President-elect Donald Trump met privately with Republican senators on Sunday, laying final groundwork for his return to power as he prepares for his second term in office. The private breakfast took place at Blair House, the president’s official guest residence, directly across from the White House. It provided GOP leaders an opportunity to discuss strategies ahead of Trump’s inauguration.
As political leaders gathered in Washington, Trump’s supporters, many of whom had travelled from across the country, filled both formal and informal events near the White House. Dressed in elaborate outfits, including fur coats, these enthusiastic supporters chanted slogans like “MAGA” while celebrating Trump’s victory and the resurgence of the Make America Great Again movement.
The gathering marked Trump’s first full day back in Washington since his November victory. For Trump, it was an opportunity to fire up his base of supporters before the formal events of Inauguration Day, which would culminate in his swearing-in at noon on Monday.
Despite the nation’s deep political divisions, Trump’s return to Washington has been met with celebration rather than the protests that marked his previous inauguration in 2017. The security measures around the events have been extensive, but authorities are not anticipating the same level of unrest or violence that occurred after his 2020 defeat to Joe Biden. Instead, the city has prepared for a joyful celebration of Trump’s second term and his party’s firm grip on the Republican establishment.
This return to Washington represents a dramatic shift from Trump’s exit in January 2021, when he left in disgrace after his supporters attacked the Capitol in an effort to overturn the election results. Four years later, he has secured a decisive win in the 2024 election, which saw him triumph with an Electoral College victory not seen since Barack Obama’s re-election in 2012.
Yet despite his electoral success, Trump remains a deeply polarising figure. His victory has led to a GOP that is firmly under his control, but many Americans still view him with disdain. This stark division raises questions about his ability to promote unity, as Trump himself has called for retribution against political enemies in the lead-up to his second term. Nonetheless, his inauguration speech is expected to focus on themes of unity, strength, and fairness.
“January 20th cannot come fast enough!” Trump posted on his social media platform, expressing eagerness for the start of his second term. He also acknowledged that even those who opposed his victory are now looking forward to the event.
The frigid temperatures expected on Monday prompted Trump to direct most of the day’s outdoor events to be moved indoors, with preparations being made to accommodate the 250,000 guests who had tickets for the Capitol’s outdoor viewing areas. The traditional inaugural parade will take place at the Capital One Arena due to weather concerns. Large viewing screens that had been set up on the National Mall were removed, and alternative indoor locations for viewing the ceremonies were being considered.
In addition to domestic matters, Trump also focused on international issues, taking to social media to comment on the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and to address the ongoing federal ban on the TikTok app. Trump expressed optimism about the hostages being released in Gaza, adding that three young women would be the first to be freed. Regarding TikTok, Trump assured his supporters that he would work to reinstate the app once he takes office, despite the federal law requiring its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest over national security concerns.
Trump also issued a statement calling for companies to help reverse the TikTok ban, stating that he would sign an executive order to buy time for a potential solution. His incoming national security adviser, Michael Waltz, said Trump would be able to find a way forward, suggesting that discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping were already underway.
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Trump’s Sunday activities included a ceremonial wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery, where he honoured fallen soldiers, before heading to the Capital One Arena for a rally. Later, he was scheduled to attend a candlelight dinner as part of the inauguration festivities.
In the lead-up to his second term, Trump’s political and personal legacy is at the forefront of discussions. With a polarized nation and divided opinions about his leadership, the next four years promise to be anything but conventional.
