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An oath of office and a new U.S. president Donald Trump

By Associated Press, adapted by
Newsela staff 01.23.17
(From left) First lady Melania Trump, President
Donald Trump, Major General Bradley Becker,
Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen,
review troops on the East Front of the Capitol in
Washington, D.C., January 20, 2017, during the
presidential inauguration. Photo by: Michael
Heiman/Pool Photo via AP

WASHINGTON, D.C. Donald

Trump took office as the 45th
president of the United States on
Friday. He took the oath of office at his inauguration. He promised to help America's
"forgotten men and women" as president. The Republican Party, to which Trump
belongs, now controls the White House for the first time in eight years.
In his inaugural speech, Trump painted a grim picture of the nation he now leads. He
promised to create "new national pride." He said he would bring jobs back to the United
States. He also promised to end terrorism.
"From this day forward, it's going to be only, 'America First,'" Trump said in a 16-minute
address to the nation.

Presidential Oath And Promises

Trump took the presidential oath and promised to serve the country and protect the U.S.
Constitution. He placed his hand on two Bibles for the swearing-in. One of the Bibles
was used by his family. The other was used at President Abraham Lincoln's
inauguration more than 150 years ago. Light rain began to fall as the new president
stepped forward to give his speech.
Trump defeated both Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton, both related to past presidents, in
the election to become president. His victory was a blast of fresh air for millions of
people. For millions of others, it was a disgrace.
Trump has called for laws to limit who can enter the United States. He has also said
terrible things about women and people of color while running for president. These facts
have made millions of people very angry.
Crowds came to the nation's capital to see the inauguration. But not everyone came.
Many lawmakers who are members of the Democratic Party refused to attend the

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inauguration. One member who did attend was Hillary Clinton. Many people had
expected Clinton to be the winner of the election.

Focusing On The Economy, War And Health Care

At 70 years old, Trump is the oldest person to become president. This marks a big
change after Barack Obama's two terms in the White House. Obama was one of the
youngest U.S. presidents.
Trump takes charge of a troubled nation. The economy is stronger but many businesses
are still struggling and millions of people are unemployed. The nation's longest war
continues to be fought in Afghanistan and U.S. soldiers are battling the violent Islamic
State group in the Middle Eastern countries of Iraq and Syria.
During Obama's years in office, the American health care system changed and millions
more people were able to get medical care. However, the costs of these changes have
been great. Trump has promised to end the Affordable Care Act. He has said he will
build a better health care system in its place.
Trump is the first president to take office without ever having been a lawmaker or a
soldier. His advisers are mostly established politicians and rich business leaders. Many
Republicans have supported his team and its message. Others have been concerned
that Trump's advisers are too white and not diverse enough.

Crowds Seem Smaller Than Past Years

Officials had expected hundreds of thousands of people to attend the inauguration. But
fewer were present than at past celebrations. There were protests at various places
near the Capitol as police helped ticket-holders get to the event.
All of the living American presidents attended the swearing-in ceremony, except for
92-year-old George H.W. Bush, who is in the hospital.
Trump began the day with a morning church service with his family. Then he and his
wife, Melania, had tea at the White House with the Obamas.
The two couples greeted each other with handshakes and hugs. Mrs. Trump presented
Mrs. Obama with a gift. The Trumps and Obamas then traveled together to the Capitol
for the swearing-in ceremony.