Beneath a veneer of calm, Trump’s inauguration holds warning signs for American democracy

On January 21, 2025By Littum

All the living former presidents were there, and the outgoing president amiably greeted his successor, who gave a speech about the country’s bright future and left it to the blare of a brass band.

At first glance, Chairman Donald Trump’s second initiation seemed like a continuation of the country’s nearly 250-year tradition of peaceful transfers of power, essential to its democracy. And there was much to celebrate: Trump won a free and fair election last fall, and his supporters hope he will be able to resolve problems at the border, end the war in Ukraine and bring inflation under control.

Still, the warning signs were clear Monday.

From left, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President George W. Bush, former First Lady Laura Bush and former President Barack Obama arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)

Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump holds a Bible during the 60th presidential inauguration in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo /Morry Gash, Pool)

Because of cold temperatures, Trump’s inauguration was held in the Capitol Rotunda, where rioters who tried to keep him in power the last time roamed under January 6, 2021, attack. Trump entered the room from the hall that leads to the building’s west front tunnel, where some of the worst hand-to-hand combat between Trump supporters and the police took place that day.

After giving a speech in which he promised that “never again” would the government “persecut political opponents,” Trump then gave a second, impromptu speech to a crowd of supporters. The president lamented that his inaugural address had been whitewashed, said he would soon pardon the rioters on January 6 and balked at the last minute. preventive pardons issued by outgoing chairman Joe Biden to the members of the congressional committee that investigated the attack.

“I had a few things to say that were extremely controversial,” Trump told the crowd in the Capitol’s Emancipation Hall. It was the same room filled with rows of National Guard troops who slept on the hard floors for weeks in the aftermath of the January 6 attack.

Hours later, Trump followed through on a campaign promise apologize to those involved in the attack — about 1,500 of his followers, including those who had assaulted police officers. It came after an extraordinary pardon issued by Biden – announced by the White House when he greeted Trump at the inauguration ceremony – for several members of Biden’s extended family. The 11th hour Biden pardons were a response to Trump’s constant threats to carry out one retaliatory campaign against his political opponents.

The head-spinning developments on Trump’s first day back in office suggested there will be no shortage of controversy in his second term.

Even after regaining the highest office in the land, Trump continued to do so lie about his Election loss in 2020. He didn’t mention it in his formal speech, but in his impromptu second speech, Trump falsely claimed it was only because of voter fraud and that if votes were counted accurately he would win California, a state he lost by more than 3.2 million votes.

A view of the U.S. Capitol and the National Mall is pictured from atop the Washington Monument on the day of the 60th presidential inauguration in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Brendan McDermid/Pool Photo via AP)

Members of the Mississippi Valley State University marching band perform at an indoor presidential inauguration parade in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

The celebration of the peaceful transfer of power started just before noon on Monday with both Trump and Biden in attendance. It was a marked difference from the last time, when Trump did not attend the event to hand over power to Biden.

Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar started the speeches because she chairs the Joint Congressional Induction Committee. She stated that the theme was “our enduring democracy.” It was a fairly anodyne line and under other circumstances would be a fairly routine speech, but had a strong implication given the setting.

Klobuchar talked about how “in other countries” the celebrations may be in a presidential palace, but the United States holds them in “the people’s house”, the Capitol complex. She concluded by recognizing the firefighters battling flames in Southern California.

“The strength and grit of our democracy must match theirs,” Klobuchar said.

The day began with a reminder of the unprecedented momentum created by Trump’s return. Biden preemptively pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, former General Mark Milley – a vocal Trump critic whom the new president has suggested should be executed – and Congress January 6 committee members, staff and officers who gave them evidence.

Among them was former representative Liz Cheney, one of the few Republicans challenging Trump who had been targeted prosecution by her former Republican colleagues in the US House. During his second speech, Trump again took a dig at Cheney, calling her “a crying lunatic.”

“These are unusual circumstances and I can’t in good conscience do anything,” Biden said of his blanket pardons. “Even when individuals have done nothing wrong – and have in fact done the right thing – and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage reputations and finances.”

Previous Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanonewho lost consciousness and suffered a heart attack after a riot shocked him with a stun gunwas one of the officers who received a last-minute Biden pardon because he testified before the committee on January 6.

Fanone said he learned of the pardon from a Washington Post reporter who called him Monday morning.

“I haven’t digested it,” he later told The Associated Press. “I just can’t believe this is my country.”

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Riccardi reported from Denver. Associated Press writers Michael Kunzelman and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.