Donald Trump is the 45th president of the United States of America.
While protesters clashed with police a few kilometres away, Trump was officially sworn in Friday to cheers from the crowd at the National Mall.
Wearing his signature long red tie, Trump raised his right hand and repeated the 35-word oath with U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts presiding.
The Trumps then embarked on their inaugural parade to the White House, and are set to spend the rest of the evening attending a number of balls in the nation’s capital.
In the midst of the festivities, President Trump also found time to sign an executive order seeking to ease regulatory burdens associated with Obamacare.
Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 45th president of the United States
WATCH: Full video coverage of Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 45th president of the United States
During his inaugural speech, Trump began thanking the crowd and former presidents in attendance before launching into a campaign-style speech.
“Together we will determine the course of America and the world for many, many years to come,” the president said. “This moment belongs to you.”
As the rain began to fall, Trump delivered his address to the crowd at the National Mall and, much like his campaign, focused on “America First.”
“We will get our people off welfare and back to work, rebuilding our country with American hands and American labour,” Trump said. “We will follow two simple rules, buy American and hire American.”
The president spoke for roughly 16 minutes to cheers from supporters.
“Your voice, your hopes, and your dreams will define our American destiny,” Trump said. “And yes, together, we will make America great again.”
During his inaugural lunch at the Capitol following the swearing-in ceremony, Trump said he was honoured that Hillary Clinton, his rival in the White House race, came to the event.
“I was very very honored when I heard that Bill Clinton and secretary Hillary Clinton was coming today. I think it’s very important. And I’d like you to stand up. I’d like you to stand up,” Trump said.
The bipartisan crowd of lawmakers and other dignitaries gave the former secretary of state a standing ovatio. Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, sat with members of Trump’s family at the event.
Trump ended by saying he has “a lot of respect for those two people.”
The Trumps later boarded a limousine to lead an inaugural parade to the White House. The couple and their 10-year-old-son Barron hopped out of the limo and walked part of the parade route, waving to cheering well wishers.
WATCH: U.S. President Donald Trump exits his motorcade to walk the parade route during his presidential inauguration.
Justin Trudeau celebrates ‘enduring partnership’ with US
Following Trump’s inauguration, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement, congratulating the new president.
“Canada and the United States have built one of the closest relationships between any two countries in the world. This enduring partnership is essential to our shared prosperity and security,” Trudeau said in the statement. “Together, we benefit from robust trade and investment ties, and integrated economies, that support millions of Canadian and American jobs. We both want to build economies where the middle class, and those working hard to join it, have a fair shot at success.”
Canada’s newly-minted international trade minister was in Davos, Switzerland on Inauguration Day, meeting with his counterparts from around the globe, including the U.S.
Trump’s protectionist agenda, one that could include a tariff on all goods crossing into the States – including those from Canada – has raised flags for Canadian economists and politicians concerned about the hit Canada’s economy might take as a consequence.
IN PHOTOS: Trump’s inauguration as the 45th president of the United States
But the prime minister and his cabinet, though, are maintaining confidence in public.
“We share the largest unguarded border in the world, we have $2.4 billion in trade of goods and services every day, we have 35 states in the United States which have Canada as their major export market, we have nine million jobs in the U.S. which depend on trade with Canada,” International Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said in an interview airing Sunday on The West Block.
Following his swearing-in, Trump took to his personal Twitter account to once again say he will make “America first.”
“January 20th 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again,” the president tweeted.
Earlier Friday, Trump began his day by having a private breakfast with his family at the presidential guest house before attending a church service.
Trump took to social media early Friday saying “It all begins today!”
“I will see you at 11:00 A.M. for the swearing-in. THE MOVEMENT CONTINUES – THE WORK BEGINS!” the incoming president tweeted.
Before meeting with Trump, outgoing President Barack Obama also took to social media to share his final words before departing the White House.
“It’s been the honor of my life to serve you. You made me a better leader and a better man,” Obama tweeted. “I won’t stop; I’ll be right there with you as a citizen, inspired by your voices of truth and justice, good humor, and love.
“I’m still asking you to believe – not in my ability to bring about change, but in yours. I believe in change because I believe in you,” the outgoing president said in a series of tweets.
Trump and his wife arrived at the White House about 9:40 a.m. ET where they were greeted by Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. The pair exchanged hugs and posed for media. Trump was seen giving a thumbs-up to the Obamas from the back of an SUV.
The procession to the Capitol began just before 11 a.m. as the presidential motorcade made its way through city streets lined with a saluting honour guard.
Television footage showed large gaps of empty space at the National Mall before the arrival of Trump as people continued to make their way to the ceremony.
According to Washington DCs Metro, ridership as of 11 a.m. was roughly 193,000 trips taken compared to 513,000 in 2009.
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Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and her husband, former president Bill Clinton arrived at the Capitol around 10:30 a.m., making her appearance the first time Clinton will see Trump since the presidential debates.
Protests coincided with Trump’s inauguration
Protesters were out early attempting to block entrances to the National Mall. Photos on social media showed a group of demonstrators linked arm-in-arm, blocking several checkpoints along the afternoon parade route.
Several protesters were heard chanting “We will not be moved.”
WATCH: Full coverage of protests against Donald Trump’s presidency
Hundreds of demonstrators were dressed in black as they made their way down Pennsylvania Ave.
Away from the Capitol, masked activists ran through the streets smashing windows with hammers at a McDonald’s restaurant, a Starbucks coffee shop and a steakhouse several blocks from the White House.
They carried black anarchist flags and signs that said, “Join the resistance, fight back now.” Police used pepper spray and chased them down a major avenue.
According to the Associated Press, DC police said at least two officers were injured and police cars were damaged by protesters following the inauguration.
Police used pepper spray on the demonstrators in an attempt to disperse the group. More than 90 people were arrested and several were charged with rioting.
Protesters are expected to fill the streets again on Saturday during a “Women’s March on Washington.” Similar marches are expected in other cities in the U.S. and in some Canadian cities.
– Global News reporter Amy Minsky and Andrew Russell contributed to this report. With files from Reuters wire service.