(The Center Square) − As President Donald Trump took the oath of office for his second term, Louisiana’s Republican leaders celebrated what they view as the dawn of a “new Golden Age” for America.
From statements applauding the administration’s day one actions to symbolic gestures of support, GOP officials emphasized their commitment to the “America First” agenda.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., enthusiastically endorsed the new administration’s swift action, claiming Trump’s early efforts far surpass those of his predecessor.
“President Trump has only held office for 24 hours, but he has already done more to improve the everyday lives of Americans than Joe Biden did in four years,” Johnson said in a statement. “We are witnessing the beginning hours of America’s Golden Age.”
Johnson praised Trump’s executive actions to secure borders, restore energy dominance and cut government bureaucracy, pledging that House Republicans would work hand-in-hand with the administration to deliver for the American people.
Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., echoed these sentiments, heralding the torrent of executive orders Trump signed on day one.
“On Day 1, President Trump took the common sense action needed to secure the border that Biden willfully refused to take for 4 years,” Scalise said. “This is the strong leadership America voted for!”
Trump, during his inaugural address in Emancipation Hall, called Scalise a “picture of strength,” highlighting his resilience in the face of challenges and his unwavering support for the “America First” platform.
U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., expressed optimism in an interview with New Orleans TV station WDSU.
“When I talk to people in Louisiana, my district especially, all they want is the government to get out of the way,” Letlow said. “I’m hopeful that this administration is the one to do it.”
Gov. Jeff Landry celebrated the occasion by flying a Make America Great Again flag at the governor’s mansion, sparking controversy over potential violations of his own executive order, which limits the types of flags that can be displayed on state property.
The MAGA flag, notably, is not included on the approved list.
Unsurprisingly, Louisiana’s Democratic leaders remained largely silent on inauguration day, offering minimal public statements.
However, the Louisiana Democratic Party posted a sharp critique on X, formerly known as Twitter:
“Today, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the US. As Trump prepares to enact his extreme and unpopular Day One agenda, LA Dems will stand up to Trump and his cohorts whenever they put their personal agendas above the interests of the great people of our state.”
Johnson, in an opinion article published by Fox News, argued that Trump’s leadership offers a chance to unite the nation, citing parallels to the economic revival of the Reagan era.
“Polling from this fall shows that 80% of Americans think we are sharply divided on key issues. But in this moment of President Trump’s second inauguration, our country has a bright, new opportunity to come together and come roaring back once again,” Johnson wrote.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., heralded the administration’s agenda as the start of a transformative period.
“America, today we enter a new dawn for our Republic. We the People have overcome every obstacle,” Higgins said in a news release, adding, “President Trump is moving quickly to secure our border, unleash domestic energy production, and cut government waste. America is back.”
Trump has made energy policy a cornerstone of his administration’s agenda, with a focus on bolstering domestic production and dismantling environmental initiatives he views as harmful to the U.S. economy.
On his first day in office, Trump declared his intention to proclaim a national energy emergency, vowing to reinvigorate the oil and gas industries while reducing energy costs and reasserting the United States as a global energy leader.
Louisiana’s leadership and Trump share a similar energy vision rooted in prioritizing domestic production and reducing regulatory barriers.
Landry’s “all of the above” energy approach, which emphasizes leveraging every available resource, aligns closely with Trump’s “drill baby drill” ethos, particularly given Louisiana’s status as a hub for oil and natural gas.
Both leaders argue that boosting natural gas production and exports is key to achieving American energy independence.
Landry has been a vocal critic of Biden administration policies that limit natural gas production and exports, asserting they harm American consumers and increase reliance on foreign energy.
He has called on federal leaders to recognize natural gas as clean and lift restrictions on energy projects like LNG terminals.
Similarly, Trump has emphasized deregulation and expanded drilling, including withdrawing from international climate agreements, as critical steps to restoring U.S. energy dominance.