His first decisions will target migrants and transgender people: Donald Trump, at the height of his political power, will be inaugurated as president of the United States on Monday.
“Welcome home,” said his successor and soon-to-be predecessor, Joe Biden, welcoming him for a courtesy visit, with more private than political connotations.
The 45e (2017-2021) and soon 47e President of the United States and his great Democratic rival then left together for the Capitol, seat of the American Congress, where the induction ceremony will take place, in the bitter cold of a sunny January morning.
Joe Biden has been forced, since the Republican billionaire’s victory in the November 5 election, to organize a civil transition with a man who has continued to humiliate him.
The kindness shown Monday by the two leaders contrasts strikingly with the departure four years ago of Donald Trump, enraged by his defeat, to the point of shunning the swearing-in of his Democratic rival.
“Democracy in action”
“This is democracy in action,” said outgoing vice-president and unsuccessful candidate Kamala Harris, welcoming her successor, JD Vance.
Donald Trump will become president of the world’s leading power around noon Washington time. He will also, at 78 years old, be the oldest American head of state ever inaugurated.
He will swear to protect the Constitution under the dome of the Capitol, the same place where on January 6, 2021, his supporters tried to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s victory.
At the forefront of this unprecedented political “comeback”: former American presidents, big bosses of American tech, the now essential Elon Musk, as well as far-right leaders or personalities invited in a personal capacity.
“Two sexes”, state of emergency for the border
In the process, Donald Trump will sign a first round of decrees.
The Republican, according to whom America is threatened by an “invasion” of migrants as well as by progressive ideas, which he describes with the pejorative term “woke” ideology, will declare a state of emergency at the border with Mexico.
He will also order his government to “recognize” the existence of only “two sexes”, senior officials of this future government said.
-Announcements on energy and the environment are also expected, as well as pardons for the Capitol attackers convicted following January 6, 2021.
The ceremony usually takes place outside, but the protocol was turned upside down due to the freezing temperatures.
In the absence of a large gathering on the Mall, the historic esplanade in the center of Washington, thousands of supporters of Donald Trump waited hours to access a huge room where their champion is due to appear in the afternoon.
“He loves America and he is the perfect man for this job,” rejoiced Alexx Rouse, 32, from Texas.
“Tomorrow at noon, the curtain will fall on four long years of American decline,” he assured Sunday during a final rally.
Vengeance
Throughout his campaign, Donald Trump promised to take “revenge” on his political opponents.
Faced with this threat, Joe Biden, a few hours before leaving power, decided to grant preventive pardons to a series of “servants of the State” risking, according to him, “unjustified legal proceedings”.
Among those affected are former Defense Chief of Staff Mark Milley, a vocal critic of Donald Trump, doctor Anthony Fauci, in the crosshairs of Trumpists for having orchestrated the American response to the COVID-19 pandemic. , as well as parliamentarians who investigated the assault on the Capitol.
In 2017, the first inauguration speech of the former real estate developer and television host, in which he promised to put an end to the “carnage” caused by progressive ideas, stunned the world.
According to the Wall Street Journalhis speech on Monday will be less somber. He should advocate for a “common sense revolution” and promise an “era of success.”
