It’s Inauguration Day. On Friday, Donald J Trump will become the US president. He arrived in Washington with flair on Thursday, speaking to tens of thousands of people at a concert at the Lincoln Memorial and praising his incoming Cabinet during a stop at his downtown hotel. – See more at: http://www.sigmalive.com/en/news/international/151901/inauguration-day-trump-to-become-45th-us-president#sthash.VCtvRhgI.dpuf
Through it all, Trump remained Trump, abandoning none of his old habits, with less than 24 hours before the inauguration. The president-elect live-tweeted his arrival. He criticised people who underestimated him during the election. And, with characteristic grandiosity, he set the stage for his incoming administration.
“We have by the far the highest IQ of any Cabinet ever assembled,” he said in remarks at the Trump International Hotel.
Speaking at a pre-inauguration concert Thursday night at the Lincoln Memorial, which featured performances by Lee Greenwood, Toby Keith and 3 Doors Down, Trump told the crowd he vowed to be a president “for all our people.”
“It’s a movement like we’ve never seen anywhere in the world, they say. There’s never been a movement like this. And it’s something very, very special,” Trump said.
“And we’re going to unify our country. And our phrase, you all know it — half of you are wearing the hat, ‘Make America great again.’ But we’re going to make America great for all our people, everybody. Everybody throughout our country. That includes the inner cities. That includes everybody.”
Later, speaking at a dinner held at Washington’s Union Station, Trump thanked Pence, his top advisers and his family as he reflected on his election victory.
“That was some big victory. That was some victory,” said Trump, who also mused that “next time, we’re going to win the old fashioned way,” an apparent reference to victory in the popular vote as well as the Electoral College.
THE DAY
Trump, who took 304 electoral votes in elections held in November 2016, will give an address at approximately noon (19:00 Cyprus time) at the west side of the US Capitol building, followed by a parade to the White House.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas will swear in Mike Pence as vice president. Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath of office to Trump.
The inauguration is set to start with opening remarks at 11:30 am local time, (6:30 pm Cyprus time). Nearly 70 Democratic lawmakers have said they won’t attend. After Trump is sworn in and has lunch at the Capitol, the inaugural parade will be held along Pennsylvania Avenue NW. There are three official inaugural balls Friday night.
It’s unclear whether the real work of governing will begin Friday or Monday, Trump’s first full workday in the White House. He’s made a lot of promises about what he’ll do on Day One as president: Begin building a wall on the Mexican border, end the “war on coal,” label China a currency manipulator. Sean Spicer, his incoming press secretary, said to expect a few logistical executive actions Friday and more Monday.
The inauguration speech Trump will give is expected to last 20 minutes, while Spicer said Trump’s speech will be “a very forward-thinking, very inspiring, together-oriented speech.”
Two or three of Trump’s nominees may be confirmed by the Senate on Friday: Democrats say they’ll vote on defence secretary pick Gen. James Mattis and homeland security secretary nominee Gen. John F. Kelly. They may also vote on Rep. Mike Pompeo’s nomination for CIA director.
PREPARING FOR PROTESTS
Trump supporters aren’t the only people coming to Washington this weekend: Tens of thousands of people are expected to stage protests in the city to voice opposition to Trump and his agenda. Law enforcement officials anticipate that more than 60 groups will demonstrate for or against Trump, including the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) Coalition, DisruptJ20, Bikers for Trump, and women, who registered at womensmarch.com.
According to the website women and all others interest will be marching on Washington on Saturday. The march is scheduled to begin at 10am (17:00 Cyprus time).
“The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonized, and threatened many of us – immigrants of all statuses, Muslims and those of diverse religious faiths, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Native people, Black and Brown people, people with disabilities, survivors of sexual assault – and our communities are hurting and scared. We are confronted with the question of how to move forward in the face of national and international concern and fear,” the website said.
DisruptJ20 is planning “a series of massive direct actions that will shut down the Inauguration ceremonies and any related celebrations — the Inaugural parade, the Inaugural balls, you name it,” according to its website. Another group, DCMJ, which supports marijuana legalisation in the District, plans to hand out 4,200 joints before marching to the Mall.
Sources: Washington Post, CNN
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