Every four years in the United States, there is either a switch in the power of the presidency or the same president is elected again. This year was a switch in control; the current inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump was January 20, 2025, and most Americans, like in years past, watched the live event.
Since the first president, George Washington, people have been gathering to see the president’s swearing-in. The schedule of this event started with the vice president-elect JD Vance being one of the youngest politicians sworn into office first, followed by the president-elect. The inaugural address happened after the swearing-in ceremony.
According to usa.gov, the JCCIC (Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies) is the day’s planning committee. The current president does not have to attend the ceremony, but it is a tradition for them to do so as a sign of the passing of power. Once the swearing-in has ended, the traditional inaugural luncheon is held. This year, due to weather conditions, the celebrations were held indoors.
Political enthusiast and sophomore Levi Held gives his input on the inauguration: “I think Trump is a great president and I think he will do great as the president, however, I think the media tries to perceive him in a different light.”
Like many Americans, Held feels this inauguration is important for the nation’s history saying, “I consider this monumental for our history as he is the second president in history to have split terms.”
History teacher Mr. Lee has a different opinion: “I think the bigger deal has already been decided: the election itself. The installation is just happening now.”
As a nation, the U.S. has had inauguration celebrations since the first president was elected.
Lee touches on the most memorable ones during his life: “Two I remember the most are the 1980 and the 1984 inaugurations of Ronald Reagan. 1980 was the first year I could vote and my dad attended both of them. He would bring home the things they would give out.”
Lee also gives his view on what it must be like to be inaugurated: “It must be just an incredibly awesome moment for anyone to stand there to swear in and hear ‘Hail to the Chief’ played by the band and come to the realization you’ve caught the tiger and now the power rests on your shoulders. You can even look at Bush’s famous quote, ‘I am the decided chief.’ You make the decisions. This is what you’ve been chasing your entire political career.”
For many, this was the first inauguration they’d ever watched and they got to see the unusual occurrence of Trump signing orders in front of the people, such as withdrawals from the Paris Climate Agreement, pardoning participants in the January 6 attack and keeping the app Tik Tok running in the United States.
This event is and will always be a staple of American democracy and the continuation of this great nation.
