After 4 years of the Biden-Harris Administration, Donald Trump, who won the 2024 election, was sworn in on January 20th, 2025. This day marked Trump’s return to the White House after his defeat in the 2020 Election to Joe Biden. Donald Trump arrives with high expectations, and now it’s up to him to change the gears of the country. JD Vance was also sworn in that very same day as Vice President.
Before the Inauguration, during the 2nd week of January, the Senate began their confirmation process for various nominees Donald Trump chose, including Pete Hegseth, Marco Rubio, and Pam Bondi. Pete Hegseth’s confirmation was controversial because of the allegations made against him weeks before the Senate hearings.
The Inauguration took place inside the Capitol Rotunda after a last-minute decision was made to hold the ceremony inside due to the freezing temperatures, a record that has not been seen since Ronald Reagan’s inauguration in 1985. On the same day of the Inauguration, the Bidens welcomed President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump; the same was followed for JD Vance, whom Former VP Kamala Harris welcomed.
Shortly after, the Bidens and the Trumps headed to the Capitol. This tradition was missed in 2021. At Biden’s inauguration, Donald Trump skipped the traditional ceremony of attending his successor’s inauguration and held a farewell rally.
Back to the Trump Inauguration, Trump was sworn in after noon and gave a fiery speech, promising the Golden Age for America. Trump stated that one of his main goals is to make the country proud, prosperous, and free again, and blamed his predecessor’s policies for what he described as a period of decline. Trump repeated messages that he repeated during his campaign, such as putting America first, cracking down on immigration, and boosting the economy. He also said his administration would focus on restoring national pride and unity.
Trump discussed his assassination attempt during the 2024 campaign, saying he believes he was spared “for a reason. “I was saved by God to make America great again,” he said. He portrayed his return to the White House as a comeback against the odds and thanked Americans for supporting him. Throughout the speech, Trump emphasized his determination to fight against what he described as government failures and to protect American values.
Trump also announced several immediate executive actions, including tougher immigration policies, restarting oil drilling efforts, and tariffs to protect U.S. industries. Trump also plans to declare a national energy emergency and support those who lost their military jobs due to the COVID-19 vaccine rules. Donald Trump also “confirmed that he would change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.” Trump stated that Denali, “the highest mountain peak in North America, would be renamed Mount McKinley.” The U.S. recognized the mountain as Mount McKinley, named for President William McKinley, in 1917. But in 2015, under the Obama administration, it was restored to Denali, the traditional Native Alaskan name. He ended his speech with a bold space vision of putting the American flag on Mars, with support from tech leaders like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. The following is a link to the full inaugural address delivered by President Donald Trump.
What did Trump sign on Day One?
Some of the executive orders signed by Donald Trump included revoking actions made by Biden on climate change. Trump also withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement for a second time. In this agreement, countries around the world agreed to cut emissions, to limit the impact of climate change, and reduce future consequences. NPR reported that Trump has argued the agreement imposes too many burdens on the American economy, and first withdrew the U.S. during his first term in office. The U.S. officially rejoined the international treaty to limit global warming under President Joe Biden in 2021.”
Donald Trump also signed various executive orders in front of a large crowd of supporters at Capital One Arena. Trump said he will be signing orders that people will love and be happy to read in the newspaper in the coming days. “Trump signed executive orders: rescinding 78 Biden era executive actions; imposing a regulatory freeze in some federal agencies; imposing a hiring freeze for federal agencies; notifying the United Nations we are withdrawing from the Paris Climate Treaty; directing the federal government to restore “freedom of speech and preventing government censorship of free speech going forward.” These are just a few that Trump signed while at the Arena.
President Trump has canceled a wide range of executive orders, including one from President Biden that banned offshore oil and gas drilling in large areas of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Bering Sea. While Trump wants to open these waters to drilling, a previous court ruling from his first term suggests that such protections may be permanent under a 1953 law unless Congress or the courts say otherwise. Oil industry groups still plan to challenge the ban in court, arguing Trump has the power to reverse it. Although drilling won’t happen soon, industry leaders want to keep future expansion options open as other oil-rich areas like the Gulf of Mexico may eventually run out.
On day one, President Trump began the process of pulling the U.S. out of the World Health Organization (WHO), following through on a campaign promise and citing the agency’s poor handling of COVID-19 and alleged bias toward China. The withdrawal, which will take a year, is significant because the U.S. is the WHO’s largest financial donor, contributing over $1.2 billion in 2022–2023. Critics warn the move could hurt U.S. national security by limiting access to crucial global health data, while supporters argue that there are ways the United States can still lead in global health after the departure from WHO.
Many other crucial moments took place on Inauguration Day. If you wish to continue reading, here is the link from NPR. The above information was a summary of the executive orders signed by President Trump, which are likely to face legal challenges and controversy.
Brief History of US Inaugurations
Since we’re talking about the Trump inauguration, let’s briefly highlight the first inauguration back in 1789. George Washington was sworn in as the first president in New York City, the nation’s first capital. Originally, Congress had set the date of March 4th, 1789, for when the new government would begin its responsibilities. However, this was not the case as, due to the winter climate, the congressmen needed to certify the election arrived on April 6th: “Whereby it appears that George Washington, Esq. Was unanimously elected President, –and John Adams, Esq. Was duly elected Vice President of the United States of America…”
After Washington learned he had been unanimously elected, he traveled from his home in Virginia to New York City, while Congress would settle on the official title of “President of the United States.” On April 30, 1789, amid celebrations and large crowds, Washington took the oath of office at Federal Hall with his hand on a Bible, adding the phrase “So help me God,” starting a tradition that has continued since.
Many key traditions of U.S. presidential inaugurations began with George Washington’s first swearing-in, including the delivery of an Inaugural Address. In 1793, the tradition of a Supreme Court Justice administering the oath also began. When Thomas Jefferson was sworn in as president in Washington, D.C., he added to the customs by walking to the Capitol for the ceremony and later riding horseback to the President’s House in a modest celebration, which would evolve into the modern Inaugural Parade.
Jefferson’s second inauguration also introduced the Inaugural Open House, where citizens could greet the president at the White House. This tradition became so popular that it overwhelmed Andrew Jackson’s inauguration in 1829, which forced him to escape from a window. As crowds grew, presidents like Grover Cleveland would adjust the format by reviewing troops instead and thus adding more ceremony to the day.
Presidential celebrations have also grown over the years. George Washington danced at his Inauguration in 1789, while James Madison hosted the first official Inaugural Ball. As public interest expanded, so did the number and size of these events—some presidents even held multiple balls. Today’s Inaugural festivities are much larger and more inclusive, reflecting both the personality of the new president and the American public’s desire to take part in this historic occasion.
If you wish to continue reading more about the traditions behind the Presidential Inaugurations, check the following link. This article contains great information about technology, including the first ceremony to be photographed, which was the Inauguration of James Buchanan.
Biden’s Legacy
What legacy does Joe Biden leave behind? I think it’s interesting to view his work during the past 4 years, regardless of your views. Did Biden keep his promises that allowed him to be elected back in 2020? Well, here is an insight from BBC News, which I will be summarizing, but I will also leave the link to the article for you to fact-check.
One of the things that made Biden stand out as a candidate was the fact that he had always dreamed of being President one day. Biden initially ran for President back in 1987. He would eventually drop out of the race. What did Biden say concerning his legacy, leading up to the Inauguration? Here is a direct statement from him: “I hope that history says that I came in and I had a plan how to restore the economy and reestablish America’s leadership in the world,” Biden stated in a televised interview. “And I hope it records that I did it with honesty and integrity; that I said what was on my mind.”
With Biden exiting the White House, his approval rating was at its lowest: Gallup reported that only 39% approved of Biden’s mandate, a decline from 57% at the start of his term.. Biden came into office facing enormous challenges: COVID-19, economic instability, and political polarization. He succeeded in passing major legislation like the American Rescue Plan and a historic infrastructure bill, rebuilt international alliances such as NATO, and appointed a diverse slate of federal judges.
Yet these achievements will likely be overshadowed, considering Biden is the bridge between Trump from 2016 and the recently reelected Trump. As Politico commented, the Biden team was struck by events that were either in their control or not: “Many of the most damaging developments were entirely predictable, however – and, in fact, predicted – yet the president and his administration appeared to be caught flat-footed.” From the withdrawal from Afghanistan and rising inflation to struggles at the southern border and the end of Roe v. Wade protections, the administration often appeared unprepared or reactive rather than proactive. The White House also faced criticism over its messaging and internal communication. While Biden’s experienced team secured legislative wins early on, their effectiveness waned over time, and infighting grew as approval ratings fell.
Investigations and an impeachment inquiry by Republicans further distracted the administration’s goals. Biden’s age and cognitive sharpness became major concerns in recent months, highlighted by Special Counsel Robert Hur’s description of him as “an elderly man with a poor memory” and a disastrous debate performance that eventually forced Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race. Throughout his presidency, Biden’s team struggled to bridge the gap between long-term policy achievements and the immediate concerns of everyday Americans. Initiatives like “Bidenomics” aimed to highlight economic recovery, but this failed to resonate with voters, who still felt the effects of inflation. Meanwhile, Biden’s continued support of Israel after the October 7 Hamas attack and his son Hunter Biden’s legal troubles added more weight to an already burdened presidency.
Ultimately, Biden’s decision to run for a second term, instead of passing the torch, may have cost him a more dignified legacy. After dropping out of the race, Kamala Harris would become the nominee but eventually lost the election to Trump, marking a final electoral rejection of Biden’s leadership. Biden’s legacy, once filled with potential, now rests in the hands of historians, as Trump prepares to reverse much of what Biden accomplished during his four years in office.
Let’s dive into understanding the promises Joe Biden kept during his 4 years at the White House. The following information was gathered from an article by The Conversation. One of Biden’s most notable successes was his administration’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Coming into office during a surge of cases, Biden established a clear strategy and oversaw a vastly improved vaccine rollout, which addressed previous supply issues and increased vaccination rates. His approach brought much-needed stability compared to the disorganized response under the Trump administration. Public approval of Biden’s COVID-19 strategy was relatively high, especially among Democrats, although partisan divisions were present.
Biden’s foreign policy was largely defined by his unwavering support for Ukraine following the Russian invasion in 2022. His administration provided continuous military and financial assistance to Ukraine, reinforcing U.S. leadership among NATO allies. Despite growing opposition from Republicans in Congress, Biden’s Ukraine strategy was generally supported by the American public and widely viewed as a demonstration of the U.S. commitment to democratic values and international stability.
Back home, Biden made major strides in healthcare by significantly expanding access to affordable coverage. Under his leadership, nearly 25 million Americans enrolled in plans during the 2025 open enrollment period—more than double the number during Trump’s final year. This expansion was fueled by the American Rescue Plan, which increased subsidies and capped premiums for middle-income families. However, the long-term fate of the Affordable Care Act remains uncertain, especially with renewed Republican efforts to weaken it. On the economic front, Biden presided over historic job growth. Every month of his presidency saw job creation, with more than 2.2 million jobs added in his final year alone. Major legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal and the CHIPS and Science Act fueled job creation and technological investment, positioning the U.S. for long-term economic resilience. Nevertheless, the administration did fail to resolve one of America’s top concerns: inflation. With an average annual inflation rate of 5.4%, many voters remained skeptical of Biden’s economic leadership, especially as rising prices outpaced wage growth for much of his term.
So, what were some of the downsides the Biden administration faced? Well, the Biden administration faced criticism over its handling of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Though the decision to exit was made during the Trump presidency, Biden oversaw an abrupt evacuation in August 2021. The operation, marked by tragic images and confusion, drew strong public and international criticism. While most Americans supported ending the war, they disapproved of how it was executed, damaging Biden’s credibility in foreign affairs.
Immigration was another major point of contention. Biden entered office promising immigration reform, which included a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants through the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021. However, Republican opposition and internal party divisions stalled these efforts. The situation at the southern border remained a persistent political liability, with high numbers of illegal crossings and inconsistent policy responses ultimately contributing to a steady decline in public trust on this issue.
One of the most controversial aspects of Biden’s presidency was his decision to remain in the 2024 presidential race despite concerns over his age, declining energy, and debate performances. After the disastrous debate performance in June 2024 and pressure from donors and party leaders, Biden eventually ended his campaign. However, critics argued that his reluctance to step aside earlier damaged the Democratic Party’s chances and possibly hurt Biden’s legacy. It can also be said that the image of a struggling president holding onto office became a lasting symbol of Biden’s final months in power.
Conclusion
It’s difficult to predict what the future holds for us, but we have a great nation ahead of us. However, there will be significant challenges that will arise during Trump’s 2nd term. Immigration and the economy are just one of many issues the Trump administration will attempt to solve in the next 4 years, and how they respond to them will likely be controversial. All we wish for the new administration is peace, to uphold the law, and defend all rights.
I will also leave these two articles from Politico here for you to check and understand in full the legacy Joe Biden leaves behind. One of the articles asks historians and their predictions for Biden’s legacy. The other article covers how Biden lost his legacy. Time will tell how history judges Biden on his accomplishments. Will history be nice and understanding, or will future historians criticize Biden too harshly?
