Trump pledges to do things that haven’t been done in the U.S.

Real estate mogul and Washington outsider Donald Trump officially swore in as the 45th president of the U.S. and began his first day of inauguration. The world is expecting a roller-coaster ride for the next four years under a new leadership in the U.S. led by Trump who is not happy with the global order that has been shaped by the U.S. after the Second World War.

In the inaugural event held on Capitol Hill at noon, Trump took to the stage and emphasized his principle “America First,” saying, “We will make America great again.” Trump promised more substantial changes across almost all spheres of economy, diplomacy, national security and society. In addition, Trump pledged to serve and follow people’s will to call for a real change in America, which was expressed during the presidential election, and delivered his goals including highest job growth, expansion of social overhead capital (infrastructure) such as airport and road, revival of the U.S. manufacturing sector and a stronger border control near Mexico.

Trump highlighted that “Americanism” would be the first principle of his leadership’s steering of administration. Accordingly, he made certain to emphasize his message that he would engage in universally cooperative relations with major competitors such as China when it comes to foreign policy while not surrendering in any competition to win the supremacy in the world. He said he would expand the military capability of the U.S. to the strongest level ever if it is necessary to protect the U.S. from a terrorist threat. It is a clear sign that the U.S. would adopt the highest measure and take relevant actions if North Korea launches an intercontinental ballistic missile as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had announced in early January. In regards with Trump’s stance toward North Korea, James Mattis, Trump’s pick as the next defense secretary, said during his confirmation hearing, “I don’t think we should take anything off the table.”

“I'm the messenger. I will unify the country for all our people,” Trump spoke to audience on Thursday evening at a concert at the Lincoln Memorial. “You are not forgotten anymore.” “We are going to do things that haven’t been done in our country for many decades, I promise you. We will make America great again. We will make America great for all of our people, everybody throughout the country.”

Trump began the first day as the U.S. president, became a new commander in chief and received a nuclear launch code on Friday at noon. “A new administration is fully ready to begin the first day,” new Vice President Mike Pence told reporters before the inauguration and reconfirmed a new leadership’s commitment to proceed with core tasks without any delays.

Seung-Heon Lee ddr@donga.com