By Amber Phillips

President Trump's first speech to America was short (less than 18 minutes), gloomy (among the words he used to describe America: ("carnage" "tombstones" "trapped" "rusted out") and directed almost exclusively at the white, working-class community that voted for him. As much as we can read into an 18-minute speech, here are five key lines from Trump's address that illuminate how he might run the country: 1) "For too long, a small group in our nation’s capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost." — Seconds earlier, Trump had thanked the Obamas, sitting directly behind him, "for their gracious aid" during the transition. Then, he proceeded to tear into them and pretty much every member of Congress (also sitting directly behind him). "The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country," Trump continued. The moment underscored just how much Trump despises Washington — and how he has built a brand on that distaste. President Trump shakes hands with former president Barack Obama. (Jonathan Newton /The Washington Post) 2) "What truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether government is controlled by the people." — Trump's address was zero percent ideological. He mentioned very few, if any, policies he wants to pursue. That resonates with our understanding of Trump: He is not an ideologue nor particularly driven by policy. It also raises the possibility he'll leave the legislating to others — like, say, the GOP Congress. It's a possibility that would make House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) very happy, given that the two appear to fundamentally disagree on important issues like trade, Medicare reform and Russia. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) and President-elect Donald Trump shortly after the election. (Morry Gash/AP) 3) "The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. Everyone is listening to you now." — This was vintage Trump. Trump's supporters say the strength of his candidacy lay in connecting directly with working-class voters who are sick of Washington rancor, sick of economic uncertainty and feel like their country has left them behind. Trump's campaign and his inaugural address was directed squarely at these folks, suggesting that he will make easing the middle class's economic anxiety a major focus of his presidency. The Post's Marc Fisher, who co-wrote a book about Trump, elaborates: "[H]is speech made clear that he intends to govern as he campaigned, in direct communion with his followers, bypassing the usual niceties and channels of power." Trump waves to the crowd as he is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post) 4): "Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities; rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation; an education system, flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of knowledge; and the crime and gangs and drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential. This American carnage stops right here and stops right now." — This was an remarkably dark moment in a remarkably dark speech, which is consistent with Trump's campaign rhetoric that helped propel him to this moment. 5) "We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies, and destroying our jobs." — Trump's address was just as protectionist as it was populist. He mentioned "borders" three times (as many times as he said "great"); all in the context of defending, protecting and strengthening. This, too, is part of Trump's brand: America is struggling because the world is taking advantage of its weakness. Talk of borders received some of the loudest applause from the hardcore supporters who gathered in the rain to cheer him on.