Donald Trump delivers inaugural speech after being sworn in as 47th US president – live | Donald Trump inauguration

Trump quickly shifted to airing his own grievances, vowing an end to the “weaponization” of the justice department.

The president and his allies have used the word to accuse the justice department under Joe Biden of pursuing politicized prosecutions.

“Our sovereignty will be reclaimed, our safety will be restored. The scales of justice will be rebalanced,” Trump said. “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. America will soon be greater, stronger and far more exceptional than ever before.”

Donald Trump immediately struck a nationalistic tone in his inaugural address, vowing to “put America first”.

“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, I will, very simply, put America first,” he said.

Donald Trump has stepped up to the podium in the Capitol rotunda for the inaugural address that will kick off his second term in the White House.

We soon expect Donald Trump to make his second inaugural address.

The president is expected to shift his tone from the “American carnage” speech he delivered in 2017, when he began his first term. Here’s more:

After being sworn in, Trump shook hands with John Roberts, who has served as chief justice of the high court since 2005.

The president then shook hands with Joe Bidenwho smiled.

Donald Trump has been sworn in for his second term as president of the United States.

Supreme court chief justice John Roberts administered the oath.

The rotunda broke into applause after JD Vance was sworn in.

Trump whispered something into his ear.

JD Vance has been sworn in as vice-president of the United States.

Supreme court justice Brett Kavanaugha conservative appointed by Trump in 2018, administered the oath.

We’re now hearing an invocation from evangelist Franklin Graham.

“Mr President, the last four years, there are times I’m sure you thought it was pretty dark, but look what God has done,” he said, to applause.

Republican senator Deb Fischer, another member of the inaugural committee, also spoke about the moment:

Today is our country’s 60th inauguration ceremony. Like all the others before it, it is a celebration of our right to set our uniquely American course. The past several years have been trying at times for many, many Americans, and also for the nations of the free world that we humbly strive to lead. In November, Americans chose again to steer this nation towards greatness, the secure, safe and prosperous future that our founders envisioned for all of us, and today, we celebrate not only their decision to do so, but also the simple right and wisdom of a free people to make their own choice so that their nation might endure.

Democratic senator Amy Klobuchar, who chairs the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, gave some brief remarks to the US government leaders, past and present, gathered in the Capitol for Donald Trump’s swearing in:

There is a reason this ceremony takes place at the Capitol. In other countries, it might be in a presidential palace or a gilded executive office building. Here, it is traditionally held at the Capitol, the people’s house. It is a fitting reminder of the system of checks and balances that is the very foundation of our government: three equal branches of government.

That is how, for nearly 250 years, our great American experiment, grounded in the rule of law, has endured. So, as we inaugurate a new president and vice-president, let us remember that the power of those in this room comes from the people, the construction workers who build our country, the teachers and health care workers who nurture us, the troops defending our freedoms and yes, the firefighters in Los Angeles putting themselves on the line for us. Our democracy’s strength and grit must match theirs. May God bless our nation.

In what is perhaps his final official action as president, Joe Biden has issued preemptive pardons to members of his family, and commuted the life sentence of jailed Indigenous rights activist Leonard Peltier.

In a statement regarding his family, Biden said:

My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me—the worst kind of partisan politics. Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end.
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. 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. That is why I am exercising my power under the Constitution to pardon James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens, and Francis W. Biden. The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that they engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense.

Of Peltier, Biden said:

The President is commuting the life sentence imposed on Leonard Peltier so that he serves the remainder of his sentence in home confinement. He is now 80 years old, suffers from severe health ailments, and has spent the majority of his life (nearly half a century) in prison. This commutation will enable Mr. Peltier to spend his remaining days in home confinement but will not pardon him for his underlying crimes.
Mr. Peltier is a Native American activist who is currently serving life in prison for killing two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and escaping from federal prison. Tribal Nations, Nobel Peace laureates, former law enforcement officials (including the former U.S. Attorney whose office oversaw Mr. Peltier’s prosecution and appeal), dozens of lawmakers, and human rights organizations strongly support granting Mr. Peltier clemency, citing his advanced age, illnesses, his close ties to and leadership in the Native American community, and the substantial length of time he has already spent in prison.

In 2023, Peltier spoke to the Guardian about his hopes for clemency from Biden:

Donald Trump has walked into the Capitol rotunda to be sworn in as 47th president of the United States.

He’s being greeted by loud applause and chants of “USA! USA!” Now, he’s standing next to JD Vanceand across the aisle from Joe Biden.

JD Vance just walked in to the Capitol rotunda to be sworn in as vice-president.

He was followed by the Republican and Democratic leaders of Congress.