President-elect Donald Trump arrived in Washington on Monday ahead of his second inauguration.
The celebration of Trump's return to power commenced on Saturday evening with a fireworks display at his Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, approximately 30 miles from Washington.
Organizers of the ceremony were compelled to move most outdoor events indoors due to low temperatures. January 20 is expected to be the coldest Inauguration Day in the last 40 years.
Consequently, the swearing-in ceremony for the president and vice president, which traditionally takes place on the steps of the Capitol, will be relocated inside the building — the first time since President Ronald Reagan's inauguration in 1985.
"I believe we made the right decision. Now we will be very comfortable," Donald Trump said in an NBC News interview on Saturday.
The president-elect, along with his wife Melania and their son Barron, flew from Florida aboard a military C-32 aircraft, which has been designated Special Air Mission 47 — a nod to Trump becoming the 47th president.
0Traditionally, the outgoing administration provides the aircraft as a courtesy. However, in 2021, Donald Trump did not offer the plane to Joe Biden, who arrived in Washington on a private jet.
Promised Deportations
In the same NBC interview, Donald Trump confirmed that his administration would "very soon and very quickly" begin fulfilling its campaign promise of mass deportation of undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.
According to an official familiar with the plan, after Trump takes office, federal immigration officials will initially target over 300 individuals in Chicago who have previously committed violent crimes.
"This has to happen, and if it doesn’t, we will no longer have a country," Trump stated, declining to disclose where the deportation operations would begin.
The Republican left office in 2021 after his refusal to concede defeat to Democrat Joe Biden led to a mob storming the Capitol. He also did not attend Biden's inauguration, breaking tradition.
1This time, Joe Biden will welcome Donald Trump at the White House, from where they will travel together to the Capitol.
According to the Republican, the theme of his inaugural speech will focus on "unity and strength, as well as the word 'justice'."
People's March
Prior to Donald Trump's arrival in the capital, groups of protesters, primarily women, began taking to the streets to hold a march in defense of women's rights, which they believe are under threat from the incoming administration.
"I just didn’t want to stay home and be bored in front of the TV," said participant Melody Hamoud. "I wanted to feel that our movement still has energy and be around those who feel the same way."
The Saturday march, renamed the People's March from the Women's March, was dedicated to themes of feminism, racial justice, anti-militarization, and other issues, concluding with discussions organized by social justice organizations.
2Protesters held signs with slogans like "Save America" and "Against abortions? Then don’t have one."
Women outraged by Trump's victory in the 2016 presidential election gathered in Washington and organized large rallies in cities across the country, laying the groundwork for what became known as the Women's March.
Over 500,000 people attended the capital rally alone, with millions participating in marches nationwide, making it one of the largest demonstrations in U.S. history.