Donald Trump sworn in as 47th US president, says scale of justice will be rebalanced

Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.

The inauguration of the new president took place at Capitol Rotunda in Washington DC. His running mate, JD Vance, was sworn in by Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

In his inaugural speech, Trump said the golden age of America begins right now, adding that he will end the weaponisation of the justice department.

“The scale of justice will be rebalanced and vicious, violent and unfair weaponisation of the justice department and government will end,” he said.

“From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer.”

Recollecting the assassination attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania while he was on the campaign trail, Trump said his “life was saved” by the grace of God to make America great again.

Trump has relayed religious imagery following the assassination attempt, with some of his supporters at the Republican National Convention viewing his survival as divine intervention.

Trump won the US presidential election on November 6, 2024, after exceeding the magic number of 270 electoral college votes by six extra points.

Kamala Harris, former vice-president, had 219 electoral college votes in the tightly contested poll.

The Republican has now made a return to the White House after serving as the 45th president of the US from 2017-2021.

The president said he would sign a number of executive actions on his first day in office to “reshape” America.