Donald Trump Sworn In As U.S. President

Mr. Donald Trump has been inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States.

Mr Trump was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts, reciting the 35-word oath with his hand placed upon two Bibles, one used by his family and another in former president Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration.

He took the oath of office on the West Front of the Capitol just after midday, following his Vice-President, Mike Pence.

In his first speech as the new leader of free world, Mr Trump promised the American people he would put them first, and hand back the power to the citizens.

“Today we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another, or from one party to another, but we are transferring power from Washington DC and giving it back to you, the people,” he said.

“For too long a small group in our nation’s capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost.”

Mr Trump went on to outline his vision of an “America-first” presidency, where decisions on trade, tax, immigration and foreign affairs will be made “to benefit American workers and American families”.

“We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs,” he said.

“We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones and unite the civilised world against radical Islamic terrorism which we will eradicate completely from the face of the Earth.”

The transition from a Democratic president to a Republican took place before a crowd of former presidents, dignitaries and hundreds of thousands of people on the grounds of the National Mall.

Thin crowds and semi-empty bleachers dotted the inaugural parade route and hotels across the District of Columbia reported vacancies, a rarity for an event as large as a presidential inauguration.

More than 60 House Democrats refused to attend the ceremony, but Mr Trump’s campaign rival Hillary Clinton and her husband, former president Bill Clinton, were among the guests.

Former presidents George W Bush and Jimmy Carter were present at the inauguration with their wives. Mr Bush’s father, former president George HW Bush, 92, was in Houston with his wife, recovering from pneumonia.

Mr Trump began his day with a morning prayer service at St John’s Episcopal Church, and took to Twitter to note his excitement about beginning the work of the US President.

The Trumps then shuttled to the White House for the traditional private meeting of outgoing and incoming presidents and their spouses.

Posing for photos on the North Portico, the couples exchanged hugs as Mr Obama chatted about the demands of protocol.

The Trumps and the Obamas travelled together in the presidential limousine for the short trip to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony.

Barack and Michelle Obama were helicoptered from the Capitol to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, where the former president made a short speech before heading off on a vacation in California.

Following the ceremony, Mr Trump signed his first executive order as president, ordering federal agencies to ease the burden of former president Mr Obama’s sweeping healthcare law.

Presidential spokesman Sean Spicer refused to offer details on the order.

Mr Trump was joined in the Oval Office by Mr Pence, White House chief of staff Reince Priebus and other top advisers as he signed the executive order on the so-called Obamacare law that he opposed throughout his campaign.

The President also formally signed the commissions of incoming Defence Secretary James Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly.

Asked about his first day as president, Mr Trump said: “It was busy but good — a beautiful day”.

Military bands representing all the service branches played and marched outside the Capitol to start off the inaugural parade.

Police officers on motorcycles followed closely behind as the parade participants made the slow trek down Constitution Avenue.

Hundreds of police officers lined both sides of the street. Service members also stood at attention on both sides.

Mr and Mrs Trump twice stepped out of their limousine during the parade to walk and wave to the crowd.

They first walked for about a block before reaching the Trump International Hotel, where the crowds on both sides of the street were at their loudest.

As the Trumps neared the hotel, agents urged the couple to get back into their sedan.

Later, the Trumps exited the car with their children and grandchildren in tow. An announcer roared, “Welcome home, Mr President”.