President Donald Trump has painted a bleak picture of a broken country after being sworn in as US president. He spoke of abandoned factories, rampant crime and a failed education system, pledging that his presidency would bring about change.
“This American carnage stops right here and stops right now,” President Trump said on the steps of the Capitol.
Thousands of Trump supporters travelled across the country to witness the occasion from the National Mall.
The moment marks the end of an improbable journey for the property tycoon after a campaign marked by controversy.
Shortly after the ceremony Mr Trump was seen signing his first official actions as the 45th president. He sent his Cabinet nominations to the Senate as well as a signed a proclamation for a national day of patriotism, according to Press Secretary Sean Spicer.
He also signed his first executive order as president, ordering federal agencies to ease the regulatory burdens associated with Barack Obama’s health care laws, known as Obamacare, as the US Congress determines how to repeal and replace them.
Mr Trump briefly spoke at a Capitol luncheon to thank his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, urging them to rise to applause.
In his inaugural address, he promised to be the voice of the “forgotten people”, ignored by Washington politicians.
Today, he said, was “the day the people became rulers of this nation again”.
“I will fight for you with every breath left in my body and I will never ever let you down,” said President Trump after Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath.
“America will start winning again, winning like never before.
“We will bring back our jobs, bring back our borders, bring back our wealth and we will bring back our dreams.”
In an address that was tonally consistent with candidate Trump’s campaign rhetoric, the president railed against a Washington elite that flourished while the American people suffered.
American voters - at least ones in enough states to form an Electoral College majority - have taken a chance on Mr Trump. His presidency will be a remarkable experiment for American democracy, as it’s clear after this speech that Mr Trump intends to govern as he campaigned.
The new president has set the stage. He has four years to make his supporters proud and prove all the doubters wrong.
Mr Obama delivered remarks to staff and supporters before he and his wife flew to Palm Springs, California, for a holiday.
The transfer of power prompted congratulatory messages for Mr Trump from dignitaries around the world including Pope Francis.
He said he was praying Mr Trump’s decisions would be guided by the “rich spiritual and ethical values” that have shaped America’s history.
Former presidents and first ladies, including George W Bush and his wife Laura as well as Jimmy Carter, were in attendance. The only absences were 92-year-old George Bush Senior, who is in hospital being treated for respiratory problems, and his wife Barbara. But more than 50 House Democrats had refused to attend the ceremony in protest.
Mr Trump takes power at a time when the country appears to be deeply divided. He enters the presidency with historically low approval ratings.
He has vowed to roll back many of his predecessor’s policies, including repealing Mr Obama’s signature health care law and building a wall along the US-Mexico border.
Police arrested 217 people protesting against the inauguration and six officers suffered minor injuries, according to the Washington DC Police Department. Many were apprehended for “vandalism and destruction of property”, said spokesman Lieutenant Sean Conboy. - BBC
