Congress Kicks Off Inauguration Preparations as Memories Linger \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Construction of the U.S. Capitol’s presidential inauguration platform began, with bipartisan congressional leaders emphasizing the significance of the peaceful transfer of power. The stage, symbolic of democracy, is under construction as concerns linger about political violence after the Capitol riot and recent assassination attempts.
Inauguration Platform Construction: Quick Looks
- Symbolic event: Congressional leaders began the construction of the Capitol’s inauguration platform, emphasizing the peaceful transfer of power.
- 2021 Capitol attack: While the ceremony avoided directly mentioning Jan. 6, the event evoked memories of rioters using parts of the stage to attack police.
- Bipartisanship: Leaders from both parties gathered to call for unity and toned-down political rhetoric amid rising tensions.
- Historical backdrop: The platform construction coincided with the anniversary of George Washington laying the Capitol’s cornerstone.
Congress Kicks Off Inauguration Deep Look
Work on the presidential inauguration platform officially began on Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol, with congressional leaders from both sides of the political aisle driving in the ceremonial first nails. The event, held in a spirit of bipartisanship, took place against the backdrop of Washington’s National Mall. It served as a poignant reminder of America’s long-standing commitment to the peaceful transfer of power, a tradition nearly shattered during the violent Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack by supporters of former President Donald Trump.
While no direct references were made to that infamous day, the shadow of the Capitol riot loomed large over the ceremony, especially in light of the latest assassination attempt against Trump, further stoking fears of potential violence during the upcoming election season.
A Stage for Democracy Amid Political Turmoil
“These workers will literally set the stage for the peaceful transfer of power,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar, chair of the joint committee overseeing the preparations for the inauguration platform. Klobuchar’s words underscored the significance of the ceremony, which has become an emblem of democracy. The platform itself will host around 1,600 people on Jan. 20, including the president and vice president-elect, past presidents, members of Congress, foreign dignitaries, and Supreme Court justices.
In her remarks, Klobuchar reminded the public that the upcoming inauguration is an opportunity to “celebrate our democracy and the sacred values that tie us together as a nation,” a sentiment felt more strongly in the wake of the 2021 Capitol riot, when rioters used construction materials from the unfinished platform to assault law enforcement and disrupt the certification of the 2020 election.
The presidential inauguration symbolizes a transition of power that has been peacefully conducted since the founding of the republic, though it was severely tested when Trump’s supporters swarmed the Capitol two weeks before President Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Calls for Civility Amid Election Tensions
During the ceremony, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, used the platform to urge restraint in political discourse. Johnson, while acknowledging ongoing tensions, called for scaling back the aggressive rhetoric that has dominated both parties’ campaigns. “Let’s have a vigorous debate on the policy differences, on the records, but let’s turn the rhetoric down because we’re not going to be able to sustain that,” said Johnson.
His plea comes at a time of heightened anxiety, with political violence becoming an ever-present concern in a deeply polarized country. While Johnson criticized Democrats for labeling Trump a threat to democracy, his call for de-escalation was seen as a bipartisan gesture, fitting the symbolic nature of the event.
Jan. 6 Still Echoes in Capitol Events
The memories of Jan. 6, 2021, were palpable, even if unspoken. That day, rioters breached the Capitol grounds, some using construction materials from the nearly completed inaugural stage as weapons. Workers building the stage had to evacuate as the violence unfolded, later returning to repair the damage in time for President Biden’s inauguration. The ongoing construction for the upcoming inauguration inevitably draws attention to those events, especially with continued concerns about election-season violence.
Adding to the historic nature of the event, Wednesday’s ceremony coincided with the anniversary of George Washington laying the cornerstone of the Capitol, further reminding attendees of the enduring importance of the institution and its role in the nation’s democratic process.
Symbolism and History in the Inaugural Platform
The inaugural platform itself holds historical and symbolic significance. Five American flags will fly above the stage, with one bearing the current 50 stars and two others featuring 13 stars, representing the original colonies. The remaining two flags will display the number of stars that correspond to the home states of the president and vice president. For instance, should Vice President Kamala Harris remain in office, the platform will feature a 31-star flag representing California, while a 27-star flag would represent Florida should Trump make a comeback to the White House.
The 2024 inauguration stands to make history. The next president will either be Kamala Harris, the first Black woman and South Asian American to serve as president, or Donald Trump, marking only the second time a former president returns to office after losing re-election. The flags and the platform will represent not just a stage, but a milestone in America’s ever-evolving political journey.
Ceremony: Unity Amid Division
Lawmakers, donning construction gear and hammering ceremonial nails, expressed hope that the upcoming inauguration will foster a spirit of unity despite the deep divisions currently facing the nation. House Republican Leader Steve Scalise and Sen. Amy Klobuchar eagerly participated in the ceremony, each driving nails with symbolic vigor. As construction workers, wearing hard hats and reflective vests, looked on, the two leaders joined their colleagues in hammering in a handful of the 500,000 nails that will hold the inauguration stage together.
As Klobuchar finished the ceremony with a smile and a laugh, her actions underscored the larger message of the day: that, despite the intense political challenges, the U.S. remains committed to the peaceful transfer of power, an ideal deeply rooted in its history.
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