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Typically, it’s the winter chill in Washington in January that risks dampening enthusiasm when the new president takes office. At times, the entire outdoor event has come close to moving indoors as the temperature has dropped many degrees below zero. Snow fell before John F. Kennedy’s installation in 1961, but a massive line-up of plows and military vehicles managed to clear the procession’s path and the area around the Capitol overnight enough for Kennedy and most of the guests will arrive there. Shivering guests and hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the United States have over the years defied the forces of weather that, in addition to snow, brought freezing rain, hail, and strong icy winds.
But this year, it is not the weather that is worrying. Restrictions to prevent the spread of covid-19 meant that the parade of orchestras along Pennsylvania Avenue was canceled early, now the musicians appear digitally. The number of guests with seats around the Capitol landing, where Joe Biden was sworn in on Wednesday, has been reduced to a minimum and the tickets that could be bought have been greatly decimated. There is also a general discouragement from traveling to Washington and meeting in the open space The Mall, across from the Capitol, which is open to all.
READ MORE: A presidential ceremony that will be different from all the others
New conditions
But the assault on the Capitol completely changed the conditions. Much of The Mall has now been cordoned off with high fences, 20,000 National Guard soldiers are guarding alongside Washington police, summoned guards from many states, and security police reinforcements. Hotels, restaurants and stores have closed and nailed plywood to the windows. Booking site Airbnb has canceled all reservations in Washington with the surrounding area, bridges and roads blocked and those living in the capital are urged to stay indoors.
The FBI warns of riots and refers to tracked conversations on social media. But the threats are directed not only at the Joe Biden facility but also at the state congress buildings. Security is being strengthened throughout the United States and security controls at airports are being expanded.
This means that Joe Biden’s presidency begins dramatically, but at the same time becomes a manifestation of the fact that democracy has won against serious attacks on both the electoral system and Congress.
From folk festival to siege. Hundreds of thousands of people often gather to see the presidential installation. This year, Americans are discouraged from going to Washington. Photo: Jose Luis Magana
Barack Obama wrote history
In ordinary cases, the installation is a folk festival celebrating the new president and the peaceful transfer of power from one president to another. Washington is being invaded by people who want to be in the place at the historic moment. Even with the not-so-memorable facilities, it’s the feeling of being a part of something big that gets stuck. Souvenirs, hats, caps, sweaters and mugs are sold to remember “I was there”.
READ MORE: The presidential inauguration on Wednesday: everything you need to know
With the first black president Barack Obama, the true story was written in 2009. As many as two million came to Washington and were forced to be part of the magic, the next installment was comparatively rejected. And when Donald Trump was installed in 2017, he came directly as president with his first lie when he claimed that his more modest crowd of supporters in place was more than any previous president.
The comparison between the number of visitors in the presidential facilities of Barack Obama, on the left, and Donald Trump, on the right. Image: AP
And what is lost with an installation when only the most necessary formal fits? Well, the atmosphere of jubilation, the joy, the parties that start several days in advance. And often up to ten balls to be arranged. Expensive tickets, crammed among party dresses, no food, drinks in plastic cups at imaginative prices, orchestras that are not heard and dance floors where it is not possible to move. But when the president arrives late at night, all the negatives disappear. Say a few words. Dancing with the first lady. Glasses are raised, cheers rise. A new era has begun with bright hopes and expectations.
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