Donald Trump has said he was “saved by God to make America great again” as he delivered his inaugural address.
Trump reflected on the assassination attempts against him last year, saying he had been saved “for a reason”.
“Just a few months ago, in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear,” he said.
“But I felt then and believe even more so now, that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again.”
The 78-year-old also said the “golden age of America” begins now as he vowed to “put America first” in his first speech as 47th president of the United States.
He said the nation would be “proud, prosperous and free”.
“America will soon be greater, stronger and far more exceptional than ever before,” he said.
Trump was sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, saying: “I do solemnly swear 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, so help me God.”
It came as part of a historic inauguration ceremony on Monday, marking his second time entering the highest office.
He said a “thrilling” new era of national success had arrived, adding that he was feeling “confident and optimistic” about what is to come.
Addressing black and Hispanic communities, Trump said: “I’ve heard your voices in the campaign and I look forward to working with you in the years to come.”
He added that it was Martin Luther King Day and that “in his honour, we will strive together to make his dream a reality”, in reference to his “I have a dream” speech.
Trump also used his speech, which was almost 30 minutes long, to outline the first changes he will be making as president.
He said he will sign a “series of historic executive orders” and begin a “revolution of common sense”.
The president said he would declare a national emergency at the southern border, with all illegal entry being “immediately be halted”.
He also said he would “declare a national energy emergency” and “drill, baby, drill”.
He went on to say that he would end all government censorship “and bring back free speech to America”.
“Never again will the immense power of the state be weaponised to persecute political opponents,” he said.
Turning his attention to gender, he said: “As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”
Trump said there would be an end to “the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life”.
“We will forge a society that is colour-blind and merit based,” he said.
Among other plans set out were the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico and “taking back” Panama Canal.
By Emma Soteriou
