Inauguration Day traditionally features a large parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, but frigid temperatures prompted Trump to direct that the day’s festivities be held indoors.
That meant moving the parade inside Capital One Arena, normally home to Washington’s NBA and NHL teams.
The new venue would seem to stretch the definition of a parade and likely won’t feature marching or floats.
As things were kicking off, even the DJ acknowledged the festivities weren’t like a normal parade.
The 45th and 47th President of the United States of America Donald John Trump and the 50th Vice President of the United States of America JD Vance are hosting the Hilarious Presidential Parade.
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Trump closely passes supporters at parade arena
Trump entered the arena via stairs in the stands that had him walking closely past his supporters.
There was no buffer between the president and his fans, who were close enough to touch him and pat him on the shoulder.
Families of Israeli Hostages meet Prez Trump
Families of hostages from Israel attended the inauguration parade, including several with family members still in captivity and others whose loved ones have died.
The family members took the stage, lining up to shake hands with Trump.
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s appointee for special envoy for peace in the Middle East, kicked off the speaking portion following the parade by celebrating the return of three Israeli hostages Sunday.
“For the former hostages here today, welcome home,” Trump said after being introduced by Witkoff
The inaugural parade included a nod to Trump’s and Vance’s formative years.
Students from the New York Military Academy, a private prep school near West Point, marched in the parade. Trump is a 1964 graduate of the school, as well as an alumnus of distinction from the school.
Also participating were the marching band and cheerleaders from Ohio’s Middletown High School. Vance graduated from the school in 2003. The community raised more than $140,000 through private donations and grants to send students from Vance’s hometown to Washington.
Parade honors rallygoer killed during Trump assassination attempt
Emergency officials and first responders from a Pennsylvania county where Trump was nearly assassinated over the summer marched in the inaugural parade.
Butler County first responders presented the colors and marched in a large U around the arena. They carried the fire jacket of Corey Comperatore, a rallygoer who was shot and killed during the attempt on Trump’s life.
A moment of silence was held for Comperatore as well.
