"January 20, 2017 will be remembered as the day when the people returned to govern this country". It is a strongly populist Donald Trump who delivers his first speech as president of the United States after having been sworn in on Capitol Hill on the American Constitution and the Bible. Trump, who nonetheless thanked the Obamas by expressing his gratitude to the outgoing president, did not fail to tread the tones of a clear break with the past: "This day has a special meaning - he said at the beginning of his speech, which lasted about twenty minutes scarce -: it is not only the transition from one president to another or from one party to another, but it is the day when the power from Washington DC is returned to the people”.
“Up to now, few have governed – continued Trump – and the people have suffered: the system has not protected the citizens but now everything is changing, this is your day, the day of the people. The carnage ends right now." The new president also reiterated his protectionist intentions, with America first and foremost: “America comes first!”, he repeated three times, adding that “only when the country is united, in solidarity, is it indestructible. The time for chatter is over."
“My oath – Trump explained to the Capitol audience and in front of the traditional crowd in Washington – is an oath of allegiance to all Americans. In recent decades we have enriched foreign companies and countries, strengthened armies of other countries and protected their borders, forgetting to defend our own. But that's enough: our motto will be 'buy American, hire American'. We will no longer allow the wealth of our middle class to be redistributed elsewhere in the world."
The intention is to bring many jobs back to the US, as is already happening, and to build new infrastructures, "involving American companies and workers". That said, there are no signs of breaking with the other countries of the international community: “We want to have good relations with everyone, but it is our right to put America first. We don't even want to impose our model on everyone, but we will shine and be an example to imitate ”, concluded Trump before shaking hands with Barack Obama again and continuing the inauguration ceremony, which will only formally end on Saturday morning.
