President Trump hailed his return to office as the start of a "thrilling new era" that would bolster values such as democracy and freedom. Why it matters: While Trump's overtures reflected his intent to strike a warmer tone than in 2017 — when his inauguration speech decried "American carnage" — much of the content of his inaugural address retained the dark message of his first address.

As he promised more protections for free speech, he referenced planned actions that could threaten some vulnerable groups.

President Trump said on Monday that a "tide of change" is sweeping the U.S., moments after he was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.

In his inaugural address, President Donald Trump promised to "reverse a horrible betrayal" by the outgoing Biden administration and to "give people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and indeed their freedom.