Hello, happy Tuesday. President Trump took the oath of office for a second term on a cold but sunny afternoon in Washington on Monday, delivering multiple speeches that predictably veered from unwritten remarks about unity to rambling promises of retaliation. went.

All that talk was followed by action, as he had promised for years. The executive order fell like a leaf in a thunderstorm, reshaping American society in ways that will have effects for years (although a court challenge is certain for some). For Trump supporters, it marked the beginning of a new era, with President Trump proclaiming that “America’s Golden Age now begins,” as many speakers noted.

For others, including transgender people, undocumented immigrants and people with past relationships with President Trump, it ushered in a different kind of era of uncertainty and fear.

Here’s a breakdown of the serious, ridiculous, and horrifying moments of a day that will definitely go down in the history books.

serious

President Trump signed 100 executive orders on his first day in office, promising to set up a desk inside Capital One Arena and sign some of them in front of a cheering crowd. Many of the actual orders had not been signed or announced by Monday afternoon. The original order guaranteed that flags would be flown by all at all inauguration ceremonies, after discussion of flags being lowered to half-staff Monday in honor of the late President Carter.

But they were rolled out throughout the day, with advance information detailing plans to deliver on campaign promises around immigration and diversity, equity and inclusion. These two issues, along with food prices, swayed his support base and helped him win the election.

“As commander in chief, there is no greater responsibility than to protect our country from threats and invasions, and that is exactly what I will do,” Trump said in his inaugural address. “We’re going to do it at a level that no one has seen before.”

President Trump has declared a national emergency at the border and said he will take steps to effectively close it to most legal entry for at least several months. This includes programs for refugees. Most controversially, it seeks to abolish birthright citizenship, which is part of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The destruction of birthright citizenship has long been white supremacistConcerned that the United States would suffer if non-whites became the majority. It is predicted that this will happen by 2045.

Trump also pledged to “end government policies that socialize race and gender into every aspect of public and private life.”

This is expected to go beyond ending federal programs that include efforts to increase opportunities for minorities and other underrepresented people. Trump administration officials told the media on the same day that it is U.S. policy that there are only two genders: male and female. In practice, it represents an attempt to erase transgender people from public life.

Passports, work history, visas, and other government issues issued without gender designation at birth (perhaps based on whether a person is born with the ability to produce sperm or eggs) No related records will be accepted.

Monday is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which President Trump alluded to in his speech, calling for an end to diversity, equity, and inclusion and the creation of a “colorblind, meritocratic society.” He promised to honor Dr. King.

President Trump said of King, “We will work together to make his dreams a reality.” “We will make his dream come true.”

I don’t know if MLK would think that way, but let’s move on to something stupid or even stupider.

fool

Gulf of Mexico? Desaparecio! The waters around Florida will henceforth be known by MAGA as the Gulf of America.

Denali, the highest mountain in North America? It’s gone too! will be restored to its original state American name for Mount McKinleywhich former President Obama repealed in 2015.

This may seem trivial, but these combine the best of crushing DEI with the anti-immigrant, nationalistic fervor that Trump has long cultivated and achieved great success. This is the kind of “America First” action that his supporters like. So while these activities may seem futile on the surface, we will be looking for an undercurrent over the next four years.

Because there’s always a reason for these MAGA moves. Take a ride on the Panama CanalPresident Trump hinted that the canal was under Chinese control, saying, “We gave it to Panama and we’re going to take it back.”

The canal was largely constructed through political maneuvering by President Theodore Roosevelt, who supported the Panamanian independence movement after Colombia refused to give land to the United States for construction. After the United States supported Panama’s independence, the United States He immediately bought the land for $10 million. They created a segregated social system in the Canal Zone that favored Americans over Panamanians.

Eventually, it led to a Panamanian revolt against US ownership and the recent death of the president. Jimmy Carter took control back in 1978. But conservatives disliked the agreement. Ronald Reagan even campaigned against it, “I’m going to speak as long and loudly as possible to object,” he said once.

So, like taking Greenland, taking back the Panama Canal is a long-standing aspiration of conservatives, and is exactly the kind of “America First” and “manifest destiny” that President Trump embraced in his speech.

something scary

Finally, let’s pause for a moment and look at what isn’t being said.

In his farewell speech, former President Biden said, “Today, an oligarchy with extreme wealth, power, and influence is forming in the United States that truly threatens our entire democracy, our fundamental rights, and our freedoms.” “There is,” he warned.

That oligarchy was literally on full display Monday. When many billionaires take center stageahead of the Cabinet at the inauguration ceremony.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was also in attendance. Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg; Apple’s CEO Tim Cook. Fox News Chairman Rupert Murdoch. Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest man. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. Google CEO Sundar Pichai. moreover!

Elon Musk was seated a short distance away from the president’s youngest son, Barron Trump, who during his speech was enthusiastic about sending astronauts to Mars, which Musk said It was a commitment.

A rich man is at home.

What else to read:

Must read: TRump becomes the 47th president, capping a historic comeback.
What happened: Biden pardons relatives in final hours to prevent Trump retaliation
LA Times Feature: Column: I watched President Trump’s inauguration with Democrats and Republicans. this is what they saw

stay golden,
Anita Chhabria

PS : Did you really think I would leave without mentioning the hat? If there’s ever a woman who knows how to convey a message with her outfit, it’s Melania Trump. For much of the ceremony, the sharp brim of her boater hat hid the top of her face, reminding Mrs. Trump that her eyes, and therefore her soul, were her own and were to be shared only with her. , in no uncertain terms. I think it’s perfect.

This look, paired with an equally harsh navy blue coat, spawned memes comparing her to mcdonald’s hamburger And Carmen Santiago, I offer another interpretation. At President Trump’s first inauguration, she wore a soft blue dress that drew comparisons to Jackie Kennedy. Her expression on Monday clearly indicated that she was here this time to exercise power on her own terms: for her husband and her country. But what was she thinking when her husband forgot to put his hand on the Bible she was holding during the oath of office?

Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States as Melania Trump holds a Bible during the inauguration ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda on Monday.

(Molly Gash/Associated Press)

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