Donald Trump prepares for inauguration: President-elect's team unveils key agenda

Donald Trump is set to become the 47th President of the United States. His inauguration is just hours away, and his team has shared key updates. Due to cold weather, Trump’s swearing-in ceremony has been moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda. This marks the first time in 40 years that such a change has occurred. Trump and his wife Melania attended a church service at St. John's Episcopal Church, known as the "Church of the Presidents," before the ceremony. The church holds great significance, located near the White House.

Trump had previously received criticism from religious leaders when he posed with a Bible outside the church in 2020, following a controversial incident involving Black Lives Matter protesters.

Trump’s family spent the night at Blair House, a government guest house, and will head to the White House for a brief meeting with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden after the church service. The peaceful gathering signifies the peaceful transfer of power between the two presidents.

Crowds, Flags, and Global reactions

Outside the Capitol, long lines of Trump supporters formed in cold weather, hoping to attend the event. The atmosphere inside Capitol One Arena, where many supporters were gathered, remained calm as preparations continued. Media personnel were setting up equipment, and there were still empty seats before the ceremony started.

Meanwhile, inside the White House, the transition of power was already underway. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s office and other spaces were cleared of personal items, as staff wrapped up their roles before the new administration took over.

On a more somber note, President Joe Biden had ordered that flags at federal buildings be lowered for 30 days to honor former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at the age of 100. Many state governors followed suit by lowering flags in their states as well. However, Trump had concerns about the flag at the U.S. Capitol, especially since it was planned to remain at half-staff during his inauguration.

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Global developments and policies

Ahead of the inauguration, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed openness to dialogue with the new U.S. administration regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Putin emphasized the need for peace that respects the interests of all people involved, including those in Ukraine. He congratulated Trump on his upcoming inauguration, hinting at the possibility of renewed discussions between the two countries.

Meanwhile, oil prices saw a slight dip ahead of Trump’s swearing-in. Oil markets were bracing for potential uncertainty with Trump’s second term, which could lead to changes in U.S. foreign policy. Brent crude prices had dropped below $80, signaling potential challenges for global markets.

Once Trump officially takes office, he is expected to declare a national emergency at the southern border and send armed troops to the region. Additionally, he plans to reintroduce a policy requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their U.S. court hearings. This policy was controversial during his first term and is expected to be a key focus in his second term.

Trump will also take office at the age of 77, making him the oldest president ever to be sworn in. However, he will benefit from Republican majorities in both chambers of Congress. This means that Trump will have significant support from his party, with little internal dissent to slow down his agenda.

In Europe, countries like Germany are keeping a close eye on the new U.S. administration's policies. Germany is particularly vulnerable to any changes in tariffs or trade policies that Trump might implement. German Finance Minister Joerg Kukies mentioned that they are waiting to see the steps Trump will take before reacting.

In the financial markets, the U.S. dollar experienced a sharp decline following reports that Trump would hold off on aggressive tariffs for now. This news led to a nearly 1% drop in the value of the dollar. Most other currencies saw gains against the U.S. dollar, highlighting market uncertainty.

As Donald Trump prepares to take office for his second term, many are watching closely to see what changes he will make in both domestic and foreign policy. From the indoor inauguration ceremony to his planned executive actions on the southern border, the world is eager to see how Trump will approach the challenges ahead.