Dark rhetoric sets scene of ‘ravages and carnage’
Pledging to put “America first”, the billionaire businessman broke with tradition as he railed against “the Washington elite”.
“From this day forward, it is going to be only America first,” he said.
“Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families.”
Mr Trump said, the US will now “buy American and hire American”.
“We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies, and destroying our jobs,” he said.
In a sometimes dark speech, he spoke of “rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones” across the US and vowed “this American carnage stops right here and stops right now”.
There were ugly scenes on the streets nearby as anti-Trump protesters clashed with his supporters. Shop and car windows were damaged by people carrying metal poles and hammers, and police had to use hand-held water cannon and pepper spray.
More than 95 people were arrested as police threw smoke grenades and fired tear gas close to the inaugural parade route.
Mr Trump said the US would “seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world”, with the understanding that it is the right of all states to “put their own interests first”.
Policies from the new administration have already appeared on the White House website, where sections on gay rights and on climate change were removed.
Mr Trump underlined his intentions on climate change, saying he is “committed to eliminating harmful and unnecessary policies such as the Climate Action Plan and the Waters of the US rule”.
As rain began to fall in Washington DC, the new president added: “America will start winning again, winning like never before.
“We will bring back our jobs, we will bring back our borders, we will bring back our wealth and we will bring back our dreams.”
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