(BBC) President Donald Trump has painted a bleak picture of a broken country after being sworn in as US president.
He spoke of abandoned factories, rampant crime and a failed education system, pledging that his presidency would bring about change.
“This American carnage stops right here and stops right now,” President Trump said on the steps of the Capitol.
Thousands of Trump supporters travelled across the country to witness the occasion from the National Mall.
The moment marks the end of an improbable journey for the property tycoon after a campaign marked by controversy.
Shortly after the ceremony Mr Trump was seen signing his first official actions as the 45th president.
He sent his Cabinet nominations to the Senate as well as a signed a proclamation for a national day of patriotism, according to Press Secretary Sean Spicer.
He also signed his first executive order as president, ordering federal agencies to ease the regulatory burdens associated with Barack Obama’s health care laws, known as Obamacare, as the US Congress determines how to repeal and replace them.
he also signed into law a waiver allowing retired Marine General James Mattis, his pick for defence secretary, to serve in the post.
The Senate has voted overwhelmingly to approve retired Marine general John Kelly as Mr Trump’s secretary of Homeland Security.
The change of hands was reflected on the White House website, which was scrubbed of Mr Obama’s policies and replaced with Mr Trump’s new agenda.
The Trump administration has only listed six issues on the website: energy, foreign policy, jobs and growth, military, law enforcement and trade deals.
Critics pointed out the revamped site made no mention of civil rights, LGBT rights, healthcare or climate change
