Every new president opens a new chapter in American history. When Donald Trump takes office in frigid Washington, D.C., on Monday, he will hope to usher in a new era for the country.

The ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda was moved indoors for the first time in decades because of freezing temperatures, marking a moment when people began to judge him by his actions rather than his promises.

He promised big changes and action from day one. At a raucous rally in the city on Sunday, Trump said he would sign a series of executive orders immediately after taking office covering issues from immigration and deportations to the environment and transgender rights.

"You will have fun watching TV tomorrow," he told the crowd here.

But even though his presidency started with a bang, questions remain about what Trump's second act will look like.

Will we feel the tectonic plates of power shift beneath our feet when he returns to the White House? Can he deliver on the sweeping reforms he has promised? Will it be the end of the world, as his opponents suggest?

To listen to some of his critics, you might think that once he was sworn in, the skies would darken and the birds would flee Washington.

Many fear he will try to rule as a dictator and undermine American democracy. In his final Oval Office address, his predecessor Joe Biden pointedly warned that a dangerous oligarchy of irresponsible billionaires had formed around Trump that threatened Americans' basic rights. and freedom.

But no one can deny that Trump, 78, has a clear mandate after his decisive election victory in November. He won the popular vote and the Electoral College. He swept swing states. His agenda was approved by voters.

This time, Trump is determined to implement his agenda. He has an experienced and committed team behind him to ensure this happens.

He also planned - presumably in Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Effectiveness” - Rapid dismissal of large numbers of civil servants and officials.

Trump still believes there is a "deep state" within the US government that will try to thwart his agenda. So we can expect the federal employee cleanup to be much larger than what typically happens when there is a change of administration, and the government machine behind him to be more politicized.

Many of his plans, such as deep tax cuts for big corporations and the wealthy, would require legislation from Congress.

But that won't be a problem because he controls the Republican Party and holds majorities in the House and Senate. It is unlikely that large numbers of senators and representatives will defy him. He also asked Musk to use his social media platform and vast wealth to force any rebels back into line.

Is there anything to stop Trump from rounding up and deporting millions of undocumented immigrants or using the justice system to target political opponents he sees as enemies?

There are undoubtedly logistical and financial obstacles, especially when it comes to mass deportations, but Democratic opposition alone may not be enough to prevent that. After all, the party is still reeling from the electoral defeat.

There was internal conflict as members conducted a lengthy postmortem on the outcome. The resistance movement that mobilized before Trump's first term sparked days of nationwide protests after his inauguration that brought more than a million people to the streets, but appears less active this time around.

After losing the 2020 election, Trump was kicked off social media platforms amid the Capitol riots and unfounded claims of voter fraud. These companies have treated him differently this time as he prepares to take office on January 6, 2021, as his supporters stroll through the rotunda.

The world's wealthiest people will be watching from prominent seats in the VIP area. Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg will all be in attendance. So will the CEOs of Google, Apple and TikTok. It’s the living embodiment of the super-rich “tech industrial complex” that Biden warned about in his farewell address.

These are people who have already developed a friendly relationship with Trump. ZuckerbergMeta is ditching fact-checking Bezos blocked The Washington Post (which he owns) from endorsing Kamala Harris on Facebook and Instagram. All of them donated millions of dollars to Trump's inaugural fund.

Whether in Congress or in the corporate world, Trump's taking office has been warmly welcomed by American power brokers.

No doubt the raft of executive orders he issues on day one will include some high-profile actions designed to galvanize his supporters. Just like the president pardoned many, if not all, of those convicted of the Capitol riots. His supporters will be delighted to see a man they regard as a political hostage released from prison.

Trump needs a steady stream of populist moves like this. Because some of his plans run the risk of being inconsistent with the votes of some supporters.

After years of high inflation, many want lower prices. But most economists believe tariffs on imported goods could drive up prices further.

Mass evictions could lead to labor shortages in the construction and agriculture sectors, complicating his pledge to build more homes, which could further raise food prices. It looks like it's billionaires who will benefit from the biggest tax cuts, not the working class.

High-profile proposals, such as a pledge to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, are likely to excite many of his supporters. But it remains to be seen how many Americans will feel the benefits of his overall policies.

Trump, however, is the ultimate political showman. His ability to entertain is part of his power and appeal. But his second-term agenda goes deeper than mere showmanship and would be transformative if implemented.

His return to the White House will be dramatic and eventful, with consequences that will be felt around the world. It could fundamentally and permanently change America.