Everything Trump said about national security on Day 1

Within minutes of becoming commander-in-chief for the second time, President Donald Trump vowed to send troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, reinstate service members dismissed for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, and reclaim the Panama Canal. 

“The Golden Age of America begins right now,” he said in opening remarks. “That is why each day under our administration of American patriots, we will be working to meet every crisis with dignity and power and strength. We will move with purpose and speed to bring back hope, prosperity, safety and peace for citizens of every race, religion, color and creed. 

For American citizens, January 20, 2025, is Liberation Day.”

Trump’s first speech of his second term was speckled with campaign promises and criticisms of the previous administration—especially its support of Ukraine. 

“We have a government that has given unlimited funding to the defense of foreign borders, but refuses to defend American borders or more importantly, its own people,” he said, before suggesting the military aid sent to Ukraine harmed the country’s ability to support victims of hurricanes in North Carolina and fires in Los Angeles. The U.S. has sent about $77 billion in military aid to Ukraine, nearly a third of which has been equipment from Pentagon stockpiles.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin congratulated Trump ahead of the inauguration, inviting him to talk about Ukraine and nuclear arms. Trump did not mention Russia’s war on Ukraine by name.

Trump’s inauguration speech largely stuck to known administration priorities, from the border to renaming landmarks. Here’s a quick rundown:

U.S.-Mexico border

“First, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border,” Trump said, signaling his intent to use the military in mass deportations of undocumented persons. “And I will send troops to the southern border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country.” 

Trump’s list of first priorities also included designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. 

National Guard troops have been deployed for border security since 2018. 

Reinstating troops

“This week I will reinstate any service members who were unjustly expelled from our military for objecting to the COVID vaccine mandate, with full back pay,” Trump declared. “And I will sign an order to stop our warriors from being subjected to radical political theories and social experiments while on duty. It’s going to end immediately.” 

In 2017, Trump reinstated a ban to keep transgender Americans from serving in the military—a policy he promised during his campaign to again reinstate in his second term. During his inauguration speech, the president said the U.S. will create a “colorblind and merit based” society, and official policy would only recognize “male and female” genders. 

Moreover, earlier this month, senators grilled Trump’s pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, for remarks about the military lowering its standards so women could serve.

“Our armed forces will be free to focus on their sole mission: defeating America’s enemies,” he said. 

Trump vowed to build up the military and to measure success by winning battles and ending and avoiding wars. 

“My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and a unifier. That’s what I want to be: a peacemaker and a unifier. I’m pleased to say that as of yesterday, one day before I assumed office, the hostages in the Middle East are coming back home to their families,” Trump said, seemingly taking credit for the Biden administration’s negotiated release of Israeli hostages and ceasefire in the Hamas-Israel war. 

Panama, a new Gulf and re-renaming landmarks

“A short time from now, we’ll be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. And we will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, to where it should be and where it belongs,” Trump said.

In 2015, President Barack Obama renamed the tallest peak in the U.S., Alaska’s Mount Denali, in honor of indigenous Alaskans and traditions.  

Trump also alleged that Panama has broken its treaty to the U.S. through increased fees, and said the U.S. is “taking it back.”

“President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent. He was a natural businessman and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country Panama.” 

Additionally, in less scripted remarks to supporters following inauguration, Trump referred to Jan. 6 rioters as “hostages,” explaining why he omitted them from his first speech. 

“I was going to talk about the J6 hostages. But you’ll be happy because, you know, it’s action, not words, that count. And you’re going to see a lot of action,” he said. 

Trump has promised blanket pardons for Jan. 6 defendants.

Ahead of the inauguration, President Joe Biden signed a slew of preemptive pardons for individuals who could be political targets of the Trump-Vance administration, including retired Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, Biden’s chief medical advisor, and congressional members who were involved with the House Select Committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.