Dozens of executive orders were prepared for his signature to clamp down on border crossings, increase fossil fuel development, and end diversity and inclusion programs across the federal government.

At 12:01 p.m. Eastern today, Donald Trump was sworn in as president of the United States. His return to the White House for a second term caps a political comeback unlike any other in U.S. history. He was voted out of office, impeached, indicted and convicted of 34 felonies. Now, Trump is leading the country again.

The reëlected President reprised his “American Carnage” address, with repeated jabs at America’s “decline” under Joe Biden, but his central theme, as always, was himself.

Gavin Newsom quickly hit back on X with a post quoting Trump’s statement and sharing photos of firefighters battling the flames.) Trump in a second speech fired up his criticisms of a California law banning local governments from requiring voter ID — repeating his assertion that he would’ve won the state in November if its election system was more restrictive.