WASHINGTON, D.C.- Friday morning started off sunny and warm in the Magnolia state as people drove to work, dropped their kids off at school, and drank their morning coffee. But a little ways north of Mississippi in the District of Columbia, one man woke up in preparation to become the next President of the United States of America.
On Friday, January 20, 2017 at approximately 11:00 a.m. CST (12:00 p.m. Eastern) Donald John Trump recited the oath of office before a crowd of over 700,000 and a viewing audience of millions across the country and the world.
Among the crowd were family, friends, officials, skeptics, and supporters. Roy Blunt Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies gave the opening remarks.
“Mr. President, Mr. Vice President, Mr. President Elect, Mr. Vice President Elect, ladies and gentleman welcome to the inauguration of the 45th President of the United States of America,” said Blunt.
He then introduced individuals of faith who began the readings. Cardinal Timothy Dolan started the invocation, Rev. Dr. Samuel Rodriguez followed after him, and Pastor Paula White-Cain wrapped up the final remarks.
Rodriguez quoted Matthew 5 in his reading,
“You are the light of the world, like a city on a hilltop you cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket instead a lamp is placed on a stand where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father.”
The Missouri State University Chorale set the tone for the remainder of the event with an angelic performance just moments before Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Clarence Thomas was introduced to carry out the oath of office for the Vice President.
As the music mellowed, Vice President Mike Pence made his way to the podium where Justice Thomas asked him to place his hand over the bible and recite the oath of office. The crowd cheered as he said those last words…”so help me God.”
The Morman Tabernacle Choir erupted with a rendition of America the Beautiful, as all eyes began to focus on the man of the hour, Donald Trump.
As the music ended he quietly walked to meet Chief Justice John Roberts with his wife, Melania, by his side. He placed his hand on the bible she held and spoke these words,
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God.”
As the roar of the crowd began to die down, now, President Donald Trump shook hands with congressional leadership around him, family that were there supporting him, and waved to the crowd before giving his inauguration speech.
He began by thanking Chief Justice Roberts and all former presidents in attendance; that included Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. As is consistent to his character and campaign over the past two years President Trump celebrated the chance to give the government back to the people, encouraging citizens of America to rebuild the country and move forward together.
“We will face challenges, we will confront hardships, but we will get the job done.”
He again thanked former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama for their kindness and gracious aid throughout the transition of power.
He spoke of a hopeful tomorrow where American’s can justly demand a good education for their children, safe neighborhoods for families, and good jobs for themselves. He told the crowd that when he took the oath of office, just moments before, he was swearing his allegiance to all Americans.
“We’ve made other countries rich while the wealth, strength and confidence of our country has dissipated over the horizon,” said Trump “The wealth of our middle class has been ripped from their homes and redistributed all across the world. But that is the past and we are looking only to the future.”
A new vision is what President Trump preached. A new vision that would guide the American people to the future, one in which America is now first.
“Every decision on trade on taxes on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families,” said Trump.
The lingering undertone of his entire speech was: you. He focused his remarks on the betterment of the American people and the moving forward of a nation, and what he would do in this new position as the leader of the free world to make sure the people of this nation are cared for.
“I will fight for you with every breath in my body and I will never, ever let you down,” said Trump.
President Trump wrapped up his speech with a call to unity. He urged Americans to join together, not for a party or a candidate, but as a nation to move forward in making America great again.
“It’s time to remember the old wisdom our old soldiers never forget. Whether we are black, or brown, or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots,” said President Trump.
As his speech came to a close so did the ceremony. With smiles, waves, and the shaking of hands, President Trump and his family, along with his right hand man Mike Pence, made their way back into the Capitol to sign off on some executive orders. The first of which was the formal nomination of his cabinet members.
While the celebration continued in Washington D.C. with a parade and regal balls to cap off the night, the rest of the nation continues to watch, wait and wonder what will come of these next four years underneath the leadership of what seemed to be the unlikely candidate, the 45th President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump.
To listen to the full inauguration speech see below:
For a play by play account of the days events here’s a link:
/inauguration-day-has-all-eyes-on-the-the-white-house/
