As Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, members of Congress and other guests came together in the Capitol Rotunda for the presidential inauguration, supporters — and the occasional opponent — of the soon-to-be sworn in President Donald Trump gathered around the highly secured Capitol building to be a part of the day’s festivities in any way they could.
Just hours before Trump took the oath of office and assumed the powers of the presidency, many Trump supporters gathered outside the Capitol fences decked out in Make America Great Again garb to show support for the incoming president. Along with Trump’s supporters on the National Mall were occasional protesters voicing their opposition to Trump.
These are the thoughts and faces of those who gathered around the Capitol on the morning of Jan. 20, 2025.
Robert Agee from Martyrs Hill, Virginia said he went to the Capitol on Inauguration Day morning to gather with other Trump backers to show his support for the incoming president. Agee said he is ready to “get rid” of the last four years of the Biden administration’s policies, and is looking forward to Trump’s actions on securing the southern border and improving the economy. He said even those who are not supporters of Trump should watch the inauguration with an “open mind” to what the president has to say.
“Trump says some things that you know when you first think about it, and it’ll trigger you,” Agee said. “But if you sit back and let him finish what he’s saying, and think about what he actually said and not about one word here and one word there, you’ll understand what he’s talking about and he makes sense,” Agee said.
Grant Salgaller, a D.C. resident who came to the Capitol to protest Trump and his agenda, said the election results do not mean that the “fight doesn’t continue” for the causes people believe in, like LGBTQ rights. Salgaller held a sign that read “Protect trans kids” and said there is currently lots of “moral panic” and misinformation surrounding transgender communities.
“I think it’s important that children be allowed to explore their gender identity and like, live however the f*ck they want, they’re kids. It’s fine if they want to do something medical about it, then there can be an informed conversation with a parent and or medical professional,” Salgaller said
Salgaller also had a sign that read “You can’t be ‘tough on crime’ and elect a felon,” and said he believes in felons reintegrating into society but pointed out that if a Democrat was accused of what Trump was convicted for — falsifying business records to cover a hush money payment to an adult-film actress — Republicans would rally against them.
“They have absolutely gone bat sh*t over things with way less credibility and evidence, so I think it’s just important to be consistent in your political ideology,” Salgaller said.
Jake Serrano, who traveled from southern California, said he stood outside the Capitol prior to the ceremony because he was “proud to be an American” and to see the country “start changing.” Serrano said he is looking forward to Trump’s actions on the economy, specifically his promise to end taxation on overtime wages, which Serrano said he thinks will ease some financial burden on his family.
”My wife and I have been struggling to pay our bills for the last four years. It’s been hard, it’s been really hard,” Serrano said. “You know, I work six days a week, I work 55 to 70 hours a week. You know, all my money is gone.”
William Feely, a Republican National Committeeman from Nebraska, said he is eager to see the new administration enact new policy that will “help all Americans.” In regards to those Americans who don’t support Trump, Feely said his advice would be to “give him a chance.”
“I mean, he’s already been president for four years, and the country didn’t have the peril, in my opinion, and just see what he’s going to do. There’s a lot of misinformation on both sides, and I think his administration is going to be great, and it’s going to benefit, like I said, every American,” Feely said.
Terri Hurst, who traveled to D.C. from Jackson, Georgia, said although she would have “loved” to see Trump take the oath of office outside, she was invited to join her congressperson Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) in his office for a watch party instead. Hurst said she is excited for the start of Trump’s administration.
“Honestly, what I’m more excited about is just getting us back on the right track of being Americans, and not the normal cliche, but to make us great again. Seriously,” Hurst said.
Makinley Stuart, a Delaware resident, said she was excited for Trump to be back in office. She said she was a supporter of Trump during his first term, when she lived overseas in Italy due to her father’s job with the military. Stuart said everyone should watch the inauguration “for the history,” even if they are not a supporter of President Trump.
“People are entitled to their own views, if they don’t support him that’s their own choice,” Stuart said. “But today is definitely a momentous day in history, and even if you don’t support it, you have to be able to acknowledge that.”
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