to have loyalty to a political party.

‘Also, no one should ask people who are performers/artists to be loyal to a party because that’s what dictatorships do. In a free country like ours, people should be able to support any party they want without having their livelihood compromised,’ the lawmaker concluded.

Fox News Digital emailed the Trump-Vance transition team and the Trump Vance Inaugural Committee on Monday to ask whether any of the performers at the inauguration ceremony or related celebrations are being paid. 

A committee spokesperson replied, stating that the committee did not pay for performances. 

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have both previously described Trump as ‘a threat to our democracy,’ but are expected to attend Trump’s inauguration ceremony.

Omar has previously described Trump as ‘an existential threat to our democracy.’ 

The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee announced that Carrie Underwood, Christopher Macchio, and Lee Greenwood will perform at the swearing-in ceremony. 

Various celebratory ball events will also feature performers, including Rascal Flatts and Parker McCollum at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, as well as Jason Aldean, The Village People, and Nelly at the Liberty Ball, and Gavin DeGraw at the Starlight Ball, according to the committee’s announcement.

President Biden plans to leave a letter to President-elect Trump before he departs the White House, according to a report, continuing the modern presidential tradition that first began with President Ronald Reagan.

Biden is expected to leave a note for his successor on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, CNN first reported.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for confirmation but did not immediately hear back.

Four years after succeeding Trump, Biden finds himself in the unique position, in both history and politics, of writing a letter to his successor who left a note for him four years ago.

Despite a history of bucking tradition during his first term as president, like attending Biden’s inauguration, Trump curiously continued this rite of presidential passage by writing a letter to Biden.

Biden said it was a ‘very generous letter,’ but has so far declined to share the content of what Trump wrote, deeming it private and saying he wouldn’t discuss it until he had a chance to speak with Trump. 

Trump has also declined to share details, saying he thought it was up to Biden to share the letter.

‘It was a nice note,’ Trump said during a September 2023 interview with NBC’s ‘Meet the Press,’ adding, ‘I took a lot of time in thinking about it.’

Trump had received what he has described as a ‘beautiful letter’ from his predecessor, President Barack Obama. 

Obama told Trump they were both blessed with good fortune, that American leadership ‘really is indispensable’ in the world, that they are the ‘guardians’ of democratic institutions and traditions, and that family and friends will see him through the ‘inevitable rough patches.’

When Trump takes office on Monday, he’ll be the first president to serve nonconsecutive terms since Grover Cleveland in the late 1800s, when the letter-writing tradition didn’t exist.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.