Donald Trump sworn in as 45th President of the United States

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ET
Donald Trump sworn in as 45th President of the United States

19:47, UK, Friday 20 January 2017

By Greg Milam, US Correspondent, in Washington

Donald Trump has pledged to put America first and lead a "great national effort" to be rebuild the country after being sworn in as its 45th President.

The 70-year-old billionaire took the oath of office on the west steps of the US Capitol in Washington, bringing down the curtain on the presidency of Barack Obama.

The tycoon, who has never held public office before in his life, is now the most powerful leader on the planet.

There has been unrest on the streets of Washington before and after the inauguration ceremony, with black-clad demonstrators smashing shop and car windows, setting fires in the street and police making more than 90 arrests.
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In his inaugural address, Mr Trump promised to transfer power from Washington to the people.

Mr Trump said 20 January would be remembered as "the day the people became the rulers of this nation again".

"The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer," the new President said.

Mr Trump added: "From this day forward it's going to be only America first.
Donald Trump is sworn is as the 45th US President
Video: Donald Trump becomes 45th US President

"We must protect our border from the ravages of other countries. I will fight for you with every breath of my body and I will never let you down."

Continuing the populist tone of his victorious campaign, Mr Trump said that a "small group" in Washington had "reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost".

"Washington flourished but the people did not share in its wealth," he said.

"Politicians prospered but the jobs left and the factories closed.
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"The establishment protected itself but not the citizens of our country."

He added: "That all changes starting right here and right now because this moment is your moment and it belongs to you."

Mr Trump said the "carnage" seen on American streets - "the crime, and the gangs, and the drugs that have stolen too many lives" - "stops right here and stops right now".

The US would "start winning again" like "never before, he vowed, promising to build new roads, bridges, airports, tunnels and railways "all across our wonderful nation".
Barack Obama and Donald Trump travel together to the Capitol
Video: Obama and Trump travel in convoy to ceremony

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Turning his attention to the rest of the world, Mr Trump said the US would "seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world", but with the understanding that it is the right of all countries to "put their own interests first".

He continued: "We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones and unite the civilised world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the Earth."

Mr Trump also issued a call for unity following one of the most rancorous and divisive election campaigns in the nation's history.

"We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly but always pursue solidarity," he told those gathered.
Michelle Obama receives a gift from Melania Trump
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"When America is united, America is totally unstoppable."

The Republican took time to praise his predecessor, thanking Mr Obama and his wife Michelle for their "gracious aid" throughout the transition, saying they had been "magnificent".

Hundreds of thousands of people packed onto the National Mall to witness one of the most remarkable transfers of power in American history.
Barack Obama waves to the media at the White House

Video: Barack Obama waves on his last day in White House

The President is expected to begin issuing executive orders within hours, in a bid to keep his campaign promises.

As they welcomed Mr Trump as their new commander-in-chief, Americans also said farewell to Mr Obama after eight years in the Oval Office.

Before he left the White House for the final time Mr Obama penned a letter to his successor, and used Twitter to say it had been "the honour of my life" to serve the American people.

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