Donald Trump was sworn into office as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20, marking just the second time in U.S. history that a president will serve two non-consecutive terms.
Trump, the fifth Georgetown University parent to serve as president, has multiple connections to the university; his children Eric (MSB ’06) and Tiffany (LAW ’20) are graduates, while his daughter Ivanka attended Georgetown for two years before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania.
Trump’s inauguration was held in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda after forecasts predicted below-freezing weather in Washington, D.C., diverting many attendees to Capital One Arena. Thousands, including several Georgetown students, endured the cold to witness the historic event on-screen at Capital One Arena, with many waiting in line for hours only to be turned away once the building reached capacity.
Devin Short (CAS ’28), membership director for the Georgetown University College Republicans, scored tickets to the original inauguration ceremony but said he decided to stay on campus once it moved indoors.
“It’s obviously a bummer because it would have been really fun,” Short told The Hoya. “I had staff section tickets, so I would have been up close, and I think it would have been a fun experience.”
Short added that despite his disappointment, the low temperatures, which hit 27 degrees Fahrenheit at noon, validated his choice to remain on the Hilltop.
“I’ve been out and about today. It was brutally cold,” Short said. “I think just with all of the people here in D.C. who would have been willing to wait outside, I mean, this cold is no joke, so it was the right decision.”
Pam Bennetts, a flooring company controller from Las Vegas, Nev., waited outside for eight hours to witness the pre-inauguration rally on Sunday, and lined back up Monday morning to try and get into Capital One Arena.
After taking the presidential oath of office, Trump greeted his supporters and held the inaugural parade at the arena. He signed a slew of executive orders, including orders to end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented or temporary immigrants, freeze most federal hiring and dismantle all federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Bennetts said her admiration for Trump’s candid attitude inspired her to travel to D.C. for the celebration, adding that she agreed with the decision to keep Trump safe from the low temperatures by moving the proceedings indoors.
“He’s a businessman, he’s to the point, he tells it like it is,” Bennetts told The Hoya. “He says things people don’t like and that’s how I am. I respect that what he says he’s going to do, he does. If it keeps him safe, I’m all for it.”
Due Rojrachsombat (SFS ’27), who also attended the pre-inaugural rally Sunday, said that despite not being particularly political himself, he made quick friends with several Trump supporters waiting outside.
“I made friends with six other people in our group,” Rajrochsombat told The Hoya. “We were in line since 9:30 a.m., and at the end we went out to dinner. They took me as their own, even though I was just there to experience momentum.”
Felecia Nace, an education consultant from New Jersey, said she didn’t mind waiting outdoors because the thrill of the event kept her warm.
“Even though it’s cold, you don’t really feel the cold because it’s just exciting to have Trump back,” Nace told The Hoya.
Michelle McMinn, a photographer for the Trump family and Trump International for nearly two decades, said she was excited to see her employer be elected once again despite having never been active in Republican politics.
“I haven’t been a Democrat or Republican. I just always tried to look at the person, not the party,” McMinn told The Hoya. “Look what he’s gone through and look how he comes out and fights, it’s incredible.”
Bennetts, who donned a black trash bag with the phrase “MAGA 47” on it, said she wanted to hearken back to comments by former President Joe Biden widely interpreted as referring to Trump supporters.
“Joe Biden called us garbage,” Bennetts said. “The day after he did that was Halloween, Trump was having a rally in Nevada, so I took my hefty garbage bag from work, and I put ‘MAGA’ on it.”
Brandon Paul Rowell, a judge from Marion County, Miss., who traveled to D.C. with his daughter, said he felt disappointed to miss the opportunity to attend an outdoor inaugural ceremony.
“We were very disappointed it wasn’t outside as usual, but I guess you can’t predict that, but we’ve enjoyed Washington and sightseeing,” Rowell told The Hoya.
Rowell and his daughter did not make it inside Capital One Arena in time for the swearing-in but were able to stream the ceremony live on YouTube from their cell phones. Rowell said he hoped to hear what the incoming president planned to do for Mississippians.
“Our community was worried about lower taxes and less government; that was a big issue for us,” Rowell said. “That was pretty much all around.”
Others, including Rajrochsombat, decided to head home after braving the Monday morning cold to visit the U.S. Capitol.
“I went to the Capitol building to take a picture from the outside. But then I decided it was too cold, and I’m not doing it again. So basically left to go indoors to go watch it live,” Rajrochsombat said.
Rajrochsombat, an international student from Thailand, said he returned to a watch party hosted by the Georgetown Bipartisan Coalition — a student-run organization aimed at promoting political discourse — to witness the historic event.
“The United States is the only country that can captivate so much interest,” Rajrochsombat said. “Because whatever happens here rings a bell of consequence throughout the world. I’m just here to observe and learn as I can.”
McMinn said she hopes her client will lead the country in the right direction.
“I think God’s saved his life a couple times, put him in this position, and I’m just praying that he will guide this country so we can get back on our feet,” McMinn said.
