As President Donald Trump takes office, some Washingtonians hope for ‘American Golden Age’
Donald Trump was sworn as the 47th president of the United States on Monday morning, and some Washington state residents and politicians are commemorating the historic event.
Standing inside the U.S. Capitol rotunda, Trump took his oath of office for the second time on Jan. 20; his first presidential term lasted from 2017 to 2021. The Republican earned the national popular vote during the November 2024 general election, although most Washingtonians backed his Democratic opponent, now-former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Congress members from Washington state marked the occasion on social media.
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Southwest Washington posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday. She wrote that in her district, she often hears about common priorities and goals rather than “divisive partisan politics.”
The Congress member added that she’s willing to work with anyone on important issues such as combating the fentanyl crisis and lowering the cost of childcare, goods and housing.
“As your independent voice in Congress, I remain committed to fighting for our shared values and against clickbait political agendas cooked up in D.C.,” Gluesenkamp Perez said. “There’s a lot of good, bipartisan work to get done, and I’m profoundly grateful to get to do it on your behalf.”
Democratic U.S. Rep. Marilyn Strickland, whose district stretches from Tacoma to Olympia, also noted the moment on X.
“The beauty of our democracy is the peaceful transfer of power,” she wrote Monday. “The new Administration will inherit a strong economy, record low unemployment, and over 16 million new jobs. @HouseDemocrats will always fight to deliver for the American people, no matter who’s in charge.”
A couple of Trump supporters braved the cold, foggy weather first thing Monday morning to celebrate Trump’s inauguration at the Capitol Campus in Olympia. Rebecca Faust of Tumwater organized the “MAGA Take Back Washington Celebration” to ring in the historic day with other conservatives.
Faust said she hopes that Trump’s second term is a sign of good things to come.
“I hope that we can maybe shut down some of the over-regulation and waste, maybe get a more balanced budget, maybe deport some people that aren’t supposed to come into the country in the first place,” Faust said, standing at the Tivoli Fountain on the Capitol Campus.
She said those who want to come to the U.S. should apply and be vetted: “But don’t just walk across the border without us knowing who you are and without asking permission.”
Trump made cracking down on illegal immigration a presidential-campaign cornerstone. He vowed to sign immigration-related executive orders Monday soon after being sworn in.
During Trump’s inaugural address, he said he would declare a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border and that “all illegal entry will immediately be halted.” He also has pledged to end birthright citizenship for those born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants.
The country has “suffered greatly” in recent years, Trump said, but he promised to correct course.
“We will be a nation like no other: full of compassion, courage and exceptionalism,” Trump said during his inaugural address. “Our power will stop all wars and bring a new spirit of unity to a world that has been angry, violent and totally unpredictable. America will be respected again and admired again, including by people of religion, faith and good will.”
The Washington State Republican Party shared a post on X that referenced another part of the president’s speech: “America’s Golden Age begins today.”
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