Donald Trump took the oath of office on Jan. 20 inside a tightly packed Capitol Rotunda, where he was surrounded by a very different Washington than he was eight years ago.
Back then, when Trump gave a speech about “American carnage” on the inaugural stage, many congressional Republicans were silently prepared to push back on the most radical elements of his agenda.
Today, they are almost unanimously backing the president. World leaders and corporate CEOs who once balked at Trump attended the ceremony.
Despite widespread support and unified Republican power in Washington, Trump’s second presidency still faces obstacles, including a narrow majority in the House and conflicting views within the party as he and Republican leaders eye massive bills to cut taxes, secure the border, deport immigrants and boost energy production.
“For many years, the radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens while the pillars of our society lay broken and seemingly in complete disrepair,” Trump said in his inaugural address. “From this moment on, America’s decline is over.” (AP)