Trump reclaims power, advances agenda

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump, who overcame impeachments, criminal indictments and a pair of assassination attempts to win another term in the White House, would be sworn in as the 47th US president on Monday, taking charge as Republicans assume unified control of Washington and set out to reshape the country's institutions.

Trump is expected to act swiftly after the ceremony, with executive orders already prepared for his signature to jump-start deportations, increase fossil fuel development and reduce civil service protections for government workers, promising that his term will bring about "a brand-new day of American strength and prosperity, dignity and pride".

When Trump takes the oath of office at noon, he will realize a political comeback without precedent in US history. Four years ago, he was voted out of the White House, but denied his defeat and tried to cling to power. He directed his supporters to march on the Capitol while lawmakers were certifying the election results, sparking a riot that interrupted the country's tradition of peaceful transfer of power.

However, Trump was undeterred by criminal cases and two assassination attempts as he steamrollered rivals and harnessed voters' exasperation with inflation and illegal immigration.

Now, Trump will be the first person convicted of a felony — for falsifying business records related to hush money payments — to serve as president. He would pledge to "preserve, protect and defend" the Constitution from the same spot that was overrun by his supporters on Jan 6, 2021. He said one of his first acts in office will be to pardon many of those who took part in the riot.

Going further

Eight years after he first entered the White House as a political newcomer, Trump is far more familiar with the operations of the federal government and emboldened to bend it to his vision. He has pledged to go further and move faster in enacting his agenda than during his first term, and already the country's political, business and technology leaders have realigned themselves to accommodate Trump.

Trump has pledged to bring quick change to the country by curtailing immigration, enacting tariffs on imports and rolling back Democrats' climate and social initiatives.

Long skeptical of US alliances, his "America First" foreign policy is being watched warily at home and abroad as the Russia-Ukraine conflict will soon enter its third year and a fragile cease-fire appears to be holding in Gaza after more than 15 months of conflict.

At his Sunday rally, Trump teased dozens of coming executive actions, promising that "by the time the sun sets" on Monday, he will have signed executive orders involving border security and immigration policy.

More changes are planned for the federal workforce. Trump wants to unwind diversity, equity and inclusion programs known as DEI, require employees to come back to the office, and lay the groundwork to reduce staff members.

Agencies via Xinhua