United States | From the gilded age to the golden age

The new American imperialism

Donald Trump is the first president in more than 100 years to call for new American territory—including Mars

US President Donald Trump throws pens to the crowd after signing executive orders during the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena, in Washington
Photograph: Getty Images

THE TRADITIONAL point of an inaugural address is to transcend the politics of the campaign and draw the country together. Donald Trump’s second inaugural was not that. But it stuck with tradition in other ways—it’s just that the traditions in question were much older.

Explore more

More from United States

Pro-Trump protesters gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Following Trump’s pardons, the Proud Boys are back in the game

Enrique Tarrio tells The Economist he is still figuring out what is next for the group

US President Donald Trump

America really could enter a golden age

Donald Trump would need to build on its strengths, and subdue his own weaknesses


A 4-year-old girl carries a doll while walking with her immigrant mother.

To end birthright citizenship, Trump misreads the constitution

It would also create huge practical problems


Donald Trump cries “invasion” to justify an immigration crackdown

His first immigration executive orders range from benign to belligerent

The beginning of the end of the Trump era

The new president is more confident, and radical, than ever—and also more accepted

Pam Bondi seems like a relatively safe pair of hands

But is America’s next attorney-general an independent operator?