IMAGE: CNS photo/Carlos Barria, Reuters
By Mark Pattison
WASHINGTON
(CNS) — President Donald J. Trump told the nation in his inaugural address
that it need not fear in the days ahead.
“There
should not be fear,” Trump said Jan. 20. “We are protected and we
will always be protected. We will be protected by the great men and women of
our military and law enforcement, and, most important, we will be protected by
God.”
In
signaling a new era for the United States, “at the bedrock of our politics
will be a total allegiance to the United States of America, and through our
loyalty to our country, we will rediscover our loyalty to each other,”
Trump said in his 15-minute address. “When you open your heart to
patriotism, there is no room for prejudice. The Bible tells us how good and
pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity. We must speak our
minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity.
When America is united, America is totally unstoppable.”
He said
Americans of all stripes harbor common hopes and dreams.
“We
all enjoy the same glorious freedoms,” Trump said, “and we all salute
the same great American flag. And whether a child is born in the urban sprawl
of Detroit or the windswept plains of Nebraska, they look up at the same night
sky, they fill their heart with the same dreams, and they are infused with the
breath of life by the same almighty Creator.”
Much of the rest of Trump’s
inaugural address restated the themes he used in his presidential campaign,
remarking repeatedly that the nation and its citizens would be his top priority
as president.
“Today we are not merely
transferring power from one administration to another or from one party to
another,” Trump said from the west front of the Capitol, “but we are
transferring power from Washington, D.C., and giving it back to you, the
people.”
He added, “This moment is your
moment. It belongs to you. It belongs to everyone gathered here today and
everyone watching all across America. This is your day, this is your
celebration, and this, the United States of America, is your country.”
Trump distilled the ills he saw
in the United States: “Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner
cities, rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of
our nation. An education system flush with cash but which leaves our young and
beautiful students deprived of all knowledge. And the crime and the gangs and
the drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much
unrealized potential. This American carnage stops right here and stops right
now.”
The 45th president, who is a Presbyterian,
said: “From this day forward, it’s going to be only America first. America
first. Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs
will be made to benefit American workers and American families. We must protect
our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing
our companies and destroying our jobs. Protection will lead to great prosperity
and strength.”
Trump dwelt briefly on the
United States’ role in the world. “We will seek friendship and goodwill with
the nations of the world, but we do so with the understanding that it is the
right of all nations to put their own interests first,” he said. “We do not
seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine as an
example. We will shine for everyone to follow. We will reinforce old alliances
and form new ones and unite the civilized world against radical Islamic
terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the earth.”
He vowed to Americans, “You will
never be ignored again. Your voice, your hopes and your dreams will define our
American destiny. And your courage and goodness and love will forever guide us
along the way. 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.”
Before the swearing-in
ceremonies, the Trump family attended a private prayer service St. John’s Episcopal
Church across Lafayette Square from the White House. Hosting the service has
been a tradition for the church for at least a dozen presidential inaugurals.
At the Capitol, New York
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan was among a number of religious leaders taking part in the
inauguration ceremonies. The cardinal read a passage from the Book of Wisdom.
Supreme Court Justice
Clarence Thomas administered the oath of office to Vice President Mike Pence,
then U.S.
Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to Trump. Standing at the new
president’s side were his wife, Melania, and children Donald Jr., Barron, Ivanka,
Eric and Tiffany.
– – –
Copyright © 2017 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. www.catholicnews.com. All rights reserved. Republishing or redistributing of CNS content, including by framing or similar means without prior permission, is prohibited. You may link to stories on our public site. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To request permission for republishing or redistributing of CNS content, please contact permissions at cns@catholicnews.com.
