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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)

A few images from the inauguration.

U.S. President Donald Trump escorts former President Barack Obama from the U.S. Capitol with Vice President Mike Pence and former Vice President Joe Biden.
U.S. President Donald Trump escorts former President Barack Obama from the U.S. Capitol with Vice President Mike Pence and former Vice President Joe Biden.

A table prepared for U.S. President Donald Trump and wife Melania before the Inaugural Luncheon with members of Congress in Statuary Hall on Capitol Hill in Washington, immediately after the inauguration.
A table prepared for U.S. President Donald Trump and wife Melania before the Inaugural Luncheon with members of Congress in Statuary Hall on Capitol Hill in Washington, immediately after the inauguration.

U.S. President Donald Trump listens to the national anthem after his swearing-in.
U.S. President Donald Trump listens to the national anthem after his swearing-in.

U.S. President Barack Obama (right) greets Donald Trump before the latter's inauguration ceremony on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building.
U.S. President Barack Obama (right) greets Donald Trump before the latter's inauguration ceremony on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building.

Did you know?

Hail To The Chief was composed around 1812 by London conductor James Sanderson, in part by putting lines from Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott to music.

The composition was given official status as an accompaniment to U.S. presidents in the 1950s. In addition to its use in the inauguration, it is played to introduce U.S. presidents at many formal appearances. It's in the public domain.

The tradition of a presidential procession down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House was begun by the country's third president, Declaration of Independence author Thomas Jefferson, at his second inauguration, in 1805. That was in March, though. The only president since then who didn't lead such a parade was Ronald Reagan to start his second term, in 1985, due to freezing temperatures and high winds.

Trump is still tweeting from his own account. The @POTUS account is silent.

After the luncheon at the Capitol Rotunda, Trump, as the country's new commander in chief of the armed forces, will review the armed forces from the east front of the Capitol.

Reuters on the protests:

Black-clad activists angry about U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration smashed store and car windows in Washington on Friday and fought with police in riot gear who responded with pepper spray and stun grenades.

About 500 people, some wearing masks and kerchiefs over their faces, marched through the city's downtown, breaking the windows of a Bank of America branch, a McDonald's outlet and a Starbucks shop, all symbols of the American capitalist system.

The crowd chanted anti-Trump slogans and carried at least one sign reading "Make Racists Afraid Again," a play on the New York businessman-turned-politician's "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan.

They also vandalized several cars and hurled trash cans and newspaper vending boxes into the streets before being largely dispersed by police about 90 minutes before Trump was sworn in at the Capitol a mile and a half (2.4 km) away.

"The message I want to send is that Trump does not represent this country. He represents the corporate interests," said Jessica Reznicek, a 35-year-old Catholic aid worker from Des Moines, Iowa, who was part of the protest but did not participate in the violence.

Barack Obama has taken off in a Marine helicopter from the east front of the Capitol as the country's ex-president.

The Obamas are reportedly headed to California initially, but have bought a home in Washington where they plan to remain with their younger daughter still in school.

With Trump sworn in, outgoing President Barack Obama and his family are issuing farewells and departing from the east front of the Capitol.

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