Editorial

15:12 JST, January 22, 2025

He has no hesitation in publicly stating that he will become a “dictator” and is trying to force to their knees even countries that are friendly with his nation in order to promote his “America First” policy. This unusual U.S. president has returned to power after a four-year absence.

Will he destabilize the international order and democracy that the United States itself has led? An era filled with uncertainty has begun once again.

Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States.

Due to severe cold weather, the venue for the inauguration ceremony was changed from outside the U.S. Capitol to indoors for the first time in 40 years. The inauguration, witnessed only by invited guests, seemed to symbolize his inward-looking second-term administration bolstered by yes-men who have pledged their loyalty to Trump.

In his inaugural speech, Trump reiterated that he will “put America first.” He can be said to have made clear that there will be a shift from the approach of international cooperation taken by the administration of former President Joe Biden to isolationism, based on Trump’s unique worldview that the United States has been exploited by other countries.

As a measure against illegal immigrants, Trump said he will declare a “national emergency” in the Mexican border areas and indicated a policy of sending U.S. troops there. It is highly unusual to mobilize troops for a domestic mission........

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