Trump preparing for inauguration
President-elect sweeps into Washington at start of three-day fest
WASHINGTON — With fireworks heralding his big moment, President-elect Donald Trump swept into Washington on Thursday on the eve of his presidential inauguration and pledged to unify a nation sorely divided and clamoring for change. The capital braced for an onslaught of crowds and demonstrators — with all the attendant hoopla and hand-wringing.
“It’s a movement like we’ve never seen anywhere in the world,” the president-elect declared at a celebratory concert Thursday night with the majestic Lincoln Memorial for a backdrop. To the unwavering supporters who were with him from the start, he promised: “You’re not forgotten anymore. You’re not forgotten anymore.”
Mr. Trump vowed to “unify our country.”
“But we’re going to make America great for all of our people,” the president-elect told the crowd. “That includes the inner cities, that includes everybody.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he called out, and then fireworks exploded into the evening sky.
Mr. Trump began taking on more trappings of the presidency during the day, giving a salute to the Air Force officer who welcomed him as he stepped off a military jet with wife, Melania, at Joint Base Andrews just outside Washington, D.C. Later, he placed a ceremonial wreath at Arlington National Cemetery.
At a luncheon in a ballroom at his own hotel, he gave a shoutout to Republican congressional leaders, declaring: “I just want to let the world know we’re doing very well together.” House Speaker Paul Ryan, he said, will finally have someone to sign legislation into law. Then Mr. Trump veered into the territory of the unknowable to boast his Cabinet selections had “by far the highest IQ of any Cabinet ever.”
Just blocks away, the White House was quickly emptying out.
Vice President-elect Mike Pence, in a tweet, called Inauguration Eve “a momentous day before a historic day,” as security barricades and blockades went up around Washington in preparation for today’s swearingin at the Capitol.
At the same time, U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies are examining intercepted communications and financial transactions as part of a broad investigation into possible links between Russian officials and associates of Mr. Trump, including his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, current and former senior U.S. officials said.
The continuing counterintelligence investigation means that Mr. Trump will take the oath of office today with his associates under investigation and after the intelligence agencies concluded that the Russian government had worked to help elect him.
Outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” that areas where inaugural crowds will congregate will be “extra fortified this year with dump trucks, heavily armored vehicles to prevent anybody who’s not authorized from being in the area from driving something in there.” He said there was “no specific credible threat” related to the inauguration.
Mr. Trump’s public schedule for the inaugural celebration began at Arlington, where he and Mr. Pence stood at attention as a bugler played taps at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Mr. Trump’s wife, children and grandchildren silently looked on.
The Thursday night concert, open to the public, offered headliners including country star Toby Keith, soul’s Sam Moore and rockers 3 Doors Down. But singer Jennifer Holliday backed out after an outcry from Trump critics.
Spokesman Sean Spicer said Mr. Trump will probably sign four or five executive actions today, mainly focused on logistics and government operations, with more coming Monday.
As Mr. Trump takes the oath of office today, thousands of protesters will be marching his way from an “Occupy the Inauguration” rally at Malcolm X Park. They’ll be joined by members and supporters of Democratic Socialists of America, who will start their march near the White House.
When Mr. Trump announced his candidacy for president, no one could predict the election’s outcome. Many still can’t believe that the improbable will become a reality today. Ebullient Trump fans, however, were ready for a three-day party.