By Steve Bittenbender, Editor, Government Security News
 
Donald John Trump, a New York real estate developer and businessman, took the oath of office Friday afternoon and officially became the 45th President of the United States.

In a short speech after being sworn in, Trump laid out his vision for the next four years. In particular, he talked about investing in and rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure, including its highways, railroads and airports. He also spoke about bringing about change in the nation’s capital.
“This is your moment,” he told the thousands of people gathered in front of the U.S. Capitol and the Great Lawn. “It belongs to you.”
A political neophyte who ran on a Republican campaign of making America great again, Trump swept into power by winning the Electoral College despite finishing nearly three million votes behind Hillary Clinton. His inaugural speech, lasting about 16 minutes, echoed that populist platform.
“Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities, rusted out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation. An education system – flush with cash – but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of knowledge, and the crime and gangs and drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential,” Trump said. “This American carnage stops right here and stops right now.”
Moments after he finished his speech and then watched former President Obama leave Washington, Trump to his Twitter account to reinforce key messages from his address.
“January 20th 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again,” he posted.
He also marked his first couple of hours signing executive orders and even put his signature on his first law, a bill that allows retired Gen. James Mattis to serve as Defense Secretary. Federal law stipulates that military personnel must be out of uniform for seven years before taking over as the civilian defense leader. However, the Mattis waiver received broad bipartisan support.
Not everyone in Washington came to celebrate Trump’s inauguration. Reports of protests circulated in the morning before the swearing in ceremony took place.
Trump’s inauguration also brings about some uncertainty, especially among the country’s Muslim population and its immigrant communities. Among the issues the new president plans to make a priority is to build a wall across the border with Mexico.
The ICNA Council for Social Justice set up a hotline for people who believe they are targets of racism and xenophobia.
“We hope that this hotline will provide a safe haven for reporting acts of hate, school bullying and discrimination” said Dr. Zahid Bukhari, Executive Director of ICNA CSJ.

While Trump campaigned on those divisive issues, he did seek to a strike a tone of unification as he began his term. He encouraged people to speak openly and debate honestly but to always seek solidarity.
“When America is united, America is totally unstoppable,” he said. “There should be no fear. We are protected and we will always be protected. We will be protected by the great men and women of our military and law enforcement. And most importantly, we will be protected by God.”
Article Courtesy: GSN: Govt. Security News

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