Beneath a veneer of calm, Trump's inauguration holds warning signs for US democracy

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Beneath a veneer of calm, Trump’s inauguration holds warning signs for US democracy

The Associated Press
January 21, 2025, 12:13 AM

All the living former presidents were there and the outgoing president amicably greeted his successor, who gave a speech about the country’s bright future and who left to the blare of a brass band.

At first glance, President Donald Trump’ssecond inauguration seemed like a continuation of the country’s nearly 250-year-long tradition of peaceful transfers of power, essential to its democracy. And there was much to celebrate: Trump won a free and fair election last fall, and his supporters hope he will be able to fix problems at the border, end the war in Ukraine and get inflation under control.

Still, on Monday, the warning signs were clear.

{snip}

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Riccardi reported from Denver. Associated Press writers Michael Kunzelman and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

[Trust_Reality]

1. Warning signs?

You are the absolute masters of gross understatement!

[Paladin]

2. "Warning signs for US democracy."

Gee, AP personnel, what was your first clue for that astounding conclusion? Help yourself to a "No Shit, Sherlock" take-home prize...

[Blue_Tires]

3. You know, stories like this would have been a lot more

Useful had they ran before Nov. 5....

[travelingthrulife]

4. Boy, these reporters have crack observational skills!