the new president promises Americans to give them back “their faith, their wealth, their democracy and even their freedom”

Noon had just struck in Washington, Monday January 20, when cannon fire greeted the swearing-in of Donald Trump. The country was entering a new era, under the leadership of a familiar actor. A 78-year-old man, vengeful and satisfied with his newfound power, both unpredictable and perfectly true to himself. The 45th President of the United States became the 47th, pledging to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution”under the gilt and marble of the rotunda, in the heart of the Capitol.

The ceremony was reduced and brought indoors due to subzero temperatures. The symbol was all the more powerful. Omitting to place his hand on the two Bibles held by his wife Melania – a book of which he nevertheless marketed his own version, printed in China – Joe Biden’s successor delivered an inauguration speech without ardor, but resonating forcefully in this high place of democracy, which its supporters had trampled and desecrated during the assault of January 6, 2021. Monday, these same rioters expected a presidential pardon as the correction of a supposed injustice and the conclusion of a rewriting of history.

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