Washington, DC – United States President Donald Trump has been sworn in for a second term at an indoor ceremony at the Capitol, where he was shielded against the wintry gusts of a polar vortex.
But his inauguration still saw supporters descend on Washington, DC, to celebrate.
On Monday, in his second inaugural address, Trump pledged that his legacy would be that of a “peacemaker and unifier”.
But in the same remarks, the US president outlined some of his most divisive policy proposals, including a harsh crackdown on irregular immigration and “taking back” the Panama Canal.
“Above all, my message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigour and vitality of history’s greatest civilisation,” Trump said. “So as we liberate our nation, we will lead it to new heights of victory and success.”
Trump’s Democratic detractors have long accused him of being a threat to US democracy – if not an outright fascist.
However, there were few protesters in Washington on Monday to reject Trump’s return to the White House, marking a stark contrast with the large demonstrations before, during and after his first inauguration.
Protesters may have been deterred by the indoor inauguration or the freezing cold. Others may have felt apathy or a sense of acceptance towards Trump’s return to the White House.
The weather, however, did not keep away the US president’s supporters, who showed up in their Make America Great Again (MAGA) gear and queued over several city blocks to get inside the Capital One Arena.
Trump’s last-minute decision on Friday to move his inauguration indoors left many unable to watch it in person. But the arena was set up as an alternative, with a live broadcast of the event. Plus, Trump promised to make a personal appearance afterwards.
Still, thousands of his supporters were left angling for a spot in the 20,000-seat arena, which boasted less space than the outdoor National Mall park.
‘Respected again’
Although Trump has filled his cabinet with foreign policy hawks, several of his supporters stressed his pledge to advance global peace.
David Marks, who drove from Orlando, Florida, to attend the inauguration events, praised Trump for using “common sense” instead of relying on bureaucracy in his governing style.
Marks rode a bike featuring a banner with the flags of Israel and Palestine and a peace sign.
“He understands it’s in our interests to have world peace,” he said of Trump.
Marks was not able to make it to the arena, where the inauguration ceremony and the president’s speech were broadcast on jumbo screens.
Thousands of others were left outside in the Arctic cold, even after waiting for hours to enter the building. Many watched the inauguration on their phones instead as they waited in the slow-moving line.
Trump’s inaugural address was marked by jabs at outgoing President Joe Biden and pledges to aggressively enact his hardline campaign promises.
“The golden age of America begins right now,” Trump said, invoking an oft-repeated phrase from his presidential campaign.
“From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer.”
‘World peace’
Those hoping to get a seat in the Capital One Arena began lining up before dawn, despite temperatures that hovered at -6 degrees Celsius (21 degrees Fahrenheit).
Johnny Estrada, a 28-year-old police officer from New Mexico, said he and his friends made a last-minute decision to fly in for the inauguration. He admitted some disappointment about the venue change.
“Unfortunately, it was changed a bit on us, but we’re here,” said Estrada, who wore a red Trump hat with a tuft of fake orange hair poking out.
“The next four years are looking really good. As far as today, I’m just happy to be here.”
He added that he most identified with Trump’s “America First” pledge.
“Personally, I don’t like how we give money to these other countries for their wars. I’m an Army veteran, and the money should be going to our country.”
Chicago resident Shay White also did not make it to the arena, but he played down any dismay in the crowd over the circumstances.
“We’re Americans no matter where we are,” White said. “There’s so much good energy over here.”
His face featured a smear of fake blood, in reference to the blood splatter that stained Trump’s cheek after he survived an assassination attempt in July. White explained that he was confident Trump would help end conflicts globally.
“I think we’re going to have less issues with war. Already, a few days ago what did Gaza announce? Gaza announced a ceasefire,” White told Al Jazeera.
Trump sent his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to the region earlier this month to help finalise the ceasefire deal, alongside Biden’s representatives.
Several Israeli media outlets reported that Trump’s team pressured Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to approve the agreement that was announced last week.
‘Felon coming in with access to nuclear weapons’
While supporters in and around the arena viewed Trump as a strong man who would fight for peace, the president’s critics feared a different outcome for the next four years.
At the Metropolitan AME Church just blocks from the White House, Reverend Al Sharpton’s National Action Network held a rally in honour of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Many attendees found irony in the fact that Trump’s inauguration took place on the national holiday named for the Black civil rights leader.
“We came here to talk about Trump and how to protect people,” said Valerie Adelin of New York City, wearing a fur coat and a face mask advertising Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign as she walked into the church.
“Martin Luther King Jr stood for justice, peace and empowerment,” she added. “We’re celebrating his life, and that’s particularly significant today.”
Inside, 70-year-old Duval Clemmons, who is from New York, condemned Trump’s pledge to pardon his supporters who ransacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in an effort to overturn Biden’s election vic