2025 Inauguration attendees celebrate. Sarah Katherine Sisk | Collegian
Frigid temperatures forced the second presidential inauguration of Donald J. Trump indoors on Monday and compelled Hillsdale College’s chapter of College Republicans to cancel its trip for 35 students to Washington, D.C., but students and alumni flocked to the nation’s capital anyway.
The inauguration was planned to take place outside of the Capitol building, with ticketed and unticketed supporters packing the National Mall. On Friday, however, President-elect Trump canceled the outdoor event due to expected cold weather and moved the ceremony inside the Capitol.
“I know I speak for everyone going on the trip that this was a heartbreaking development after all the preparations we made,” said sophomore Josiah Jones, president of Hillsdale’s College Republicans. “Our HCR board recognized that this meant that we would be spending thousands of dollars to bring all 35 students hundreds of miles only to watch the ceremony on a TV screen.”
A TV screen viewing of the inauguration also was no longer an option when celebrations on the National Mall were closed off from onlookers completely. Tall, metal fences lined streets in D.C. — including parts of Pennsylvania, Constitution, and Massachusetts avenues — all streets surrounding the various inaugural ceremonies. The skies were clear and sunny while the temperature hovered in the 20s.
“It was practically impossible to travel anywhere from K Street down to Constitution Avenue by means other than walking,” said senior and America First Policy Institute staffer Makayla Babcock, who spent the entire weekend in D.C. working the inauguration galas and events. “That meant the streets were flooded every night with hundreds of men and women walking nearly a mile to attend the different galas and parties. It was truly a sight to see.”
That being said, conservatives planned alternative celebrations — both in D.C. and Hillsdale — and the energy in D.C. for the new president was still palpable.
“The energy in the city is vibrant, hopeful, and a bit chaotic. D.C. is naturally the epicenter of American politics, but this weekend, it felt like being right in the heartbeat of the MAGA movement,” Babcock said.
The streets in D.C. gushed with red — it was rare to see a person sans a “MAGA” hat. Chants of “U.S.A.” echoed throughout the streets, paired with a sea of vendors selling patriotic and Trump-themed paraphernalia. From flags, to sweatshirts, to Trump energy drinks, the city was transformed into Trump land overnight. Below-freezing temperatures did not lessen support for the new president, they just required more layers of patriotic clothing.
Thousands that came to D.C., however, came on the pretense of attending the inauguration with tickets they received from their congressional office — tickets that became essentially useless after the change of plans.
“Our office heard rumors about the inauguration Friday morning, but my chief and I were in major denial because we had put so much time and effort into planning and coordinating the ticket process,” said Phoebe Johnston, staff assistant for Rep. Balderson, R-Ohio, and Hillsdale College alumna. “Then we saw some posts on Twitter and the news and knew it was actually happening. I wanted to pull my hair out. It was so stressful already and then moving it indoors was the cherry on top.”
Following the cancellation, one option to celebrate the inauguration was a rally-style event at the Capital One Arena in downtown D.C., where Trump made an appearance and organizers held an indoor parade.
Getting into the arena, however, was a gamble. Blocks of winding barricades filled shut down streets surrounding the event space, corralling hopeful attendees, some standing in line starting at 4 a.m.
“We just felt bad for everyone who had gotten a ticket because they essentially became worthless, even for the Capital One Arena,” Johnston said. “The arena holds a little over 20,000 people, but between all the inaugural committees and offices, we gave out over 200,000 tickets.”
Those who were able to get into the arena faced tight security. Passersby noticed hundreds of bags — some even designer — as well as food, umbrellas, and signs scattered on the sidewalk. All items that did not pass security were left behind in hopes of seeing the new president.
For those unable to attend a gala, arena rally, or an event put on by their congressional office, that meant braving the cold or staying home and watching the proceedings on TV.
College Republicans opted for the latter.
“We unanimously agreed that a better use of our money would be to host a celebration bash on campus, opening it up for all to come and celebrate such a historic day,” Jones said.
HCR held the event at the Searle Center, with tables, standing room, food for attendees, and a large screen to watch the inauguration events.
“This wasn’t our original plan, as we were originally going to travel to D.C. with a small group of students, but that changed due to the weather,” sophomore Jackson Casey, HCR secretary, said. “Of course, the president had his inauguration ceremony inside, but we are very happy with the turnout here and that students were able to come and see the inauguration live on the big screen. We think everyone had a fun time witnessing this great and exciting chapter of America’s history.”
Sophomores Nicole Sighiartau and Jesse Custer both planned to go on the HCR trip to D.C. and were disappointed when it was canceled.
“I just love America so much,” Sighiartau said. “I feel so blessed to live here. My whole family’s from Romania. My grandfather tried to immigrate here, and they risked their lives to come here. Just being able to live here, and having the opportunity to go to this inauguration in D.C. — it was just such a great opportunity, I couldn’t pass it up. It’s still a great experience to be able to experience it here with Hillsdale college students.”
Custer was also drawn to the event because of a deep sense of patriotism.
“When I first saw the advertisement to sign up for the trip, I was so excited. I said to myself, ‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially with President Trump.’” Custer said. “And just like Trump said, this is the beginning of our golden ages, and I could not be prouder to be at the age that I am.”
The 2024 election was Custer’s first time voting, another reason she was eager to attend this year’s inauguration.
“It was very special. But I knew because of the weather that it wasn’t safe for us to be outside, and I knew that there wasn’t a large chance that we’d get into the Capital One Arena, so I completely respect the cancellation of the trip,” Custer said. “It was a good decision, and I enjoyed seeing it here at Hillsdale.”
Johnston echoed similar feelings from constituents in D.C., who attended a watch party planned by the congressional office she works for.
“I ended up going to and helping run a watch party at a bar that my office rented out with Jim Jordan’s office to provide a warm space for the constituents who got tickets from us and already spent all the time and money to come out,” Johnston said. “Honestly it was probably nicer than if we had been outside.”
Johnston said the event cultivated community among people from her office’s home state, something that attending the inauguration at large may not have been able to achieve.
“It was so wholesome to see all these local Ohioans come out and gather together to watch. They were cheering and crying and waving flags in the restaurant and it brought everyone together,” Johnston said.
Babcock felt similarly after attending the America First Policy Institute gala.
“Especially at the balls and galas, the celebration and joy was so evident. Being here in a work capacity, I was able to meet and work with many incredible members of Trump’s incoming cabinet and administration,” Babcock said. “Seeing their dedication and hopefulness for the future of America set the tone for the positivity of the entire weekend.”
Excitement for the new administration was consistent with other Trump-supporters on campus, as well.
“I’m just happy that Trump is our president,” senior Marina Weber said. “I really liked what Trump was saying about our future and how he has goals that are slightly different than when he was last president. He is looking to have this presidency be a long-lasting legacy that he is going to bring to the United States.”
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