Inaugurations usually serve as a unifier between Republicans and Democrats by embracing the new transition of power. However, the second inauguration of Trump came after a contentious election season, emphasizing the deep divisions within the nation. However, unlike Trump, who did not attend Biden’s inauguration back in 2021, Biden attended Trump’s second inauguration to embrace a sense of unity prevalent in past inaugurations.
At the inauguration, JD Vance took an oath to become Vice President. Immediately after, Donald Trump took an oath to once again become the President of the United States of America.
One of the defining features of Trump’s second inauguration was the influence of corporate donations. Big corporations in the likes of Meta and Amazon contributed substantial amounts to the inauguration committee, aiming to align themselves with the policies of the newly elected president. This trend is not uncommon in contemporary inaugurations, as businesses seek to ensure their interests are prioritized in future policymaking. The donations were ultimately marked by fancy celebratory gatherings.
Government teacher Deninne Arnold reveals that “big waves are going to the balls…showing support for the President, regardless of who it is, because they want to be on the right side of policy.”
The inaugural festivities were lavish, featuring a series of events that celebrated Trump’s victory. During one of the balls, Trump was seen dancing with his wife Melania on stage.
The fundraising efforts were extensive, with notable corporations contributing millions to secure their visibility and influence. Critics claimed that financial backing compromises the integrity of democratic processes, as it can lead to favoritism toward corporations over the general population. The alliance between Trump and corporate America was evident in the guest lists at inaugural events, with billionaires such as Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos attending the event. Ultimately after celebrating his return to the presidency, Trump decided to immediately take action on one of the biggest issues he was coming to face: immigration.
“[Trump] issued a national emergency at the border…that really upset people with families,” revealed Arnold.
Within the first couple days back in office, Trump has already implemented a slew of executive orders to secure the border. He has also been given a bill to sign for the detainment of unauthorized immigrants accused of crimes. This goes in line with his plans to clampdown on illegal immigration, which he has mentioned as one of the top issues in the country throughout his campaign. On top of pushing stricter immigration laws after returning to the White House, the President has also pardoned about 1,500 supporters of his who were convicted for their actions in the Jan. 6 insurrection.
By already enacting heavy legislation and decisions within his first week in office, Trump is seeking to immediately turn around the government towards his agenda. With allies in Congress and a persisting support base, he has another chance to do so. And with the Republicans leading in both chambers of Congress, Trump can implement his policies with less resistance by the Democrats.
As Donald Trump heads into his second tenure as President, it will be interesting to see what objectives he’ll try to pursue ahead. Nevertheless, his decisions will impact not only domestic policies but international matters for the time he takes over the White House. With a tense political climate within the country and crucial global matters yearning to be solved, President Trump will be closely watched to see what he will do this time as Commander in Chief.
