Trump Inaugurated 47th President of the US

By NICK BAKER, CARLY CANSECO, JILLIAN CHENG, and WILLIAM INOUE

In the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, Donald Trump was sworn in a second time as the 47th President, with JD Vance as his Vice President. His inauguration entailed performances by the United States Marine Band, the Armed Forces Chorus, and the United States Naval Academy Glee Band. The Presidential Oath of Office and Vice Presidential Oath of Office were administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, respectively. 

The presidential inauguration has marked the beginning of each presidential term since George Washington’s election in 1789. It is enshrined in the Constitution that the incoming president takes the presidential oath of office during the inauguration, affirming that they will abide by the Constitution. It is also tradition for the incoming president to deliver an inaugural address, laying the foundation for what they hope to achieve during their term. Trump is joining President Grover Cleveland as only the second President in U.S. history to be elected to two non-consecutive terms.

Before Election Day in November, head of the History Department Betty Luther-Hillman hosted an assembly explaining the United States Electoral College. “I think the day has symbolic importance, especially when a new president is being inaugurated,” she said. “It shows the peaceful transfer of power, which is a concept that’s central to democracy. If leaders who lose elections or run out of terms refuse to step down peacefully and welcome a new leader, democracy cannot operate.” 

Prep Avni Murarka reiterated a similar sentiment. “I believe Inauguration Day serves as a time of celebration, not only for this incoming president or to celebrate what the previous president has done, but to celebrate our democracy and the fact that we can have a peaceful transfer of power.”

On the importance of the presidential inauguration, Instructor in History Bill Jordan noted, “One of the great things about our country is that people on opposing sides can be civil to each other and not treat each other as enemies, but as rivals … there’s certainly tension, but despite this everyone’s copacetic with each other.”

Luther-Hillman also noted the nuances and differences among presidential inaugurations. “I think it’s also interesting to see what other presentations the new president decides to include.  It’s not unusual to have a poetry reading or musical performance.”

Senior CJ Smith, co-head of Republican Club, described Trump’s inauguration coming at a time with multiple new domestic and international developments as hanging over the event: “I think he’s inheriting a world that’s become a lot more unstable in the past four years … back in 2017 [at the beginning of Trump’s first term] there were definitely fewer conflicts.” 

Co-heads of political clubs have also been working to create healthy discussions in their respective clubs on Trump’s inauguration and upcoming term. Maya Piluski, co-head of Democratic Club, has been actively working to reflect with Democratic Club members. “After the election happened, we were disappointed, but we’ve also been looking at why this was the result,” she stated. “We talked about the mistakes that we [Democrats] made. 

But we’ve also talked a lot about what’s important to voters right now and what his campaign and policies are aligned with voters.” 

Republican Club has been focused on discussing what Trump’s term may look like: “We’ve mainly been talking about what kind of policy or agenda he might want to build by [nominating] various people. How much influence will he have over them? How might they act in their own ways?” added CJ.

Co-head of Exeter Political Union upper Dylan Richardson has been working with his club from a more nonpartisan standpoint. “We’ve been doing a lot in the fall term to cover the election and campaigns from both sides.” 

Richardson and the other co-heads of Exeter Political Union organized a watch party live streaming the Inauguration and President Trump’s speech. Students lounged on leather couches, snacked on cookies and pizza, and discussed their opinions on the inauguration with their peers. 

“I enjoyed watching the inauguration with food and friends,” prep Theodore Stien said. “I felt very patriotic and proud to be an American.”

“I don’t know if I would have watched if there hadn’t been a watch party,” acknowledged lower Ciara O’Neill. “I’m glad they [hosted it] because I think it got more people to be more politically literate.”

Several enjoyed the performances throughout the inauguration. “I love Carrie Underwood, so hearing her sing America the Beautiful was amazing,” Murarka said. “The national anthem was also very beautiful. It tied everything together.”

In his speech, President Trump mentioned many recurring initiatives, including establishing strong borders, reducing costs for Americans, and reinvigorating America.

“Trump’s speech was very inspiring and made me look optimistically toward the future,” Stien said.

“I didn’t think Donald Trump said anything that he hadn’t already said,” said O’Neill. “I think it’s good, maybe in terms of transparency, that he’s publicizing those thoughts to a wider audience,” she admitted.

However, some believed that the livestream only exacerbated existing tensions within the community. “When people make it so obvious who they’re rooting for, and they show disdain towards people clapping for their chosen candidate being elected, that’s not respectful,” prep Sebastien Duarte commented. “Everyone has the right to their own political opinion, and you shouldn’t be judged for it.”

Overall, watching the 2025 inauguration was a fruitful experience for Exonians. Despite a tense political atmosphere, all acknowledged that they must respect others’ views, despite how polarizing they may seem to be. One of the co-heads of Democratic Club, Senior Rishi Gurudevan, concluded, “Though I’m certainly alarmed about the implications of this administration, I think it’s important for the peaceful transfer of power to respect this inauguration as you would any other.”