WASHINGTON, Jan 20 (AFP): Donald Trump pronounced the start of a "golden age" in the United States after taking the oath for a historic second term as president on Monday, using his inaugural speech to lash out at what he described as a "broken" society that he would rescue.
"The golden age of America begins right now. From this day forward our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world," Trump said in the US Capitol, where his inauguration was held indoors due to chilly weather.
While promising renewal, Trump's tone was characteristically dark, denouncing what he said had been a "betrayal" of Americans by a "radical and corrupt establishment." T"I will declare a national emergency at our southern border" with Mexico, Trump said to loud cheers from supporters inside the ornate Rotunda hall, vowing to deport "millions and millions" of illegal immigrants.
Behind the pomp and ceremony, the billionaire is kickstarting his nationalist, right-wing agenda with a barrage of around 100 executive orders undoing Biden's legacy.
Trump will give the US military a key role on the frontier, and end birthright citizenship, as he seeks clamp down on undocumented migrants, an official from his incoming administration said.
Trump said he would withdraw the US from the historic Paris climate agreement, dealing a blow to worldwide efforts to slow global warming following the hottest year on record.
Trump reiterates the Panama Canal has been given "foolishly" to Panama. He claims China is "operating" the critical waterway, "and we didn't give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we're taking it back."
Trump says he will declare a national energy emergency, citing an inflation crisis "caused by massive overspending and escalating energy prices."