Washington (AP)Encircled by a considerably different Washington than he was eight years ago, Donald Trump took the oath of office Monday within a crowded Capitol Rotunda.
Many congressional Republicans were privately ready to push back against the more radical aspects of Trump’s plan and look into his past when he spoke of American carnage on the inaugural stage in the rain.
They are nearly all supporting the president today. Before the activities were relocated inside, world leaders and corporate CEOs who had previously objected to Trump showed up for the ceremony, ready to endure the harsh weather and openly express their support.
It’s also a very different Washington than it was four years ago, when a revolt by Trump’s supporters two weeks prior required the stage for Democrat Joe Biden’s inauguration to be quickly restored. Police attempted to stop the rioters from breaking into the Capitol and stopping the certification of Biden’s victory, but the rioters ripped portions of the scaffolding off to use as weapons.
When rioters broke through the main doors and stormed in aggressively, the Rotundawas were also packed. They resisted police attempts to eject them from the building, hanged from statuary, and yelled for lawmakers. They attempted to smash down the doors of the House chamber while lawmakers were still inside after passing through Statuary Hall, the site of Monday’s post-ceremony luncheon where Trump was honored.
When Trump declined to attend Biden’s inauguration in 2021, many Republicans believed his political career was done. But he returned with Washington in tow, stronger than before.
The emergence of a new populist Republican Party is a party victory, according to Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. Without a certain, there is a lot more enthusiasm now than there was eight years ago.
Even some Democrats seemed willing to cooperate with Trump amid the good sentiment surrounding him.
In addition to Supreme Court justices and the leaders of big internet companies, several Democrats attended the luncheon, which is customarily a bipartisan event where lawmakers from both parties sat side by side to salute the new president.
He spoke with Democratic Senators Chris Coons of Delaware and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, and Coons shook his hand. During the luncheon, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., who oversaw the inauguration as the head of the Senate Rules Committee in the previous Congress, engaged Trump and Vice President JD Vance in conversation and laughter.
The fact that Trump’s second inauguration was moved indoors at the last minute due to bad weather made it unique as well. As the swearing-in took place inside, the Capitol’s West Front platform, which had been constructed over several months, was deserted and draped in cables and tarps.
Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, Biden’s inauguration in 2020 was also unusual because it was held without the customary throngs. Instead of being packed in, the platform’s patrons were dispersed.
According to Cramer, it seemed strange but also more intimate with fewer people, even if many other lawmakers did not attend. “I remember how few people were out there listening to the big teleprompter and the giant screen TV that Joe Biden was reading off of,” he remarked.
Has he ever imagined that Trump, who was mostly avoided by official Washington following the attack on January 6, would be returning to the Capitol to take the oath of office?
According to Cramer, it was a potential that was obviously always present.
While Trump was unknown in 2017, Washington Republicans now know how he works, according to Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D.
According to Rounds, they are aware that he will test the waters and make pronouncements. However, they are also aware that he will seek advice before proceeding with his decision.
A narrow majority in the House and divergent opinions within the party as he and Republican leaders consider massive bills to lower taxes, secure the border, deport immigrants, and increase energy production are some of the challenges facing Trump’s second presidency despite the broad support and unified power in Washington.
After Congress rejected Trump’s attempt to include an increase in the debt limit in year-end spending legislation, an early test in December revealed his limitations.
Biden issued several preemptive pardons in his last hours as president. These included pardons for the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the House committee regarding that day, as well as for the lawmakers and staff of the Jan. 6 committee that looked into the incident.
It’s a delicate moment for Democrats.
This time around, I believe it’s even more evident that the difficulties we confront and the division in our country are deeply ingrained. stated New Jersey Democrat and first-term Senator Andy Kim. There is more than one individual in the Oval Office at issue here. Trump is hardly the only issue here. Biden isn’t the only issue.
As the nation gets ready to commemorate its 250th anniversary, Kim said he has been considering legislation that would get bipartisan support and foster unity, such as funding for civics education or a national service program.
Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine, stated that he thinks Trump’s Cabinet choices differ from one another, with many of them being chosen he believes to be loyal to him. There were more qualified and well-respected individuals in his Cabinet eight years ago.
King claimed that hearing Trump say “American carnage” was his most memorable moment from his first inauguration.
Trump stated in his speech that the American tragedy must end immediately. Over the past eight years, he has brought up those topics often.
King described the moment as really startling.
Trump made similar remarks about the nation’s situation on Monday.
Trump claimed that the extreme and dishonest establishment has been stealing money and power from our people for a long time. While our society’s foundations were shattered and appeared to be in total ruin.
Trump declared, “America’s decline is over from now on.”
By Jalonick, Mary Clare
