Could he be a new Hitler? Today Donald Trump becomes the President of the United States. Some worry that this could mark the beginning of the end for US democracy.
World on edge as Trump takes power
Revenge: An exultant Donald Trump (official portrait above) promised last night to act with “historic speed and strength” when he returns to the White House today, using a barrage of executive orders to target illegal immigration, transgender rights and other rightwing priorities. Glossary
Inauguration - The introduction of a new system, or the formal ceremony introducing someone to office (most noticeably the US president).
Constitution - A document that sets out the fundamental rules according to which a country is governed, which are usually difficult to change.
MAGA - Make America Great Again. The slogan was a key part of Trump’s election campaign in 2016.
Liberal - Liberalism is a school of political thought that stresses individual liberty. Liberals believe that society should not try to impose values or behaviours on individuals but should be tolerant of different lifestyles. A leading exponent of liberal thought was the 19th-century English philosopher John Stuart Mill, the author of the classic work On Liberty.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Fascist - Following fascism, a set of ideologies that advocates dictatorial power, political violence, suppression of opposition, traditional gender roles, and official racism.
Genocide - The annihilation of a people, either through killing of its members, or through the suppression of its culture.
Dictator - A ruler who has total power, and has often taken power by force.
Republican Party - Also known as the Grand Old Party or GOP, it is one of the USA's two major political parties. Its first president was Abraham Lincoln. It sits on the right of the political spectrum.
Oval Office - The president's main office in the White House.
Authoritarian - Enforcing strict obedience to authority.
Democrats - Members of the Democratic party, the left-leaning US political party. Joe Biden and Barack Obama are both Democrats.
Supreme Court - The highest court within the hierarchy of courts in most legal jurisdictions.
Congress - The legislative branch of the American government, where elected representatives vote on which laws should be passed. Congress is made up of two chambers: the Senate, which contains two members from each of the 50 states, and the House of Representatives, which has representatives from 435 smaller districts.
Lame duck - Somebody who is ineffectual or does not have any real power, especially a politician after their successor has already been elected.