Change of Guard: Donald Trump’s first action in office was to sign a broad order directing federal agencies to scale back the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, the signature accomplishment of President Obama. The order gives federal agencies wide latitude to cut back wherever they think Obamacare is needlessly costing money.

After signing, Trump went to the inaugural balls.

It was a day of elegant and traditional ceremony in Washington contrasted with violence in the streets as anti-Trump protesters confronted the DC police.

After taking the oath of office, Trump was presidential in a Trumpian way. He was impolitic while talking politics. In his inaugural address, he described a dark vision of America riddled with crime and joblessness that only he can fix.

Trump promised trade protection, the return of jobs, a rebuilding of infrastructure and, “America First.” A blunt President Trump managed to insult just about everyone in Washington, including former President Obama sitting only feet away from where he spoke.

The 45^th President said, “For too long, a small group in our nation’s capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered but the jobs left and the factories closed.” He went on, “The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories. Their triumphs have not been your triumphs.” He said,  “That all changes starting right here and right now, because this moment is your moment.”

CBS News veteran Bob Schieffer said, “he basically took the hide off everybody sitting on that platform.”

Declaring in his 16-minute speech that “America will start winning again, winning like never before,” he promised new roads, bridges, rail lines, and tunnels. “We will follow two simple rules. Buy American and hire American.”

He promised to “eradicate Islamic terrorism from the face of the earth.” He decried drugs and gangs and flatly said, “This American carnage stops right here and stops right now.”

Trump said, “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 must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our product, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs.”

He finished, “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, together we will make America great again.”

Notable: Even in warm weather, Trump’s inauguration managed to draw a crowd that filled only about half the National Mall. When Barack Obama was first inaugurated, it was filled with a sea of people. Trump’s crowd was a lake of white faces. — Violent anti-Trump demonstrations broke out on some Washington streets, with DC police using tear gas, pepper spray, and stun grenades to break them up. The demonstrators included masked anarchists who broke storefront windows, and set a limousine on fire. About two hundred people were arrested and several police officers injured — Part of the parade route was lined with peaceful protesters holding signs, “Not My President” and “Democracy, Not Plutocracy.” — During the parade the Trumps got out of the limousine for a brief walk in front of, coincidentally, the Trump hotel. They ducked back into the limo when they reached the sign-holding demonstrators.

Last Minute: In the final hours of the Obama presidency a US airstrike killed more than 100 fighters at an al Qaeda training camp in Syria.

The Women’s March: As many as a quarter million people are expected to take part in The Women’s March on Washington today, which spawned from the election of Donald Trump. The march’s mission statement says it “will send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world that women’s rights are human rights. We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.”

For those who couldn’t make it to Washington, there are nearly 600 “Sister Marches” around the world, including one in Antarctica.

World: Islamic State fighters who recently re-took the ancient city of Palmyra have destroyed part of the Roman Theater. They blew up the restored tetrapylon, a group of four pillared structures behind the stage area of the theater. — Nine people have been found alive after two days inside an Italian mountain hotel that was buried in an avalanche.

Best Outfit by Far: Melania Trump at the inauguration in pale blue Ralph Lauren a cowl-necked outfit. It helps to have looks and money.

What Was She Thinking?: Trump aide Kellyanne Conway in a red white and blue Gucci coat that made her look like a drum majorette, which, when you think of it, is kind of her job.

-30-