In perhaps a fitting climax to a presidential race marked by acrimony and rancour of historic proportions, about a million enthusiastic supporters and angry protesters are slated to converge on Washington for the inauguration of maverick billionaire businessman Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States on Friday.
Regardless of the protests planned by groups such as the “Disrupt J20” formation and the boycott threatened by over 60 Democratic lawmakers, Trump himself thinks it is going to be a “beautiful” day. “We’re going to have a very, very elegant day. The 20th is going to be something that will be very, very special, very beautiful,” he said of the inauguration ceremony.
Tapping his social media accounts, Trump exhorted his supporters to set an all-time record. “People are pouring into Washington in record numbers. Bikers for Trump are on their way. It will be a great Thursday, Friday and Saturday!” Trump exulted on Twitter.
But city planners do not expect the crowd to exceed 800,000 to 900,000 — roughly half of the record 1.8 million people who flocked to Washington eight years ago for the historic inauguration of Barack Obama as America’s first black president. Appearing to gloss over the bitter divisions in the run-up to the inaugural, Trump’s incoming White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told USA Today: “He (Trump) wants to continue to talk about issues and areas where he can unite the country - bring it together.”
As it braces for the transfer of power, the Obama administration has made elaborate security arrangements, turning into a veritable fortress the perimeter around the US Capitol building on the steps of which Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath before Trump proceeds to deliver his inaugural address that is expected to be woven around his “Make America Great Again” campaign theme.
As many as 99 groups of both pro- and anti-Trump persuasions have secured permit applications for holding demonstrations on Friday and Saturday. By far the biggest anti-Trump protest will be on Saturday, when women’s groups have issued a call for March on Washington. It is expected to draw more than 2,00,000 people.
Trump may have been the celebrity candidate who walked away with the White House prize against all odds, but his inauguration may be anything but a glitzy affair. With a host of Hollywood icons staying away, it will be a down-to-earth celebration. Broadway star Jennifer Holliday pulled out after consenting to perform at the inaugural because of a backlash from fans.
As Boris Epshteyn, Communications Director for Trump’s Inaugural Committee, put it: “This is a workman-like inaugural. This is not a coronation….It’s every president’s choice. This president wants to get to work.” Unlike his predecessors who used to hop across to close a dozen celebratory balls on the inaugural evening, Trump will make do with just three.
Although an exceptionally large number of Democratic lawmakers have threatened to skip the inaugural, Trump’s rival Hillary Clinton will attend the ceremony along with her husband, former President Bill Clinton. Two other former Presidents, Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush, will also be there. Bush’s father, George HW Bush, however, won’t be there on medical grounds.
Inauguration events kick off on Thursday with Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence laying wreaths at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. later in the day, there will be a concert – dubbed the Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration – at the lincoln Memorial.
Indian-American Pai may head US communication panel
Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump has met Indian-American Ajit Pai, commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, fuelling speculation that he could head the communications regulatory agency. Incoming White House Press Secretary Sean Spears said Trump met Pai on January 16. No other details were immediately available about the content of the meeting that Trump had with Pai.
Pai is the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Pai is widely expected to be tapped as interim FCC chair when President-elect Trump becomes President on January 20 and could be named permanent chair as well, though his fellow Republican Commissioner Michael O’Rielly is also in the conversation.