Protesters take to the streets

An hour before Trump took the stage in Washington, the sound of opening champagne bottles echoed in the vaulted hall [in Moscow, while] after the swearing-in … , protesters registered their rage in the streets of Washington and other cities.

WASHINGTON (AP): AS DONALD Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States yesterday, taking command of a deeply divided nation and ushering in an unpredictable era in Washington, demonstrations unfolded at various security checkpoints near the Capitol as police helped ticket-holders get through.

In fact, throughout yesterday, there were anti-Trump protests in various parts of the world.

After the swearing-in, more protesters registered their rage in the streets of Washington and other cities. Police in riot gear deployed pepper spray and made numerous arrests after protesters smashed the windows of downtown businesses, denouncing capitalism and Trump.

CLINTON AMONG ATTENDEES

More than 60 House Democrats refused to attend his swearing-in ceremony in the shadow of the Capitol dome. One Democrat who did sit among the dignitaries was Hillary Clinton, Trump’s vanquished campaign rival who was widely expected by both parties to be the one taking the oath of office.

In a show of solidarity, all of the living American presidents attended Trump’s inaugural, except for 92-year-old George H.W. Bush, who was hospitalised this week with pneumonia. His wife, Barbara, was also in the hospital after falling ill.

At 70, Trump is the oldest person to be sworn in as president, marking a generational step backward after two terms for Obama, one of the youngest presidents to serve as commander-in-chief.