Donald Trump’s Return to the Presidency
Donald Trump will become the next US president, succeeding Joe Biden after winning the November 2024 election against Kamala Harris. This marks Trump’s second term, following his presidency from 2017 to 2021.
When Does Trump Take Office?
Trump is currently the president-elect, and his running mate JD Vance is the vice-president-elect. They will officially assume their roles during the presidential inauguration on Monday, January 20, 2025.
Preparing for Leadership
Since the election, Trump has engaged in various activities to prepare for his term:
- Meeting with Leaders: Trump has met with outgoing president Joe Biden at the White House to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. He has also spoken with international leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- Business Engagements: Trump has hosted business figures such as Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, Shou Zi Chew, and Tim Cook at Mar-a-Lago.
- National Security Briefings: Trump and his team have received updates on military operations and current threats.
Cabinet Nominations and Controversies
Trump has made several high-profile nominations for his administration:
- Pete Hesgeth for defense secretary, facing scrutiny over qualifications and past allegations.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary, known for controversial vaccine claims.
- Pam Bondi for attorney general, after initial pick Matt Gaetz withdrew due to allegations of misconduct.
Other notable appointments include Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head the advisory Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) and several family-related nominations, such as Massad Boulos and Charles Kushner in advisory and ambassadorial roles.
Transition Timeline
After securing a decisive 312 electoral college votes against Harris’ 226, Trump’s victory was ratified by Congress on January 6, 2025. Kamala Harris, as outgoing vice-president, presided over this process.
Trump’s inauguration on January 20 will feature the oath of office and his inaugural address. Notably, Biden has confirmed his attendance.
Can Trump Serve a Third Term?
No. The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution prohibits anyone from serving more than two terms as president, whether consecutive or non-consecutive. While a former president could theoretically serve as vice-president, experts consider this scenario unlikely.
