Pomp, drama, pardons and policies
Now the 47th President of the United States of America, and previously the 45th, Donald John Trump was inaugurated for the second time on Monday, January 20th, 2025. The Republican defeated Joe Biden’s Vice President and Democratic Party nominee, Kamala Harris, in November’s US Presidential election.
Trump’s inaugural address was the longest since 1933, and almost twice as long as his address in 2017, coming in at just under 30 minutes. There were no surprises in President Trump’s address, and it was largely an extension of the talking points he had been using throughout the election and during his intervening time as President-elect.
Highlights
Trump declared a “national emergency” along America’s southern border and announced he was renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. Additionally, he stated that it would be official US government policy to recognise only “two genders, male and female”.
Following the inauguration ceremony and parade, there was a celebration at the Capital One Arena in Washington DC at which Elon Musk among others gave speeches to the supporters in attendance. Musk caused some controversy when he appeared to make a salute similar to that used by Adolf Hitler, before saying: “My heart goes out to you,” to the crowd.
Reaction to Trump’s election and inauguration has been varied, as the divisive politician takes up office for a second term. In the hours following his inauguration, Trump proceeded to pardon/commute the sentences of 1500 January 6 protestors, who have been called “insurrectionists” by some in politics and media. And it was a day for presidential pardons, as hours before standing down from office, outgoing President Joseph R Biden provided a blanket pardon to a number of his extended family members for “non-violent” offences against the United States of America, dating back to 2014 – just weeks after granting a similar pardon to his son, Hunter Biden.
There literally are not enough column inches available to recount what was a long and very eventful day in Washington DC; however, the Roscommon People reached out to some members of the Irish diaspora living in the States for reaction and took a dive into social media to see how people reacted to the day’s events.
Reaction
A retired computer programmer and registered Democrat living in Pennsylvania told the Roscommon People: “Ever since Donald Trump won the election on Nov 5, he has been in the news every day telling us what he is going to do… Yesterday seemed like an extension of his campaign with what felt like a rally in the Capital One arena… For those who came to Washington to see him take the Oath… many of them were left out since the indoor space was limited. It seemed that the inauguration was intended to highlight his new billionaire friends over his MAGA base… Perhaps for his supporters it was a great day, but for others it seemed that it is now over and we have to get on with our regular lives however they may change…”
A Ohio-based Democrat described the “dawning of a second Trump presidency” as “depressing”.
It was understandably difficult to get Irish people living in America to go on the record about Trump, many highlighting the polarised political landscape they live in as reason for their reluctance, with one US resident telling the Roscommon People: “I’m not someone worth quoting but to say America is divided would be an understatement. My family know how I feel about Trump but my friends, work colleagues and neighbours don’t and I would really like to keep it that way. It’s too divisive”.
Still Taoiseach on Monday of this week, Simon Harris TD, released a statement on President Trump’s inauguration via the Government Press Office, saying: “I warmly congratulate President Donald Trump on his inauguration today and wish him every success in his term in office… The government very much looks forward to cooperating with President Trump and his administration in the months and years ahead… President Trump is, of course, no stranger to Ireland, having visited on a number of occasions. He has invested in this country and its people, through his magnificent golf links in Doonbeg. I hope that we will have the opportunity to welcome him back during his term”.
Irish mixed martial arts fighter, Conor McGregor attended the inauguration celebrations at Capital One Arena, underscoring his support for President Trump. During the proceedings, McGregor appeared to confirm his candidacy for the Irish Presidency later this year.
During live coverage of President Trump’s inauguration, BBC reporter Caitríona Perry, an Irish journalist, experienced an unexpected exchange with American musician Kid Rock. Kid Rock commented on Perry’s voice, describing it as “sexy,” and invited her to go skiing. Perry, momentarily taken aback, politely declined, citing her broadcasting responsibilities. The interaction highlighted the unpredictable nature of live reporting during significant political events and the less than politically correct sentiments held by many of Trump’s celebrity supporters.
Independent senator, Hugo MacNeill, who represents the Trinity College Dublin constituency, broached the topic of Trump’s second presidency on the Irish economy, asking: “With Trump now in office, what will this mean for Ireland and Irish business? The Irish economy has benefited tremendously from the presence of American multinationals not just in Dublin but across the country”.
First Minister of Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill went on the record on Monday to say she would “never agree” with Trump but would engage with him with respect to Northern Ireland.
