On January 20, many gathered on the National Mall to witness the inauguration of the 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump. Those in attendance were both supporters and detractors of Trump. Tensions between the two demographics were respectful with a few instances of clash during the ceremony.

The Washington, D.C. area was under high security in preparation for the historic ceremony, with many roads shut down and blockades and security personnel posted around the perimeter of the National Mall. Viewing areas were separated into multiple sections with different security checkpoints posted at each entrance.

For those in attendance, such as Northampton Community College Criminal Justice student Am-
ber Hess, the inauguration was a chance to witness history.

“I don’t know if I’ll get this op- portunity again. Some people think that [the inauguration] is bad; some people believe that it’s good. No matter what, it’s change, and change leads to progression,” Hess said.

Junior Jonathan Olshefski witnessed the swearing in ceremony from the ticketed viewing area on the southeast side of the Capitol Building.

“The ability to be so close to the actual ceremony and to be amongst thousands of other people all watching the tradition of the pass- ing of power continue was the most interesting and awe-inspiring thing I have ever witnessed,” Olshefski said.

University of San Diego student Christopher Elmore, who studies Organizational Leadership, also attended the inauguration.

“It was awesome, for a couple dif- ferent reasons. For one, I’m kind of a history bu . I’m caught up in the awe of this moment in time regard- less of how you think politically. It was de nitely a good experience to have,” Elmore said.

For both Hess and Elmore, this event was an opportunity to wit- ness change and learn from their surroundings.

“Never sell yourself short on opportunities. So whether you agree with Trump [or] do not agree with Trump, the experience either way was a good one because there’s always something to learn. I’m always open to nding a way to learn something regardless of how I think, so I’m going to continue to look back on this experience,” Elmore said.

“I don’t think that one person can fail a country. I don’t think that he is going to fail the country in the next four years. I think he’s going to instill change, and [it] may not be completely right but there is always going to be somebody that shows the progression of change and change what he did that was wrong,” Hess said.

Quinnipiac University Legal Studies student Bora Agastra had a different experience at the National Mall. Agastra and her group of friends were involved in a confrontation with other who were alleged- ly screaming profanities in regards to former president and first lady Barack and Michelle Obama. Agastra explained that a er her friend respectfully asked the screaming men to stop, they responded by yelling profanities at her.

“I did not have the experience that I wanted to have but I was glad that I saw a lot of people there that were having fun,” Agastra said.

On the other hand, Hess felt that the climate was very calm at the inauguration.

“I thought it was great. I didn’t feel uncomfortable. I didn’t feel unsafe. I think the people that were there were there for the right reasons. I think that if you truly love your candidate and truly believe in your candidate then you’d be at the inauguration, and I think that’s who was there,” Hess said.