It was either a homecoming or a heresy, depending on your point of view.
President Trump's inauguration on Monday was an unlikely victory for a man who stunned the nation with a White House victory in 2016, was ousted four years later over the noise of violence, and returned with an explosive victory last year. It ended with a return to power. It is perhaps the greatest political comeback in the history of this country.
For Republicans and other Trump supporters, the occasion was one of pure joy. Their attacks on former President Biden proved well-placed, and their efforts to keep President Trump in power four years ago were nothing more than a reflection of national sentiment. It was done. They were hiding dizziness.
“Daddy is back,” said Rep. Byron Donald (R-Fla.).
For Democrats and other Trump critics, it was something entirely different. It was a time to mourn the failure of President Trump's efforts to keep him in office for a second term and reflect not only on the causes of his defeat but also on how to work with the commander-in-chief. Most of them do not consider themselves fit to serve there. Many people are still thinking about the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.
“He's the one who got his supporters to come here and beat up Capitol Police officers and smear them with blood and feces,” said Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pennsylvania). “I think that's why I wanted to come here today and say we're more resilient. The fabric of America and our democracy is resilient. It's better than that.
The split-screen display of partisan tension was most evident during President Trump's speech at the Capitol. The newly inaugurated president painted a bleak portrait of a country in decline, but vowed to make a series of policy changes that he said would usher in a “golden age.” American. '' The tone was more muted than his 2017 “American Carnage'' speech, but it included several attacks on Mr. Biden, who sat an arm's distance away with a grim expression on his face. Ta.
“Right now, our government is unable to manage even a simple crisis at home,” Trump said, adding, “At the same time, we are experiencing a series of catastrophic events abroad.”
From the audience below the Rotunda, Republicans shouted in approval and Democrats shouted in opposition. The play was a miniature representation of the broad partisan divisions and cultural differences that essentially define modern American politics.
“Americans are celebrating a government that is accountable to its people – a government that protects freedom, promotes opportunity, and inspires the world,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana). Because it was finally born.”
“He had an opportunity to unite us on costs, crime and the border, and he just delivered another speech of complaining and whining,” said Trump, who helped lead Trump's first impeachment. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) countered. semester. “If he wants to find friends and partners in the Democratic Party on these issues, he has a chance, but I don't think he'll ever get out of his own way.”
If Trump's return reflects the story of two Washingtons, Monday's ceremony left no doubt about who was in charge.
Mr. Trump, who is attracting attention for his political resurgence, was personally involved in planning the event. He took the unusual step of moving the ceremony inside the Capitol as frigid weather gripped Washington. The change avoided the embarrassing spectacle of being sworn in in the same west-facing portico that Trump's supporters stormed four years ago. Law enforcement officials tried unsuccessfully to maintain his power.
Below the rotunda were mostly friendly faces. Members of Trump's family, who have fought tirelessly for re-election, were also there. His Republican allies in Congress are capitalizing on his popularity to seize all the power in Washington. And a small group of billionaire tech executives have been drawn to Trump, both before and after his Nov. 5 victory.
This group was the last to garner the most attention, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Tim Cook. That's not just because the wealth of people like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Tim Cook have made them famous, but also because the companies they control are in conflict with the federal government. This is because they stand to gain a large amount of profit from the contract. Trump, who is known for his love of dealmaking, may have the final say.
The prominence of tech moguls who took a backseat to President Trump's family and became the center of attention angered some Republicans, after an election cycle in which the party made gains with working-class voters. , expressed concern about putting the spotlight on billionaires. The Democratic Party did not overlook this power relationship. Democrats said the dignitaries who took to the stage at the inauguration appeared to be forming an oligarchy.
“Today's weak and divisive inaugural address, delivered in a room with special privileges reserved for the wealthiest people on earth, does nothing to help working families suffering from rising prices,” said Congressman Pete. This is a repeat of empty campaign promises that will never be fulfilled.” Aguilar (Calif.), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.
In many ways, the ceremony retained the contours of a traditional inauguration. All living former presidents, including Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, were in attendance, as were nine current U.S. Supreme Court justices. Former Justice Stephen Breyer, who retired from the high court in 2022, also joined.
Also in the audience were a handful of former House speakers, including Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), John Boehner (R-Ohio), and Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who joined them in the Rotunda. I entered.
However, there were some notable absences that drew a lot of attention. Some, such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), are the first convicted felons to enter the White House. He avoided the ceremony to protest Trump.
Some other absences were more opaque. Former first lady Michelle Obama and Karen Pence, wife of Trump's first vice president, Mike Pence, did not attend the event. However, neither of them revealed the reason.
Contributed by Michael Schnell.
