Image of President-elect Donald trump swearing presidential oath in front of family and large crowd

Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president on January 20, 2017. First Lady Melania Trump stands at his side.

Shutterstock.com (stars); Olivier Douliery/Abaca/Sipa via AP Images (Donald and Melania Trump)

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Four More Years

Former President Donald Trump is set to return to his old job on January 20.

January 20, 2025
By the Editors of Scholastic News

Donald Trump will soon be moving back to the White House. In November, Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States. He defeated Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Trump will be inaugurated, or sworn in, on January 20. That means he will officially take office that day. J.D. Vance will also be sworn in as vice president that day.

In 2016, Trump was elected the 45th U.S. president. He served for four years. But Trump lost the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden. 

Trump is set to become only the second president elected to two terms that are not back-to-back. The first was Grover Cleveland. He was elected in 1884 and again in 1892.

Getting Ready

Trump has been busy since he won the election. For example, he’s been choosing the people who will work with him to lead different parts of the government.  

But Trump won’t officially become president until Inauguration Day. The inauguration is a ceremony that takes place at the U.S. Capitol. Trump will take the oath of office (see “Presidential Oath of Office”). It’s the same promise made by every U.S. president since 1789.

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

J.D. Vance with his wife, Usha

On the Job

After taking the oath, Trump will give his inaugural address. In this speech, the new president discusses his goals for the next four years. 

When the ceremony ends, the celebrations will begin. The president and his family will watch a parade. It will include marching bands and military troops. That night, Trump will celebrate at parties called inaugural balls. Then it will be time for the president to get to work.

“This will truly be the golden age of America,” Trump said on November 6. 

Presidential Oath of Office

I , [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.

  1. Why does the article mention Grover Cleveland?
  2. What are three things that happen on Inauguration Day?
  3. What is an oath? Describe the oath that the president takes on Inauguration Day.
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