President Barack Obama stands with President-elect Donald Trump, first lady Michelle Obama and Melania Trump at the White House in Washington on Friday prior to the inauguration ceremony. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) By Julie Pace AP White House Correspondent WASHINGTON – Pledging to empower America’s “forgotten men and women,” Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on Friday, taking command of a deeply divided nation and ushering in an unpredictable era in Washington.