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Trumps travel in a limousine to lead an inaugural parade to the White House.
Trumps travel in a limousine to lead an inaugural parade to the White House.

Trump Inauguration Live Blog

Final Synopsis

-- Seventy-year-old Donald J. Trump, a Republican, has been sworn in as the United States' 45th president, along with Vice President Mike Pence.

-- In his inaugural speech, Trump vowed that America will "not seek to impose our way of life on anyone but rather let it shine as an example for everyone to follow." He also pledged that "a new vision will govern our land: From this day forward, it's going to be only America First." Trump also promised: "We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones – and unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the Earth."

-- Trump also decried an "establishment" that "protected itself, but not the citizens of our country," and he said, "That all changes -- starting right here, and right now, because this moment is your moment: it belongs to you."

-- World leaders have been congratulating President Trump on his January 20 inauguration, expressing a desire to work with his administration while some Western leaders have been urging continued U.S. cooperation on mutual security.

-- Trump and the new first lady rode a limousine that inched to the White House in the midst of a ceremonial parade, red and blue lights flashing as security agents walked slowly beside the vehicle and onlookers watched from the sidewalks.

-- Security was tight as thousands of people protested in Washington. Police said 95 protesters were arrested. Police had used pepper spray and stun grenades to push back demonstrators. Police said protesters damaged vehicles, destroyed property and set small fires.

-- Trump's administration said that defeating Islamic State "and other radical Islamic terror groups" will be the highest priority of an "America first" foreign policy centered on "peace through strength."

* NOTE: Times are stated according to local time in Washington DC (GMT/UTC -5)

Our VOA colleagues have a nice video on incoming first lady Melania Trump, who is Slovenian-born.

President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have unveiled the website for a foundation for his new presidential center in Chicago.

Here's the accompanying video, in which the Obamas say that after "a little break," they want suggestions for the project.

Obama says it will be more than a museum, but "a living, working, center for citizenship" with efforts "all over the city, the country, and the world."

AP notes: Melania Trump initially reached to shake Michelle Obama's hand, but the first lady instead gave her a hug.

Former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, arrived in the past hour at the U.S. Capitol for the ceremonies.

Tradition dictates tea and coffee for this momentous meeting between the U.S. president-elect and outgoing president and their spouses.

Crowds gather on the Washington Mall between the U.S. Capitol Building and the Washington Momument about two hours before Donald J. Trump was to be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States in Washington.
Crowds gather on the Washington Mall between the U.S. Capitol Building and the Washington Momument about two hours before Donald J. Trump was to be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States in Washington.

The outgoing and incoming U.S. presidents and their wives at the north entrance to the White House moments ago.

Many former leaders and other V.I.P.s are meanwhile arriving at the U.S. Capitol Building, whose west front is the site of the inauguration ceremony and where the freshly inaugurated president, vice president, and other senior officials and guests will lunch together after the swearing-in.

Our correspondent Mike Eckel is out and about in Washington D.C.

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