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President Donald Trump put the world on notice in his inauguration speech that his administration would be putting "America first."

Moments after being sworn in as the nation’s 45th president, Mr Trump launched into a battle cry for popularism with his radical pledge to end "American carnage" and put his nation’s interests ahead of all others.

His message was aimed squarely at the supporters who swept him to power in a nationalistic fervour and he made no attempt to appease the establishment that surrounded him on the steps of the Capitol building in the heart of Washington.

"We assembled here today are issuing a new decree to be heard in every city, in every foreign capital and in every hall of power," he said.

"From this day forward a new vision will govern our land, from this day forward it’s going to be only America first, America first.

"Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families.

"We will follow two simple rules - buy American and hire American," he added, to applause.

With his wife, Melania, dressed in a glamorous sky blue coat, by his side and flanked by his five children, Mr Trump was sworn in as president by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.

President Trump later entered the armoured car dubbed 'The Beast' with First Lady Melania for the inaugural parade down the Mall in Washington DC.

Donald Trump Inauguration Day - In pictures 33 show all Donald Trump Inauguration Day - In pictures 1/33 Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States AP 2/33 US President Barack Obama (right) and First Lady Michelle Obama (left) welcome Preisdent-elect Donald Trump (second right) and his wife Melania to the White House in Washington Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images 3/33 President Barack Obama stands at right as first lady Michelle Obama hugs President-elect Donald Trump at the White House in Washington Evan Vucci/AP 4/33 The presidential motorcade drives down Pennsylvania Ave towards the U.S. Capitol in Washington Joe Raedle/Getty Images 5/33 Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton waves as she arrives with her husband former President Bill Clinton Rick Wilking/Reuters 6/33 People gather on the National Mall prior to the inauguration Patrick Smith/Getty Images 7/33 Donald Trump's children Ivanka Trump (L), Tiffany Trump, Donald Trump Jr, and Eric Trump arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington lex Wong/Getty Images 8/33 US President Barack Obama (right) and First Lady Michelle Obama (second left) welcome Preisdent-elect Donald Trump (left) and his wife Melania (second right) to the White House in Washington Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images 9/33 Members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the seats on the West Front of the US Capitol several hours before Donald J. Trump is sworn in as the 45th President of the United States in Washington Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA 10/33 Tiffany Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., Ivanka Trump, Vanessa Trump and Jared Kushner arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Drew Angerer/Getty Images 11/33 Protesters chain themselves to an entry point prior at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump Bryan Woolston/Reuters 12/33 People begin to gfill in the National Mall a short time before Donald J. Trump is sworn in as the 45th President of the United States in Washington Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA 13/33 Supporters and protesters turn out for the Inauguration of President-Elect Donald Trump in Washington Theo Wargo/Getty Images 14/33 A man walks a dog in a Donald Trump costume carrying a doll depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin holding an US flag as they head to join a demonstration at the US embassy in central London Hayoung Jeon/EPA 15/33 President Elect Donald Trump's children Barron Trump (L), Tiffany Trump and Eric Trump arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Joe Raedle/Getty Images 16/33 President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama greet President-elect Donald Trump at the White House in Washington Evan Vucci/AP 17/33 Former US President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter arrive for the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at the US Capitol in Washington Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images 18/33 Demonstrators march on the street near a security checkpoint inaugural entrance Jose Luis Magana/AP 19/33 Former US Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne arrive at the US Capitol in Washington Saul Loeb/EPA 20/33 Demonstrators chant near a security checkpoint entrance to the inauguration, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 in Washington, ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration Jose Luis Magana/AP 21/33 US Senator Ted Cruz arrives for the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at the US Capitol in Washington Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images 22/33 Former US President George W. Bush and wife Laura Bush arrive John Angelillo/EPA 23/33 The statue of Civil War General and former US President Ulysses S. Grant faces the Washington Monument and the crowd gathering for the inauguration ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington Carlos Barria/Reuters 24/33 A military helicopter lands at the US Capitol Rob Carr/AFP/Getty Images 25/33 Protesters attack a man trying to pass at an entry point prior at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Washington Bryan Woolston/Reuters 26/33 President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania arrives for a church service at St. John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington Alex Brandon/AP 27/33 Protesters chain themselves to an entry point prior at the inauguration of Donald Trump in Washington Bryan Woolston/Reuters 28/33 Vice President-elect Mike Pence and his wife Karen, arrives for a church service at St. John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington Alex Brandon/AP 29/33 The sun begins to rise behind the Capitol dome several hours before Donald J. Trump takes the oath of office as the 45th President of the United States in Washington Andrew GombartAFP/Getty Images 30/33 Protesters move toward an entry point prior at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump Bryan Woolston/Reuters 31/33 The early morning sun lights up the Washington Monument as people gather on the National Mall prior to the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Washington Kevin Lamarque/Reuters 32/33 Protesters chain themselves to an entry point Bryan Woolston/Reuters 33/33 US Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden leave the White House for the final time as the nation prepares for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump in Washington Kevin Dietsch/EPA 1/33 Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States AP 2/33 US President Barack Obama (right) and First Lady Michelle Obama (left) welcome Preisdent-elect Donald Trump (second right) and his wife Melania to the White House in Washington Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images 3/33 President Barack Obama stands at right as first lady Michelle Obama hugs President-elect Donald Trump at the White House in Washington Evan Vucci/AP 4/33 The presidential motorcade drives down Pennsylvania Ave towards the U.S. Capitol in Washington Joe Raedle/Getty Images 5/33 Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton waves as she arrives with her husband former President Bill Clinton Rick Wilking/Reuters 6/33 People gather on the National Mall prior to the inauguration Patrick Smith/Getty Images 7/33 Donald Trump's children Ivanka Trump (L), Tiffany Trump, Donald Trump Jr, and Eric Trump arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington lex Wong/Getty Images 8/33 US President Barack Obama (right) and First Lady Michelle Obama (second left) welcome Preisdent-elect Donald Trump (left) and his wife Melania (second right) to the White House in Washington Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images 9/33 Members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the seats on the West Front of the US Capitol several hours before Donald J. Trump is sworn in as the 45th President of the United States in Washington Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA 10/33 Tiffany Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., Ivanka Trump, Vanessa Trump and Jared Kushner arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Drew Angerer/Getty Images 11/33 Protesters chain themselves to an entry point prior at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump Bryan Woolston/Reuters 12/33 People begin to gfill in the National Mall a short time before Donald J. Trump is sworn in as the 45th President of the United States in Washington Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA 13/33 Supporters and protesters turn out for the Inauguration of President-Elect Donald Trump in Washington Theo Wargo/Getty Images 14/33 A man walks a dog in a Donald Trump costume carrying a doll depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin holding an US flag as they head to join a demonstration at the US embassy in central London Hayoung Jeon/EPA 15/33 President Elect Donald Trump's children Barron Trump (L), Tiffany Trump and Eric Trump arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Joe Raedle/Getty Images 16/33 President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama greet President-elect Donald Trump at the White House in Washington Evan Vucci/AP 17/33 Former US President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter arrive for the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at the US Capitol in Washington Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images 18/33 Demonstrators march on the street near a security checkpoint inaugural entrance Jose Luis Magana/AP 19/33 Former US Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne arrive at the US Capitol in Washington Saul Loeb/EPA 20/33 Demonstrators chant near a security checkpoint entrance to the inauguration, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 in Washington, ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration Jose Luis Magana/AP 21/33 US Senator Ted Cruz arrives for the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at the US Capitol in Washington Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images 22/33 Former US President George W. Bush and wife Laura Bush arrive John Angelillo/EPA 23/33 The statue of Civil War General and former US President Ulysses S. Grant faces the Washington Monument and the crowd gathering for the inauguration ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington Carlos Barria/Reuters 24/33 A military helicopter lands at the US Capitol Rob Carr/AFP/Getty Images 25/33 Protesters attack a man trying to pass at an entry point prior at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Washington Bryan Woolston/Reuters 26/33 President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania arrives for a church service at St. John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington Alex Brandon/AP 27/33 Protesters chain themselves to an entry point prior at the inauguration of Donald Trump in Washington Bryan Woolston/Reuters 28/33 Vice President-elect Mike Pence and his wife Karen, arrives for a church service at St. John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington Alex Brandon/AP 29/33 The sun begins to rise behind the Capitol dome several hours before Donald J. Trump takes the oath of office as the 45th President of the United States in Washington Andrew GombartAFP/Getty Images 30/33 Protesters move toward an entry point prior at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump Bryan Woolston/Reuters 31/33 The early morning sun lights up the Washington Monument as people gather on the National Mall prior to the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Washington Kevin Lamarque/Reuters 32/33 Protesters chain themselves to an entry point Bryan Woolston/Reuters 33/33 US Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden leave the White House for the final time as the nation prepares for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump in Washington Kevin Dietsch/EPA

Flanked by dozens of agents waking alongside the limousine, President Trump was driven to the White House in a motorcade behind a formation of police motorbikes.

From the reviewing stand a short distance from the White House, he watched a parade of marching bands, motorbikes and tractors before taking up residence in the building.

In his inaugural speech, he thanked President and Michelle Obama for their "magnificent" help during the transition - and then went on to rip his predecessor’s eight years in office, descrying the lack of jobs, "shuttered factories" and rampant crime.

"This American carnage stops right here and stops right now," he said.

Warming to his theme, the new president, wearing a dark overcoat and white shirt with red tie, lambasted overseas countries for stealing America’s jobs and wealth.

"For many decades we have enriched foreign industry at the expense of American industry, subsidized the armies of other countries while allowing for the very sad depletion of our military," he said.

"We have defended other nations’ borders while refusing to defend our own. and spent trillions and trillions of dollars overseas while America’s infrastructure has fallen into decay and disrepair."

But that, he said, was now in the past.

"We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries," he insisted.

"Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength.

"We will seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world but we will do so with the understanding that it is the right of all nations to put their own interests first."

He said America would not seek to impose its will open other nations but "let it shine as an example. We will shine for everyone to follow."

Repeating his oft used campaign vow, he said he would "unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism and eradicate it completely for the face of the earth," although he didn’t explain how he planned to do that.

‘The bedrock of politics will be a total allegiance to the United States of America, he continued.

Referencing accusations that his rise had polarized the country, he added: "When you open your hearts to patriotism there is no room for prejudice.

"I will fight for you with every breath in my body and I will never, ever let you down.

"America will start winning again, winning like never before. We will bring back our jobs we will bring back our borders we will bring back our wealth and we will bring back our dreams.

"We the citizens of America are now joined in a great national effort to rebuilt our country and restore its promise for all of our people

"Together we will determine the course of America and the world for many, many years to come."

He said his presidency wasn’t about transferring power from one administration or party to another, but "we are transferring power from Washington DC and giving it back to you, the people."

Slamming the "Washington elite" he said the ‘politicians prospered but the jobs lapsed and the factories closed. The establishment protected themselves but not the people of this country.

There was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land.

"That all changes starting right here and right now because this moment is your moment. It belongs to you," he told the crowds gathered in the National Mall.

"January 20, 2017 will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this country again.

"The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. Everyone is listening to you now.

"You came in your tens of millions to become part of a historic movement the likes of which the world has never seen before.

President Trump Inauguration protesters 23 show all President Trump Inauguration protesters 1/23 Getty Images 2/23 AFP/Getty Images 3/23 AFP/Getty Images 4/23 Protesters in New York hold placards saying 'No' to Trump at a rally hosted by film maker Michael Moore Kathy Willen/AP photo 5/23 Michael Moore addresses thousands of people at an anti-Trump rally in New York Kathy Willens/AP 6/23 An anti-Trump protester holds an 'alt-Reich' banner in New York Photo/Kathy Willen/AP Photo 7/23 People look at an effigy of Trump outside his New York hotel Kathy Willens/AP Photo 8/23 Thousands of people protested in New York and Washington Kathy Willens/AP Photo 9/23 Protesters in Washington ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration Mario Tama/Getty Images 10/23 A protester holds a cartoon of Trump kissing Putin Mario Tama/Getty Images 11/23 Protesters gathered before dawn in Washington DC Spencer Platt/Getty Images 12/23 A protester shouts into a megaphone hours before the inauguration of President-elect Trump Spencer Platt/Getty Images 13/23 A man holds aloft a banner reading No to Racism and Facism Spencer Platt/Getty Images 14/23 Protesters at the US embassy in the Philippines Romeo Ranoco/ Reuters 15/23 A woman holds a Dump Trump banner in Tokyo Toru Hanai /Reuters 16/23 This child was also present at the anti-Trump rally in Tokyo Toru Hanai/Reuters 17/23 Activists set off flares at a demonstration in Washington John Minchillo/AP Photo/ 18/23 Anti Trump activists clash with police in Washington DC Mark Wilson/Getty Images 19/23 A Stand up to Trump protest at the US embassy in London Lucy Young 20/23 Campaign group Stand Up To Racism protested in Grosvenor Square, London Lucy Young 21/23 Protestors from the 'Bridges Not Walls' on a bridge in Bristol Matt Cardy/Getty Images 22/23 Another bridge protest against Trump in York Danny Lawson/PA Wire 23/23 These people held a demonstration in Berlin telling Trump to build bridges Michael Sohn/AP Photo 1/23 Getty Images 2/23 AFP/Getty Images 3/23 AFP/Getty Images 4/23 Protesters in New York hold placards saying 'No' to Trump at a rally hosted by film maker Michael Moore Kathy Willen/AP photo 5/23 Michael Moore addresses thousands of people at an anti-Trump rally in New York Kathy Willens/AP 6/23 An anti-Trump protester holds an 'alt-Reich' banner in New York Photo/Kathy Willen/AP Photo 7/23 People look at an effigy of Trump outside his New York hotel Kathy Willens/AP Photo 8/23 Thousands of people protested in New York and Washington Kathy Willens/AP Photo 9/23 Protesters in Washington ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration Mario Tama/Getty Images 10/23 A protester holds a cartoon of Trump kissing Putin Mario Tama/Getty Images 11/23 Protesters gathered before dawn in Washington DC Spencer Platt/Getty Images 12/23 A protester shouts into a megaphone hours before the inauguration of President-elect Trump Spencer Platt/Getty Images 13/23 A man holds aloft a banner reading No to Racism and Facism Spencer Platt/Getty Images 14/23 Protesters at the US embassy in the Philippines Romeo Ranoco/ Reuters 15/23 A woman holds a Dump Trump banner in Tokyo Toru Hanai /Reuters 16/23 This child was also present at the anti-Trump rally in Tokyo Toru Hanai/Reuters 17/23 Activists set off flares at a demonstration in Washington John Minchillo/AP Photo/ 18/23 Anti Trump activists clash with police in Washington DC Mark Wilson/Getty Images 19/23 A Stand up to Trump protest at the US embassy in London Lucy Young 20/23 Campaign group Stand Up To Racism protested in Grosvenor Square, London Lucy Young 21/23 Protestors from the 'Bridges Not Walls' on a bridge in Bristol Matt Cardy/Getty Images 22/23 Another bridge protest against Trump in York Danny Lawson/PA Wire 23/23 These people held a demonstration in Berlin telling Trump to build bridges Michael Sohn/AP Photo

"At the centre of this movement s a crucial conviction that a nation exists to serve its citizens.

"We are one nation and their pain is our pain, their dreams are our dreams and their success will be our success.’

He finished with his populist refrain that was reflected on the red caps of many supporters in the crowd: "Together, we will make America strong again, we will make America wealthy again, we will make America proud again, we will make America safe again and yes, we will make America great again."

Prime Minister Theresa May insisted President Trump was committed to strengthening the “special relationship” between Britain and the US.

Mr Trump sowed doubt about his willingness to strike a post-Brexit free trade deal with the UK, which the Prime Minister hopes will offset any economic hit caused by leaving the European Union.

In his inaugural address, the president promised that "every decision on trade... will be made to benefit American workers and American families".

But Mrs May said that "from our conversations" she knows Mr Trump wants to advance links between Britain and the US.

Following his speech, she said: "I congratulate President Trump on taking office today.

"From our conversations to date, I know we are both committed to advancing the special relationship between our two countries and working together for the prosperity and security of people on both sides of the Atlantic.

"I look forward to discussing these issues and more when we meet in Washington."

Mrs May is expected to visit Mr Trump in spring.