Mixed feelings throughout campus concerning Trump’s inauguration

This archived article was written by: Rachel Prows Bjarnson

Embarrassed, interested, nervous, optimistic, frustrated, inquisitive, uncertain, hopeful, fearful, doubtful and timid are some of the words that students used to describe their feelings of the inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump. He was elected to be the next president of the United States of America by the electoral college on Nov. 8, 2016 and will be inaugurated on January 20, 2017.
Inauguration day has been on the Jan. 20 following the presidential election since 1937. Since 1981, the event has been held at the capitol’s west front. The inauguration of the President-elect Trump will begin at 7 a.m.
One of the confirmed performances at the inauguration will be the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. There has been some opposition in some of the members of the choir, with one member leaving her position in the choir, but there are many members that are excited for this opportunity that they have. The choir has performed at five other inaugurations for presidents of both parties, starting with Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson’s inauguration in 1965.
The Rockettes, The Piano Guys and the Talladega Marching Tornadoes are also confirmed to perform at the inauguration. Jackie Evancho has agreed to sing the national anthem at the close of the ceremony. The 16-year-old classical singer took second place on the fifth season of America’s Got Talent and has released an EP and six albums. Evancho has received a lot of hate due to her decision to perform at the inauguration.
“I just kind of thought that this is for my country,” Jackie said,”So if people are going to hate on me, it’s for the wrong reason.” Her trans-gender 18-year-old sister, Juliet Evancho, will not be attending the inauguration due to prior engagements, but stated that she “will be there in spirit.”
In President Barack Obama’s farewell speech on January 10, 2016 he stated, “In 10 days the world will witness a hallmark of our democracy. … The peaceful transfer of power from one freely-elected President to the next. I committed to President-Elect Trump that my administration would ensure the smoothest possible transition, just as President Bush did for me.”
In his first news conference on January 11, 2017 Trump announced that he is going to be signing over his company to his two sons and is going to have no part in the running of the company while he is president. There have been experts in ethics hired that will help the company. There will be no foreign deals made in the company while Trump is president and all money that comes from foreigners that stay at his hotel’s will be given to the United States Treasury.
Trump has many plans that he will implement as president. One of the big ones that he talked about in the news conference is to “repeal and replace” Obamacare.
“You’re gonna be very, very proud … of what we put forth having to do with health care. … It’ll be repeal and replace. It will be essentially, simultaneously. It will be various segments, you understand, but will most likely be on the same day or the same week, but probably, the same day, could be the same hour. … So as soon as our secretary is approved and gets into the office, we’ll be filing a plan. And it was actually, pretty accurately reported today, The New York Times. And the plan will be repeal and replace Obamacare,” said Trump.
With all of these emotions on campus about the inauguration of President-elect Trump, it will be interesting to see the beginning of this new presidency. With this new President of the United States there will be challenges, disagreements, and changes. No matter the opinion of the President-elect, keeping to values, passions, and standards will get everyone through the next four years.