In his first speech after being sworn in for a second, non-consecutive term, President Donald Trump promised a comprehensive crackdown on illegal immigration, vowing to send “millions and millions of criminal aliens” back to their home countries.

During his inauguration ceremony on Monday, Trump outlined a series of executive orders aimed at tackling what he described as the growing threat of illegal immigration.

He emphasized that his administration would take immediate action to halt illegal entries at the U.S.-Mexico border.

“Today, I will sign a set of historic executive orders,” Trump declared.

“These measures will mark the beginning of the full restoration of America and usher in a new era of common sense and lawfulness.”

Trump announced plans to declare a national emergency at the southern border to ensure that illegal immigration comes to a halt.

“All illegal entry will be stopped immediately, and we will begin the process of returning millions of criminal aliens to their countries of origin,” he said.

Additionally, the president reaffirmed his commitment to reinstating the controversial “Remain in Mexico” policy, under which asylum seekers would be required to stay in Mexico while awaiting their immigration court hearings in the U.S.

Renowned political scientist Professor Bolaji Akinyemi has urged President Bola Tinubu to be cautious in his dealings with the newly inaugurated 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Akinyemi warned that engaging in a confrontation with Trump could prove unwise.

“If I were President Tinubu, I would avoid antagonizing Trump,” Akinyemi stated.

“There is nothing a bully enjoys more than taking on those who are not strong enough to resist him,” he added, stressing that sometimes it is better to avoid direct confrontation, even if it means enduring actions that may be contrary to Nigeria’s interests.

Akinyemi, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), further referenced an African proverb, noting that confronting a bully without the strength to back it up can lead to unnecessary suffering.

He advised Tinubu to find ways to address any issues with Trump without engaging in a head-on confrontation.

Commenting on Trump’s inaugural speech, Akinyemi expressed disappointment, calling it “uninspiring,” “shocking,” and “depressing.”

Instead of uniting the world, Trump’s address focused on asserting aggressive policies, including controversial stances like reclaiming the Panama Canal and renaming the Gulf of Mexico.

Akinyemi warned that Trump would soon face the consequences of his “jingoistic” policies, predicting a tumultuous four years ahead.

Akinyemi, who also served as Nigeria’s former Minister of External Affairs, stated that Nigeria would likely not be a priority under Trump’s administration.

He urged that Nigeria should not expect any extraordinary changes in relations with the U.S. during Trump’s second term.

Trump was sworn in on Monday, marking his return to the presidency after losing his re-election bid in 2020.

At his inauguration, he was surrounded by a group of powerful figures, including billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg.

In contrast to his previous refusal to attend Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration, former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton were present at this event, signaling a return to traditional norms, despite the absence of Michelle Obama, who chose not to attend.

The United Nations warned on Monday that it would require billions of dollars to rebuild Gaza after the 15-month-long war between Israel and Hamas.

A ceasefire between the two sides took effect on Sunday, bringing an end to the devastating conflict that has ravaged the Gaza Strip and further fueled tensions across the Middle East.

According to Israeli sources, the Hamas attacks on Israel led to 1,200 fatalities, while Israel’s retaliatory strikes have resulted in over 46,000 deaths in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry.

The UN’s damage assessment, released this month, highlighted the monumental task of clearing the debris left by Israel’s bombardment, with over 50 million tonnes of rubble estimated to take 21 years to clear at a cost of up to 1.2 billion dollars.

The debris is feared to be contaminated with asbestos, and some refugee camps affected by the conflict are known to have been constructed using this material.

Additionally, the rubble likely contains human remains, with the Palestinian Ministry of Health estimating that 10,000 bodies are still trapped under the debris.

The UN Development Programme stated on Sunday that Gaza’s development had been set back by 69 years due to the war.

A UN report from 2024 projected that the rebuilding of Gaza’s homes would take at least until 2040, with the process potentially extending for many decades.

According to UN satellite data (UNOSAT), approximately two-thirds of Gaza’s buildings, over 170,000 structures, have been damaged or destroyed.

This includes 245,123 housing units, leaving over 1.8 million people in need of emergency shelter.

The damage to infrastructure has been estimated at 18.5 billion dollars by the end of January 2024, affecting essential services such as healthcare, education, and energy.

The UN humanitarian office also reported that less than 25% of Gaza’s pre-war water supply is currently operational, and nearly 70% of the road network has been damaged.

Furthermore, more than half of Gaza’s agricultural land has been destroyed by the ongoing conflict, leading to widespread hunger.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization reported in 2024 that over 95% of Gaza’s cattle and nearly half of the sheep have died or been slaughtered due to the war.

The conflict has also led to the destruction of over 200 government buildings, 136 schools, 823 mosques, and three churches.

While some hospitals have been damaged, only 17 out of 36 medical units were partially functional as of January 2024.

Amnesty International’s Crisis Evidence Lab documented extensive destruction along Gaza’s eastern border, where over 90% of buildings, including 3,500 structures, were either destroyed or severely damaged as of May 2024.

Donald Trump has officially been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, making a rare political comeback four years after his defeat to Joe Biden.

The 78-year-old former president vowed to take immediate action on key issues such as immigration and cultural policies as part of his return to power.

Trump’s inauguration on Monday marked a stark contrast to his 2017 ceremony, with the billionaire now surrounded by powerful figures from America’s elite, including tech moguls like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Sundar Pichai, who all attended the event.

Musk, a significant financial backer of Trump’s campaign, has also been tasked with leading efforts to reduce government spending in the new administration.

In a departure from tradition, President Biden attended the inauguration alongside other former presidents, including Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, while some former first ladies also made an appearance. However, Michelle Obama notably skipped the ceremony.

Notably, foreign leaders were also present for Trump’s second term, including Argentina’s far-right president Javier Milei and Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Due to cold weather, the inauguration was moved indoors for the first time since Ronald Reagan’s 1985 ceremony, limiting the traditional outdoor crowds on the National Mall.

Behind the spectacle, Trump wasted no time in beginning his right-wing, nationalist agenda.

He announced plans for over 100 executive orders aimed at reversing much of President Biden’s policies.

Among his first actions, Trump is set to declare a national emergency at the Mexico border, increase military involvement in border security, and end birthright citizenship.

He also plans to target undocumented immigration with immediate deportations.

Trump is also expected to sign an order recognizing only two biological sexes and work to dismantle federal diversity programs as part of his first days in office.