Washington, D.C.– President of the United States Donald Trump He was sworn in during an indoor ceremony at the Capitol, where he braved the chilly winds of a polar vortex.

But his inauguration still drew supporters to Washington, D.C., to celebrate.

On Monday, Trump pledged in his second inaugural address that his legacy would be “a peacemaker and a unifier.”

But in the same speech, the US president outlined some of his most controversial policy proposals, including cracking down on irregular migration and “taking back” the Panama Canal.

“Above all, my message to the American people today is that now is the time for us to once again act with the courage, vigor and vitality of the greatest civilization in history,” Trump said. “So when we liberate Our nation, we will lead it to new heights of victory and success.”

Trump’s Democratic critics have long accused him of being a threat to American democracy — if not an outright fascist.

However, there were few protesters in Washington on Monday rejecting Trump’s return to the White House, in stark contrast to his return to the White House. large demonstration Before, during and after his first inauguration.

Protesters may be deterred by the indoor inauguration or the freezing cold. Others may be apathetic or accepting of Trump’s return to the White House.

The weather didn’t stop supporters of the US president, however, who showed up in Make America Great Again (MAGA) gear and lined up a few blocks away to enter Capital One Stadium.

Trump’s last-minute decision on Friday to move the inauguration indoors prevented many from watching in person. But the arena was set up as an alternative, with live broadcasts of the events. In addition, Trump also promised to appear in person later.

Still, thousands of his supporters are vying for a spot in the 20,000-seat arena, which has less space than the outdoor National Mall park.

“Being respected again”

Although Trump has filled his cabinet For foreign policy hawks, some of his supporters emphasize his commitment to promoting global peace.

David Marks, who drove from Orlando, Florida, to attend the inauguration event, praised Trump for using “common sense” in his governing style rather than relying on bureaucracy.

Max rode a bicycle with a banner bearing Israeli and Palestinian flags and peace signs.

“He understands that world peace is in our interest,” he said of Trump.

Marks was unable to make it to the venue, where the inauguration and the president’s speech were being played on a large screen.

Despite waiting hours to enter the building, thousands were left outside in the arctic cold. Many watched the inauguration on their phones as they waited in slow-moving lines.

Trump’s inaugural address was filled with attacks on the outgoing president Joe Biden and pledged to aggressively follow through on his tough campaign promises.

“America’s golden age begins now,” Trump said, citing a phrase he often repeated during his presidential campaign.

“From today on, our country will prosper and be respected by the world again. We will be the envy of all nations and we will never allow ourselves to be taken advantage of again.”

“World Peace”

Despite temperatures hovering at -6 degrees Celsius (21 degrees Fahrenheit), lines began before dawn for those hoping to get a seat at Capital One Arena.

Johnny Estrada, a 28-year-old police officer from New Mexico, said he and his friends made a last-minute decision to fly to the inauguration. He admitted to being a little disappointed with the change of venue.

“Unfortunately, things have changed a little for us, but we are here,” said Estrada, who wore a red Trump hat with a tuft of fake orange hair peeking out.

“The next four years look really good. As for today, I’m happy to be here.”

He added that he most identified with Trump’s “America First” pledge.

“Personally, I don’t like the fact that we’re funding these other countries’ wars. I’m a veteran and that money should go to our country.”

Chicago resident Shea White also wasn’t at the arena, but he downplayed the crowd’s frustration with the situation.

“No matter where we are, we are Americans,” White said. “There’s a lot of good energy here.”

He had a patch of fake blood on his face, a reference to the blood on Trump’s cheek after he survived an assassination attempt in July. White explained that he believes Trump will help end conflicts around the world.

“I think our war problems will diminish. Already, a few days ago What did Gaza do? Announce? Gaza declares ceasefire,” White told Al Jazeera.

Trump sent his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to the region earlier this month to help finalize ceasefire agreementalong with Biden representatives.

Multiple Israeli media reported that the Trump team was pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to approve the deal announced last week.

“Felons come in with nuclear weapons”

While supporters on and off the stage see Trump as a strongman who will fight for peace, the president’s critics fear a different outcome over the next four years.

At the Metropolitan AME Church just blocks from the White House, the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network held a rally to honor Martin Luther King.

Many attendees found it ironic that Trump’s inauguration took place on a national holiday named for the black civil rights leader.

“We’re here to talk about Trump and how to protect people,” said Valerie Adelin of New York City, who wore a fur coat and face mask to advertise Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign. ” As she walked into the church.

“Martin Luther King stood for justice, peace and empowerment,” she added. “We are celebrating his life, which is especially important today.”

Duval Clemons, 70, of New York, internally denounced Trump’s promise to pardon supporters who ransacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, in an effort to overturn Biden’s election victory.

Trump reiterated that pledge on Monday, telling supporters, “You’re going to see a lot of action against the J6 hostages.”

Clemons also noted that Trump himself was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush-money payment he tried to conceal during the 2016 election.

The conviction in May made Trump the first president in U.S. history with a criminal record.

“He’s a felon who possesses nuclear weapons,” Clemons said. “He’s a liar and he’s making us weaker globally.”

“Now he’s talking about pardoning those who attacked the Capitol, and a lot of people are still feeling the effects of it.”

“Getting ready for the next four years”

A mile north in Meridian Park, about 200 protesters also gathered to denounce Trump’s promises of mass deportations, support for Israel and attacks on Israel. reproductive rights.

Rachel, a 32-year-old Washington, D.C., art historian, said that while the protesters supported a variety of causes, they wanted to send a unifying message of “community.”

“It shows that our agendas are not siled. They are intertwined and connected, and there is power in working to meet our vital interests,” said Rachel, who chose to give only her first name.

Still, the protest movement surrounding Trump’s inauguration was relatively calm compared with 2017, when Trump first took office.

While the 2017 Women’s March brought an estimated 500,000 people to the nation’s capital, its latest incarnation – known as the People’s March on Washington – saw far fewer protesters on Saturday, but still turned out in the thousands.

Amy Burke, a 55-year-old protester from Tampa, Florida, who also participated in the 2017 Women’s March, admitted that during Trump’s second term.

“It’s hard. I can’t tell you how many friends I’ve invited to join me and they’re just tired, burned out, disillusioned,” she said. “They’re trying to get ready for the next four years. “

New policies for the future

Trump has promised sweeping changes — implementing some of them within hours of taking office.

In his inaugural address, Trump outlined his executive actions on immigration, including declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border and sending troops there.

He added that he would resume “stay in mexicoThe policy forces asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for U.S. immigration hearings, designates Mexican drug cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations,” and “eliminates the presence of all foreign gangs and criminal networks.”

As one of the first initiatives under his leadership, US authorities announced: CBP One app has been closed and all appointments made through it have been cancelled.

CBP One was established in 2020 during Trump’s first term as president and his successor Joe Biden expand Its use has made it a requirement for nearly all asylum seekers arriving at the southern border.

Videos shared on social media showed migrants in tears after learning their appointments had been cancelled.

Peter Cepeda, a mining industry worker from South Texas, was among the supporters who arrived in Washington, D.C., to celebrate Trump’s inauguration.

He said he expects the president to increase border security. Cepeda, himself a Latino immigrant, said immigration is a top issue for him, primarily because of public safety.

“A lot of people are coming in without checks,” he told Al Jazeera, adding that he only supports immigration “in the right way.”

But numerous studies show that undocumented immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than U.S.-born citizens.

On Monday, Trump also pledged to take action to boost the nation’s economy, including instructing Cabinet members to “defeat record inflation and quickly lower costs and prices.”

He also announced widespread deregulation of the energy industry and supported increased extraction of fossil fuels.

“We’re going to drill, baby, drill,” Trump said, returning to a familiar refrain.

All in all, Trump’s inaugural address was a relatively low-key event, with less elaboration on policy, similar to his campaign speeches.

Biden farewell

Biden, for his part, spent his final day in office issuing a series of preemptive pardons to potential targets of Trump’s vows of revenge.

These included five pardons for his siblings and their spouses.

Pardons were also granted to immunologist Dr Anthony Fauci and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, who had clashed with Trump over his response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A dispute ensued with Trump calling Trump a “fascist.”

Biden also protected members of Congress investigating Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

After the inauguration, Biden left Washington on Special Air Mission 46 military aircraft. In his final words to his former staff, he said: “We are leaving office, but we are not leaving the fight.”

Trump appeared at the White House almost immediately and quickly issued a presidential proclamation ordering the American flag to be raised that day.

A 30-day period of mourning was held in memory of the late President Jimmy Carter. But Trump opposed flying flags at half-staff at his inauguration.

Under the terms of his proclamation, flags will be flown at half-staff at the end of the day.