Donald Trump sworn in as 45th US president

NEW YORK (AA) – Donald Trump placed his hand on two Bibles on Friday and took oath as 45th President of the United States, reiterating an America-first message that catapulted his campaign to the most powerful office in the world.

“From this day forward, it’s going to be only America first, America first,’ he said from the carriage entrance of the Capitol building, the seat of government.

Trump appeared to often lapse into a campaigning style, targeting a message of unity but he delivered one that drove a clear wedge between the political elite and the people, and the past and the future.

Addressing the “people of the world”, Trump said: “We the citizens of America are now joined in a great national effort to rebuild our country and restore its promise for all of our people. Together we will determine the course of America and all of the world for many, many years to come.”

Rain began falling on a chilly day almost exactly as the new president stood at the podium to deliver his address.

Trump repeated campaign pledges of focusing on jobs creation and boosting the economy, and for that he described “two simple rules”: “buy American and hire American.

“January 20th, 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers once again. The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. Everyone is listening to you now,” he said.

Trump thanked former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, for being “magnificent” during the transition of power, while stressing his presidency would go beyond the ordinary four-year election cycle.

He appeared to take aim at many of the politicians who were sitting on stage. Many in his own Republican party.

“Today we are not merely transferring power from one party to another ... but we are transferring power from Washington DC and giving it back to you, the people,” he said.

He said the establishment chose to protect itself. “Their victories have not been your victories,” he said.

“That all changes, right here, starting right now. Because this moment is your moment. It belongs to you.” Trump said to applause. “This is your day, this is your celebration, and this, the United States of America, is your country.”

On foreign policy, the president promised to improve old alliances and build new ones. He renewed a vow to fight against “radical Islamic terrorism” that “we will eradicate completely from the face of the Earth”.

Trump reassured the Americans that their nation would be protected, and not just by the military and law enforcement: ‘most importantly, we will be protected by God,” he said.