Pomp and protest
Trump to address divide, focus on ‘issues that unite us’
TEXANS IN D.C.: Spirits of patriotism and activism descend on nation’s capital
WASHINGTON — Houston native Cooper Johnson flew into the nation’s capital Thursday morning, wanting to soak up the energy of the entire weekend when Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.
Thousands of Texans like Johnson drove or flew north for the historic day, some in a flurry of patriotism and others with a sense of doom.
Crowds began to grow throughout the day as visitors descended upon Washington, D.C. Groups from around the Lone Star State came in force, attending parties, visiting historic sites and meeting with their elected officials.
Johnson, 30, booked his ticket almost as soon as he knew the results of the Nov. 8 election. Johnson, who voted for Obama in 2008 and supported Ron Paul in 2012, said he is hopeful the Trump administration could mean real change and hope that the United States
needs.
“I was so excited that my candidate won,” Johnson said. “I thought, ‘Why not just come up and witness a piece of history.’ It’s going to a big change of the status quo. I’m so glad to be here. I’m seeing different things and different communities. I always keep an open mind.”
A worker in a manufacturing plant, Johnson said he hopes Trump will focus on immigration issues, foreign policy and a smaller federal government. At the same time, he said, he is impressed with the number of organizations flooding Washington this weekend in opposition to Trump.
“Everyone needs to voice their opinions,” he said.
Butch Coburn and Cam- eron Philips flew to Washington with their wives on Wednesday to celebrate the inauguration of the unorthodox Republican who gives the political establishment heartburn.
‘Taking America back’
“We decided we wanted to be there to see history made,” said Coburn, a 44-year-old small businessman who signed on with Trump after U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas ran out of steam in his bid to become president. Neighbors in the Austin suburb of Cedar Park, the couples will not have special seating or a place on any stage, but they were thrilled to make the trip.
“This is about taking America back for the people, like you and me,” said Phillips, a 43-year-old software engineer. “I had some doubt this day would ever come. We just wanted to go to say we were there to support Mr. Trump, President Trump, want to see the faces of all the damn Washington liberals who will be out there protesting, too. I’m going to tell them: It’s happened, people. Give it up. Get used to it.”
Berto Saez was planning to deliver the same message. The 46-year-old Trump supporter from San Antonio left for Washington on Tuesday as part of a Bikers for Trump group that plans to rally at the inauguration.
“There will be thousands of people protesting, so we want to have just as many people there showing our support,” he said last week, as he prepared for the 1,600mile trip with five other Trump supporters, including two from Houston.
“By showing our support for Donald Trump, we will be showing support for our united country,” Saez said. “My message is that the election is over, that we all need to come together and move forward together. This was never as much about Republican or Democrat or liberal or conservative as much as it was about taking our government back for the people, to give the people a voice again. I want my voice to be heard at the inaugural.”
Pen Morrison is one of those protesters. The 62-year-old graphic designer from Houston is flying in Friday morning and will participate in Saturday’s Women’s March on Washington.
“This is my way of giving back to those who fought for civil rights and women’s rights in the past,” Morrison said. “I feel like we will have to hit bottom before we realize we need help.”
She said the biggest obstacle to change in the country is disgust in the political process, and she hopes Trump’s victory will inspire people to fight apathy.
‘I’m not losing hope’
Morrison, who takes advantage of the Affordable Care Act, said she fears for the future of health care. She also fears for marginalized groups and the middle class and worries about environmental protections being rolled back under Trump.
“If we start paying dues of people that came before us, we can make a change,” she said. “I’m hopeful about the future and think we can make a difference. I’m not losing hope.”
For many Texans, however, Friday is a day of celebration.
Martha Mathis, who came to the inaugural with the Republican Women’s Club of Katy, termed herself a diehard Trump fan. “I supported Mr. Trump from the day he announced, when he came down that escalator,” she said. “I thought, ‘Oh my word, he’s my candidate.’ ”
For Mathis, an activist who did phone bank work for the campaign, the inauguration will be “euphoria, like a dark cloud is removed and the sun is shining.”
Magnolia air-conditioning contractor Steve Martinez also came to Washington with his wife Carla and 16-year-old daughter Olivia, one of seven children. They won their tickets in a congressional lottery and want to see the transfer of power first-hand.
To Martinez, Trump represents a break from politics as usual, and he hopes that it stays that way. “I want Trump to be the same man that we voted for,” he said. “I don’t want him changing because of Washington politics or political correctness.”