Inauguration shaping up as low-key, ‘workmanlike’
Trump cuts back on festivities, but protesters ramp up
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s first i naugural f estivities stretched over five days. Donald Trump is spending barely three on his.
Bill Clinton appeared at 14 official balls on the day he was sworn in. Trump plans appearances at three.
And while other presidents have staged parades that lasted more than four hours, Trump’s trip along Pennsylvania Avenue is expected to clock in at 90 minutes — making it among the shortest on record.
In a word, the 45th president’s inaugural activities will be “workmanlike,” said Boris Epshteyn, communications director for the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
The notion of a relatively low-key inaugural may come as a surprise, given the president-elect’s flair for showmanship and his credentials as a reality TV star. But Epshteyn said Trump settled on a less flashy approach, including keeping the ticket prices for the inaugural balls at $50 apiece so that working-class Americans who helped fuel Trump’s victory can take part.
Organizers are also expecting an unusually high number of protesters, given how divisive Trump’s victory over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton was. And as of Monday afternoon, nearly three dozen Democratic lawmakers had said they plan to skip the festivities, after revelations of Russia’s alleged inference in the election and Trump’s rebuke of civil rights icon John Lewis on Saturday.
But hundreds of thousands of people are ex- Authorities expect thousands of supporters and protesters to descend on Washington for Friday’s Inauguration. pected to clog the nation’s tions, he said. capital for Friday’s inauguCity planners are betting ration and a major demonthat Trump’s inauguration stration the day after. will be more like Obama’s
Officials estimate that second inauguration in 800,000 to 900,000 people 2013, which drew more will be present Friday. than 800,000, rather than Trump has promised “masObama’s first in 2009, sive crowds,” but just what which drew 1.8 million peothatple.willmeanisunclear.
Hundreds of thousands But while officials have of others are expected Satexperience and historical urday for the Women’s data to draw on to estimate March on Washington. crowds for Friday, guessing
Trump showed he could how many people will show draw crowds during the up for Saturday’s demoncampaign, but his supportstration is harder. Women’s ers weren’t so quick to make March on Washington orplans to be in Washington ganizers said in applying for for his inauguration. a demonstration permit
Elliott Ferguson, the that they expected 200,000 president of Destination people. DC, the city’s convention In other inauguration deand tourism bureau, said velopments, Mike Pence that before Election Day, will use Ronald Reagan’s hotels had more events tenfamily Bible when he’s tatively planned for a Hillasworn in as Trump’s vice ry Clinton victory than one president. for Donald Trump. And The Republican former when Trump won, the degovernor of Indiana has mand for hotel rooms did long been an admirer of not immediately reach that Reagan and says it’s “humof past recent inaugurabling” to be the first to use tions, he said. the Bible in an inauguration
Things started to pick up ceremony since Reagan, the after New Year’s, but some 40th president. The Bible hotels have cut back minialso was used when Reagan mum-night stays from four was sworn in as governor of nights to two. Some hotels California. It’s being transare only 50 percent full, ported from the Ronald though higher-end hotels Reagan Presidential Library apparently have more bookin Simi Valley, Calif. ings, he said.
Saturday’s march has helped drive more reserva-