Donald Trump has always placed a huge emphasis on the importance of presidential inaugurations. He famously fixated on the crowd size at his first inauguration in 2017, concerned that people might question the grandeur of the event. Now, as his second inauguration approaches, it seems Trump could face similar frustrations about how the event is perceived.
First, the atmosphere of the day will be affected by a somber national event. Former President Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29, and current President Joe Biden declared a 30-day period of mourning, as is customary.
This means American flags nationwide, including in Washington, D.C., will be flown at half-staff on Inauguration Day. Trump is reportedly unhappy about this, expressing his anger on Truth Social, where he criticized Democrats for being “giddy” about the situation. However, until he officially takes office, Trump has no authority to change this protocol.
Adding to Trump’s potential frustrations is the slow progress in confirming his Cabinet nominees. According to Politico, Trump’s team had hoped for most, if not all, of his Cabinet to be confirmed by the Senate on day one.
However, delays in background checks and required paperwork are causing setbacks. Senate leaders, including Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley and Intelligence Committee members, have raised concerns about incomplete documentation for key nominees like Attorney General pick Pam Bondi and Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard.
The Senate’s usual slow pace, combined with the need for cooperation from Democrats, complicates the process further. For nominees to be confirmed on Inauguration Day, all 100 senators must agree to expedited votes, which is unlikely. Trump’s choices for national security positions, some of his most controversial picks, face additional hurdles.
As a result, Trump’s Inauguration Day may not be the triumphant and seamless event he envisions. Delays in confirmations, the half-staff flags, and potential crowd-size disputes could dampen the occasion. If things don’t go as planned, those close to him might face the brunt of his frustration.
