Only America first — Trump
45th US president calls for ‘new national pride’ and vows to eradicate terrorism
Donald Trump took power as the 45th president of the United States yesterday and pledged to end “American carnage” of social and economic woes. He told a bitterly divided country that every decision would be guided by a vision that puts “only America first.”
As scattered protests erupted elsewhere in Washington, Trump raised his right hand and put his left on a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln and repeated a 35-word oath of office from the US Constitution, with US Chief Justice John Roberts presiding.
“This moment is your moment, it belongs to you,” Trump told a large crowd. “We are transferring power from Washington DC and giving it back to you,” he said in his inaugural address.
“From this day forward a new vision will govern our land,” Trump said. “From this day forward it’s going to be only America First.”
Trump also called for a “new national pride” that would help heal divisions. “Together we will make America strong again. We will make America wealthy again. We will make America proud again. We will make America safe again. And, yes, together, we will make America great again,” he said.
Trump placed the battle against Islamist extremism at the heart of his foreign policy, vowing to work with allies to destroy the jihadist threat.
“We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones and unite the civilised world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the earth,” he declared.
Trump’s predecessors George W. Bush and Barack Obama also fought extremism. But Trump has gome further than both in his use of language suggesting that he sees the fight as a civilisational battle between America and a threat springing from the Islamic faith itself.
UAE leaders send cables
Congratulations poured in from around the world.
UAE President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, sent cables congratulating Trump.
Shaikh Khalifa wished Trump success and hoped the UAE-US ties would see further growth.