On Monday, January 20th, 2025, the United States and the rest of the world witnessed the second inauguration of Donald Trump as President. Or rather, as Trump himself titled the event, “Liberation Day” for the American citizens. Unlike previous inaugurations on the steps of the nation’s Capital building, this year’s took place indoors at the Capitol Rotunda as a result of dangerously cold weather in D.C. Nevertheless, despite the sudden change in location, the political ceremony was certainly memorable to many.
The commencement of “the golden age of America” was one of Trump’s many pledges made during his inaugural address this past Monday. He heavily emphasized his desire to eliminate illegal immigration to the U.S. from Mexico, lower inflation, eliminate the Green New Deal and drill for oil within U.S. territory, and make America “a free, sovereign, and independent nation.” Additionally, Trump’s controversial – and viral – declaration that he plans to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America was also made during this address.
The newly initiated President also added numerous criticisms of the former Biden-Harris administration to his speech in hopes of highlighting his intentions for the next four years. He notes that Americans have been failed in regards to border control and protection from “dangerous criminals,” the excess spending on the “defense of foreign borders,” lack of support through emergency services for those impacted by the wildfires in California and hurricanes in the South, the education and public health system, and much more.
St. Pete High sophomore Kaia Berling described Donald Trump’s inauguration and the start of his presidency with a single word that sums up the thoughts of many students and staff: “impactful.” For high school students, a new president taking office sparks conversations about how someone so distant from their personal lives can completely shift major areas of their daily lives, like education policy and general human rights as young citizens. Moreover, students start to reflect upon their hopes for the next few years and any changes they’d like to see within the government and politics. Berling adds, “I’d like to see inflation go down, and I just want to see less hate in this country.” Another St. Pete High sophomore, Vivian Do, comments, “I just hope no one’s rights are affected dramatically by this change in presidency.”
As Trump begins to settle into the White House for the second time, his inaugural address will continue to serve as an outline for the American people of what to expect over the next four years of his term, and for those outside of the U.S., as an agenda for foreign interactions and a preview of the fates of American citizens.
