Donald Trump returns to power

(Washington) 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 and his wife for a courtesy visit, with more private than political connotations.

The 45^e (2017-2021) and soon 47^e President of the United States, and his great Democratic rival then left together for the Capitol, seat of the American Congress where the inauguration 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.

In the process, Donald Trump will sign a first round of decrees.

“Two sexes”

The Republican, according to whom the United States is threatened by an “invasion” of migrants as well as by progressive ideas, which he describes with the derogatory term “woke” ideology, will declare a state of emergency at the border with Mexico.

He will also order his administration to “recognize” the existence of only “two sexes,” senior officials of his future administration said.

Announcements on energy and the environment are also expected, as well as pardons for the Capitol attackers convicted following January 6, 2021.

The inauguration ceremony usually takes place outdoors, but the protocol was turned upside down due to the freezing temperatures.

In the absence of a large open-air gathering, thousands of Donald Trump supporters waited hours to access a room where their champion was to appear in the afternoon.

“He loves the United States 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,” Donald Trump assured Sunday during a final rally.

Vengeance

Throughout his campaign, he 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 them, former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Mark Milley, a virulent critic of Donald Trump, doctor Anthony Fauci, in the sights 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.”