‘God Saved My Life to Make America Great Again,’ Trump Declares on Return to White House

In his first address as the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump vowed to “put America first” and “rebalance” the scales of justice, claiming that his life was spared for the purpose of making America great again.

Trump, who was sworn in for a second term on Monday, made the statement shortly after taking the oath of office, addressing a crowd inside the Capitol Rotunda.

“My life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again,” Trump proclaimed, drawing thunderous applause from his supporters. The comment went unacknowledged by his predecessors in attendance—Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush—who remained silent as Trump delivered his remarks.

Sworn in by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., Trump used his inaugural address to outline immediate executive actions, including a declaration of a national emergency at the southern border.

“I will declare a national emergency at the border,” Trump announced, earning another round of applause. This move echoes his 2019 declaration to fund the border wall, with Trump signaling that this time he would go even further, potentially deploying military resources to strengthen the U.S. southern border.

Former President Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris remained stoic throughout Trump’s address, notably during his comments on immigration and justice reform. Biden, seen watching the speech with his hand over his mouth, did not join in the applause, even as Trump repeated his campaign promises and strong rhetoric.

The inauguration, held indoors due to inclement weather, stood in sharp contrast to traditional ceremonies that emphasize unity. Trump, however, took the opportunity to air grievances, framing the event as a victory over years of political persecution, referring to ongoing criminal investigations against him as politically motivated.

In an unexpected moment before the inauguration ceremony, Trump and Biden briefly met at the White House. Despite their fierce political rivalry, the two exchanged pleasantries. “Welcome home,” Biden said to Trump and his wife, Melania, as they arrived at the executive mansion.

As Trump now enters his second term, his message was clear: his presidency would be marked by continued disruption and a sharp focus on issues like immigration reform, national security, and what he perceives as a need to restore justice in America.