LATEST UPDATES: 12:30 p.m.
-Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of U.S.
– During his inaugural speech, Trump pledges to “America first” policies
– Obamas depart the Capitol
Donald Trump has taken the oath of office, becoming the 45th president of the United States of America.
While protesters clashed with police a few kilometres away, Trump was officially sworn in as the country’s president to cheers from the crowd at the National Mall.
Wearing his signature long red tie, Trump raised his right hand and repeated the 35-word oath with U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts presiding.
During his inaugural speech, Trump began thanking the crowd and former presidents in attendance.
“Together we will determine the course of America and the world for many, many years to come,” the president said. “This moment belongs to you.”
Trump delivered his address as the rain began to fall on the crowd at the National Mall. His speech, much like his campaign, was focused on “America First.”
“We will get our people off welfare and back to work, rebuilding our country with American hands and American labour,” Trump said. “We will follow two simple rules, buy American and hire American.”
The president spoke for nearly 15 minutes to cheers from the National Mall.
“Your voice, your hopes, and your dreams will define our American destiny,” Trump said. “And yes, together, we will make America great again.”
Following Trump’s inauguration, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement, congratulating the new president.
“Canada and the United States have built one of the closest relationships between any two countries in the world. This enduring partnership is essential to our shared prosperity and security,” Trudeau said in the statement. “Together, we benefit from robust trade and investment ties, and integrated economies, that support millions of Canadian and American jobs. We both want to build economies where the middle class, and those working hard to join it, have a fair shot at success.”
Canada’s newly-minted international trade minister was in Davos, Switzerland on Inauguration Day, meeting with his counterparts from around the globe, including the U.S.
Trump’s protectionist agenda, one that could include a tariff on all goods crossing into the States – including those from Canada – has raised flags for Canadian economists and politicians concerned about the hit Canada’s economy might take as a consequence.
A client note from the National Bank of Canada indicated a proposed 10 per cent border adjustment tax will cause Canada’s total exports south of the border to drop by nine per cent.
The prime minister and his cabinet, though, are maintaining confidence in public. Trudeau and his ministers have faced repeated questioning about Canada’s preparation for potentially damaging policies.
The answers are boilerplate, repeated most recently in an interview with International Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne.
“We share the largest unguarded border in the world, we have $2.4 billion in trade of goods and services every day, we have 35 states in the United States which have Canada as their major export market, we have nine million jobs in the U.S. which depend on trade with Canada,” he said in an interview airing Sunday on The West Block.
“What I’ve been doing with [U.S.] officials here [in Davos] is to remind them of the integrated economy and the prosperity.”
The president-elect took to social media early Friday saying “It all begins today!”
“I will see you at 11:00 A.M. for the swearing-in. THE MOVEMENT CONTINUES – THE WORK BEGINS!” the incoming president tweeted.
WATCH: Donald Trump thanks Americans on eve of his inauguration
Before meeting with Trump, outgoing President Barack Obama also took to social media to share his final words before departing the White House.
“I’m still asking you to believe – not in my ability to bring about change, but in yours. I believe in change because I believe in you,” the outgoing president said in a series of tweets.
Trump and his wife arrived at the White House about 9:40 a.m. ET where they were greeted by Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. The pair exchanged hugs and posed for media. Trump was seen giving a thumbs-up to the Obamas from the back of an SUV.
The procession to the Capitol began just before 11 a.m. as the presidential motorcade made its way through city streets lined with a saluting honour guard.
READ MORE: Donald Trump inauguration schedule – what happens and when
Television footage showed large gaps of empty space at the National Mall before the arrival of Trump as people continued to make their way to the ceremony.
Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and her husband, former president Bill Clinton arrived at the Capitol around 10:30 a.m., making her appearance the first time Clinton will see Trump since her defeat in November.
WATCH: Barack and Michelle Obama welcome the Trumps to the White House
The Trumps and Obamas were expected to have tea and coffee together before travelling together to the Capitol.
READ MORE: Donald Trump inauguration schedule – what happens and when
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who presided over the swearing-in, arrived shortly after the Clintons. Roberts has presided over four swearing-in’s, including Obama’s.
Protesters were out early attempting to block entrances to the National Mall. Photos on social media show a group of demonstrators linked arm-in-arm, blocking several checkpoints along the afternoon parade route.
https://twitter.com/jeffrae/status/822433096121352192/photo/1
https://twitter.com/jeffrae/status/822441764732764162/photo/1
Several protesters were heard chanting “We will not be moved.”
Trump arrived in Washington Thursday where he and Pence placed a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery before attending a luncheon at Trump hotel. He was then welcomed at a celebratory concert at the Lincoln Memorial Thursday evening.
Timelapse video: Hundreds line up in Washington ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration
“It’s a movement like we’ve never seen anywhere in the world,” Trump told the crowd. “You’re not forgotten anymore. You’re not forgotten anymore.”
A few blocks away, protesters and Trump supporters clashed outside the National Press Club where a pro-Trump celebration ball was being hosted.
As the Associated Press reported, several protesters were heard booing attendees coming to and from the event.
“No Trump! No KKK, no fascist USA!” protesters yelled.
WATCH: Bikers for Trump descend on Washington
Protesters are expected to fill the streets again on Saturday during a “Women’s March on Washington.” Similar marches are expected in other cities in the U.S. and in some Canadian cities.
Trump will begin his presidency with his inaugural address, a speech he is said to have written himself with some help from his top aides.
It will be “a very personal and sincere statement about his vision for the country,” Trump’s spokesman Sean Spicer said.
Trump will be sworn in and recite the oath office by placing his hand on two Bibles – the Lincoln Bible, once owned by President Abraham Lincoln, and a Bible he has owned since childhood.
–with files from Global News reporter Nicole Bogart, and Reuters wire service.
