Trump Promises to Put American People First in Inaugural Address

Trump Promises to Put American People First in Inaugural Address
President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address after being sworn in as the 45th president of the United States during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Stephen Gregory
1/20/2017
Updated:
1/22/2018

WASHINGTON—After traveling an unlikely path to the presidency, during which the nation’s political class seemed to unanimously conclude on numerous occasions that he had no chance of winning the Republican nomination or the presidency, Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. His supporters celebrated in a sometimes raucous inaugural ceremony.

In his inaugural address, Trump took aim at the political class saying it had failed to understand the bond he was forging with large sectors of the American people.

“A small group in our nation’s capital has reaped the rewards of government,” Trump said, “while the people have borne the cost.”

The overarching theme of Trump’s short, 17-minute address: “We are transferring power from Washington, D.C., and giving it back to you the American people.”

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence, wave after being sworn in during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 20, 2017. (Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence, wave after being sworn in during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 20, 2017. (Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)

The political class in Trump’s telling has denied the American people their due respect and failed them by not taking care of U.S. interests.

Trump said his inauguration reverses these trends. This was the American people’s day: “This is your celebration,” and “The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer,” he said.

And the new president proclaimed a “new vision” for the country. “From this moment on, it’s going to be America first.”

Trump found in his concentration on the American people a source of unity: “We share one heart, one home, and one glorious destiny.” And in putting America first, he found its source of success—the ability “to make America great again,” the trademark formula he uttered near the very end of his address.

High Spirits

Spectators fill the National Mall in front of the U.S. Capitol during the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President in Washington, on Jan. 20, 2017.(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Spectators fill the National Mall in front of the U.S. Capitol during the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President in Washington, on Jan. 20, 2017.(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)

Spirits were high among the Trump supporters who came out for the inaugural.

On a Metro train platform early in the morning, a young man wearing American flag blue jeans, a T-shirt, and draped with an American flag led a group of perhaps 15 millennials in cheers for Trump, as he jumped up and down.

President Donald Trump waves after being sworn in as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 20, 2017. (Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
President Donald Trump waves after being sworn in as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 20, 2017. (Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)

The packed train car into D.C. had the feel of a party, with its riders wearing barely suppressed grins. A middle-aged woman hearing a remark about how happy the crowd appeared, spoke loudly to the train car: “And we all know why. We now have hope again—finally.”

During the ceremony, the introductions of the members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Supreme Court barely stirred the crowd to applause, but the introduction of Trump’s cabinet designees sparked loud cheers. When the presidential motorcade was spotted on the big screen monitors heading to the Capitol, a spontaneous chant of “Trump, Trump, Trump” broke out.

Anthony Goss from Houston at the 58th Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump. (Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Anthony Goss from Houston at the 58th Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump. (Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)

Approval

After the ceremony, Anthony Goss from Houston said the day was “Off the chain,” by which he meant “Better than you could ever expect. Beyond measure and means.”

He said Trump’s inauguration was about Trump wanting the people to succeed, not the government. “He lifts people’s spirits when he talks about that,” he said.

Bettyann Guidry of North Carolina said the inaugural reminded her of the verse in “America the Beautiful:” “Let all success be nobleness.”

“I think that’s what happened today,” she said.

Her husband Ron Guidry called the inauguration of Trump was “Very positive for America. We are ready for a real change.”

Bettyann and Ron Guidry from North Carolina at President Donald Trump inauguration. (Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Bettyann and Ron Guidry from North Carolina at President Donald Trump inauguration. (Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)

James Ramos, who travelled from Hawaii for the ceremony, was happy, but put it in perspective too. “Today is more of a celebration. Tomorrow let’s see what he can actually get done.”

John McClure with his girlfriend Alex came from London, Ky., to be a part of what he called a "historic inauguration" of President Donald Trump. (Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
John McClure with his girlfriend Alex came from London, Ky., to be a part of what he called a "historic inauguration" of President Donald Trump. (Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)

Partisanship

While the crowd had high spirits, it also had something of a chip on its shoulder. Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer, who has vowed to “hold Donald Trump’s feet to the fire,” had to speak over choruses of boos and then another round of “Trump” cheers.

The inauguration took part in the context of partisan bickering. A number of celebrities refused to perform, 55 Democratic members of the House of Representatives boycotted the event, and Rep. John Lewis of Georgia had said Trump was not a legitimate president.

President Donald Trump with wife and First Lady Melania Trump, wave after the swearing-in ceremony during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 20, 2017. (Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
President Donald Trump with wife and First Lady Melania Trump, wave after the swearing-in ceremony during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 20, 2017. (Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)

A bi-racial married couple gave witness to the sometimes ill-tempered polarization in the country. Like several Trump supporters, the wife described herself as being in tears of happiness during the inauguration. But she refused to give her name. She did not want to be trolled on social media and have to endure racial insults from other blacks, because of her support for Trump.

She is originally from Harlem and her husband is a white man from West Virginia. They feel their 30-year-long marriage shows the promise of the goodness the United States can offer. They hope that Donald Trump can help the nation deliver on that goodness.

Rain

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The forecast called for rain, but, while the skies threatened, the rain held off until the moment Trump began speaking, when a light shower began falling. Prior to giving his benediction for the event, the Reverend Franklin Graham explained that in Christianity rain is often taken as a blessing from God.

Sheila Hall from Joplin, Mo., agreed with Graham, saying in her church they often sing about the blessing of God’s rain, “of a cleansing rain.”

John and Sheila Hall from Joplin, Mo., came to show their support at the 58th Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump. (Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
John and Sheila Hall from Joplin, Mo., came to show their support at the 58th Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump. (Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)

In addition to Graham’s benediction, there were four other prayers offered during the ceremony.  Trump’s own remarks referred to the “protection of God” and to “the almighty Creator” infusing individuals with the breath of life.

Graham said the inaugural made her feel as though “our country is going to acknowledge God again.” She said she was so moved by the ceremony she had to try not to cry, but was afraid as some point she “was going to start bawling.”

Having Trump as president is the affirmation of “we the people,” Hall said. “I am happy.”