Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
- Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th U.S. president Monday, marking a political comeback.
- He plans executive orders on immigration and pardons for Jan. 6 rioters.
- Utah leaders express optimism, with Sen. Curtis highlighting expectations for economic restoration.
Editor's note: KSL.com political reporter Bridger Beal-Cvetko is in Washington to cover the inauguration.
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump was sworn in as president of the United States for the second time Monday after completing a dramatic political comeback and all but cementing himself as the present and future leader of the Republican Party.
Trump won a definitive electoral victory in November and enters office as the first Republican to win the national popular vote in 20 years. At a rally in Washington, D.C., Sunday he suggested he would act swiftly to sign a series of executive orders after being sworn in. Those actions are expected to include immigration measures and a rollback of executive actions taken by his predecessor, President Joe Biden.
Trump has also announced plans to issue Day 1 pardons for some convicted for rioting at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in an attempt to stop the certification of Biden's 2020 presidential election win.
Many Utah leaders are looking forward to the change in administration and several members of Utah's congressional delegation were in person at the ceremony, which was moved inside to the Capitol Rotunda due to cold weather forecasts in the nation's capital. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was also in attendance.
Utah Sen. Mike Lee posted selfies he took with fellow Republican senators in the Rotunda ahead of the ceremony and added, in another post, "We're about to get a new president ... Not a moment too soon."
Good friends
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) January 20, 2025
Good times pic.twitter.com/qr8V3jwrB8
Sen. John Curtis — Utah's new junior senator — congratulated Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
"I look forward to this new chapter in America's history — a moment marked by high expectations from the American people to restore our economy, hold authoritarians like China accountable, secure our border, and ensure a more prosperous future for Utahns and all Americans," Curtis said in a post. "Success will depend on forging strong allies and alliances — both at home and abroad. Let's get to work!"
"In America, impossible is what we do best." Congratulations to President @realDonaldTrump and Vice President @JDVance on being sworn into office! I look forward to this new chapter in America's history—a moment marked by high expectations from the American people to restore our… pic.twitter.com/KwvYPX4bKZ
— Senator John Curtis (@SenJohnCurtis) January 20, 2025
Cox celebrated with other Republican governors, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — a one-time primary challenger to Trump. Utah's governor — who is a relative newcomer to the Trump movement after surprising many by endorsing Trump in July — said he anticipates "working with President Trump and JD Vance to build a stronger, more prosperous America."
"I'm optimistic about the progress we can achieve in Utah over the next four years," Cox added in a post. "Together, let's keep building."
Good morning from Emancipation Hall in the US Capitol where Martha Hughes Cannon is faithfully watching over the inauguration ceremony. pic.twitter.com/ovLRhxUSzx
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) January 20, 2025
Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson also congratulated Trump and Vance, saying she's "looking forward to working with them during the next four years." Unlike Cox, Henderson declined to issue an endorsement of Trump, after supporting former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in the GOP primary.
Members of Utah's House delegation expressed optimism for the next four years of Trump's administration, with Reps. Burgess Owens and Celeste Maloy echoing the president who declared a "golden age of America" in his second inaugural address. Owens said Monday "marks the start of the great American comeback," and Maloy said she looks forward to Trump's efforts on border security and cutting regulations.
It's the dawn of a new era of leadership in Washington.
— Rep. Burgess Owens (@RepBurgessOwens) January 20, 2025
President Trump is back. America is back. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/e4KmJIWWC8
I'm optimistic that this new chapter in American life will be marked by greater freedom and opportunity. Let's get to work to secure our border, remove burdensome regulations, unleash innovation and prosperity, and restore America's place on the world stage. pic.twitter.com/zlDoHctM2y
— Rep. Celeste Maloy (@RepMaloyUtah) January 20, 2025
With the ceremony being moved indoors, seating was limited to about 2,000 dignitaries, meaning thousands of supporters who traveled to witness Trump being sworn in on the West Lawn of the Capitol watched remotely from the nearby Capital One Arena. Many supporters — including some from Utah — planned to brave the cold early Monday for a chance to get in the arena, even after unsuccessfully waiting hours hoping to attend Sunday's rally.
Thousands of attendees who did not secure a seat at the arena milled around barricades set up throughout downtown Washington, hoping to watch Trump's eventual motorcade make its way up Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. Crowds huddled together to watch the ceremonies on phone screens, and people erupted in cheers after Trump repeated the 35-word oath of office, pledging to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Trump took the oath of office, administered by Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts, at 10 a.m. MST (12 p.m. EST). The oath was intended to be administered at 11:47 a.m. EST, symbolic for Trump as the 47th president according to the Associated Press, but the ceremony started late.
"The golden age of America begins right now," Trump said in his inaugural address.
"My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal and all these many betrayals that have taken place and give people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy and indeed their freedom," he added. "From this moment on, America's decline is over."
Parade to the White House
The frigid temperatures have also forced organizers to scrap a planned parade down Pennsylvania Avenue of military regiments, school marching bands, floats and citizens' groups. The parade will now take place at the 20,000-seat Capital One Arena in downtown Washington.
There will be at least 18 inaugural galas held throughout Washington over the weekend and on Monday — three are considered official, where Trump is expected to attend.
On Monday, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg will co-host a reception for billionaire Republican donors along with casino magnate Miriam Adelson and Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, Trump's pick for ambassador to Italy.
Oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm, a top Trump donor, will host an inauguration watch party on Monday on the roof of the historic Hay-Adams Hotel near the White House.
Contributing: James Oliphant and Tim Reid
This story may be updated.
