abdegenius
Just In : Donald J . Trump Swear In & Become 45 President Of United States
Jan 20 2017 at 05:36pm
Washington (CNN) — Donald
Trump became the 45th
President of the United States
Friday during a time-honored
inauguration ceremony that
encapsulated the peaceful
transfer of power that is a
hallmark of American
democracy.
On a raised platform on the
flag-draped West Front of the
Capitol, Trump placed his left
hand on one Bible that dates
from his childhood and
another that belonged to
Abraham Lincoln and raised
his right hand in the air as he
promised to preserve, protect
and defend the Constitution.
Under gray skies and in front
of a crowd stretching most of
the way from the Capitol
toward the Washington
Monument, Trump took the
oath from Chief Justice John
Roberts with the new first lady
Melania Trump by his side.
Trump revived some of the
hardline rhetoric from the
campaign during his inaugural
address.
“This American carnage stops
right here and stops right
now,” Trump said with Obama
looking on.
Former Presidents George W.
Bush and Bill Clinton also
attended the ceremony. Hillary
Clinton, who Trump defeated
in the November election, was
also in the audience in a show
of support for national unity
and the peaceful transfer of
presidential authority.
The swearing-in was one of
many traditions that began
unfolding early Friday
morning. Trump and his
family attended a private
worship service at St. John’s
Church, known as the church
of presidents. The Obamas
greeted Trump and the new
first lady, Melania Trump, at
the North Portico of the White
House before hosting them for
tea.
Earlier in the morning, Barack
Obama wrote a letter to
Trump and left it on the
Resolute Desk in the Oval
Office, as outgoing presidents
typically do for their
successors. As Obama left the
Oval Office for the final time,
he was asked if he had any
words for the American
people. “Thank you,” Obama
said.
The customs and symbolism
that are playing out — from
Trump’s ride to the Capitol
with Obama to the First
Couple’s dance at an inaugural
ball — are familiar. But the
circumstances of this
inauguration — the 58th in the
nation’s history — could
hardly be more
unconventional.
When the presidential primary
season began nearly a year
ago, few thought Trump could
survive the battle for the
Republican nomination —
much less beat Clinton to win
the presidency. He will be the
oldest president sworn in for a
first term and the first
president with no previous
diplomatic, political or military
executive experience.
But his populist campaign
deeply resonated with
Americans who were fed up
with Washington’s political
class and felt left behind in the
globalizing economy.
Day of ceremony
Trump began a day of
ceremony Friday morning by
attending the traditional
inauguration day worship
service. When they arrived at
the White House, Melania
Trump brought a gift for the
Obamas in a blue box
wrapped in a bow, which the
President handed into an aide
before returning for a photo.
Trump took the oath of office,
led by Chief Justice John
Roberts, on two Bibles, one
that he used as a child and the
other used by Abraham
Lincoln at his first
inauguration.
In what is always a poignant
moment, the former president
and his family will soon head
to Andrews Air Force base for
a farewell ceremony before
taking one last flight on the
presidential jet. The Obamas
are heading to Palm Springs,
California, for a vacation.
Trump will attend a joint
congressional inaugural
luncheon in the Capitol before
heading back to the White
House for the inaugural
parade. In the evening, Trump
and the new first lady will
attend two inaugural balls,
part of the stripped down
inaugural festivities that aides
say are meant to stress that
the new president is eager to
get to work.
Ripping up political norms
Trump’s supporters, who sent
him to Washington to rip up
political norms and thwart the
establishment, are thrilled as
he assumes power. The crowds
started streaming towards the
National Mall as dawn broke,
with many people wearing
Trump’s distinctive red “Make
America Great Again” baseball
caps.
