President-elect Donald Trump said he could start pardons for “most” convicted Jan. 6 protesters during his first minutes in the White House.
Trump pledged throughout his campaign that he would pardon some people convicted of crimes during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
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Newly inaugurated Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs is off to a rocky start, following a giggling bout at her swearing-in, questions surrounding inauguration donations, and a walkout during her first speech to the state Legislature by lawmakers who are planning to sue her.
Hobbs was sworn in on Jan. 2 in a brief ceremony off-limits to reporters, according to the Arizona Republic. A media pool photographer was present, and the ceremony was livestreamed. A public ceremony was later held on Thursday last week.
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A Minnesota Senator used her inaugural speech to demonize mostly peaceful protestors who occupied the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. on January 6, while simultaneously calling for unity.
“Two weeks ago, when an angry, violent mob staged an insurrection and desecrated this temple of our democracy, it awakened us to our responsibility as Americans,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) said, speaking to a sparse crowd. “This is the day when our democracy picks itself up, brushes off the dust, and does what America always does: goes forward as a nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
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President-elect Joe Biden said Friday that President Donald Trump not attending his inauguration is “a good thing.”
“I was told that, on the way up here, way over here, that he indicated he wasn’t going to show up at the inauguration. One of the few things he and I have ever agreed on. It’s a good thing, him not showing up,” Biden said.
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Today’s forecast of inclement weather with rain, strong winds and possible lightning caused Gov.-elect Bill Lee to move his inauguration inside War Memorial Auditorium from the traditional site of Legislative Plaza. Lee said on Facebook,”Due to inclement weather, the Inaugural Ceremony has been moved to War Memorial Auditorium. View the full details for the event at BelieveinTN.com.” “While the weather doesn’t seem to be cooperating, we are looking forward to a fantastic inaugural weekend,” he said. “Be safe, but still also feel welcome to attend this historic event. We are making every effort to accommodate overflow space for those wishing to attend.” The inaugural ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. CST. A list of events is here. War Memorial Auditorium has a seating capacity of 1,661, WKRN said. This will be the first time since the inauguration of Gov. Ray Blanton in 1975 that the ceremony has been moved off of the Plaza. There was no room for the governor-elect at Bridgestone Arena, where the Predators are playing. No tickets are required to attend the inauguration ceremony, The Tennessee Star previously reported. Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey S. Bivins will administer Lee’s oath of office. The event will be a joint…
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The Freedom From Religion Foundation is objecting to Tennessee Gov.-elect Bill Lee reportedly selling tickets to a worship service as part of his inauguration. The 2019 Inaugural Worship Service Saturday will feature Michael W. Smith, CeCe Winans, Steven Curtis Chapman, Nicole C. Mullen, Matthew West and others, The Tennessee Star reported Tuesday. The service at 8:30 a.m. CST Saturday was scheduled for the Ryman Auditorium, but due to overwhelming demand, it has been moved to the Grand Ole Opry House, the governor-elect said on Facebook. The worship service made the atheist organization upset. According to a press release, FFRF sent the governor-elect a letter asking him to “honor the U.S. Constitution, and all the Tennessee citizens he is soon to represent in office, by refraining from including religion in his swearing-in event. Additionally, FFRF has submitted a public records request for information pertaining to the worship service.” A copy of the letter is available here. FFRF Staff Attorney Ryan Jayne said in the letter addressed to Lee, “This defiance of the U.S. Constitution is a disappointing way to start your time as governor of Tennessee. As you take your oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution, FFRF urges you to reflect…
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Bill Lee’s gubernatorial inauguration Saturday will include some leading Contemporary Christian musicians, including his old friend Michael W. Smith. The 2019 Inaugural Worship Service will feature Michael W. Smith, CeCe Winans, Steven Curtis Chapman, Nicole C. Mullen, Matthew West and others, the governor-elect’s team said on his transition website. The service will be held at Ryman Auditorium Saturday at 8:30 a.m. CST. Tickets for the worship service are required and free to the public here based on seating availability. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and be seated for the start of the worship service. Smith, who has won more than 45 Dove awards and three Grammy awards, said in a statement, “Bill and I have been friends for decades. His dedication to his Creator, his family, our community and now our state is unmatched. Starting the day of his inauguration in prayer and worship is a sincere and honest reflection of the type people Bill and Maria are. They will be outstanding servant-leaders for the great State of Tennessee.” Following the worship service, Lee will take the oath of office to become the 50th Tennessee governor at a ceremony convening on Legislative Plaza at 11 a.m. CST. The oath will…
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Governor-elect Bill Lee has announced his inauguration schedule. “We have announced the details for the events leading up to the inauguration on January 19th,” Lee’s team said on Facebook. The list of events and other information is available here on a website titled “Believe in Tennessee.” The celebration starts at 8 p.m. CST Friday, Jan. 18 with “Boots on Broadway: Music & More” at Acme Feed & Seed. Tickets are required for some events and may be purchased from a page here that lists the events. Some events do not require tickets but organizers suggest an RSVP for them. “Maria and I are honored to serve Tennessee and we are excited to gather with folks from across the state for the inaugural,” Lee said in a statement. “We’ve visited all 95 counties twice, and we know that Tennesseans care deeply about our state. We live in a remarkable state, with remarkable people, and I believe that as good a place as Tennessee is, we can be even better, and we can lead the nation.” The Inaugural Ceremony will be at 11 a.m. CST Saturday, Jan. 19 at Legislative Plaza. No tickets are required. Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey S.…
Read the full storyWhile President Donald Trump’s television viewership numbers from Inauguration Day rank him fifth among the presidents, his Facebook numbers easily put him on top. On Inauguration Day, some “60 million people on Facebook in the U.S. generated 208 million likes, posts, comments and shares related to the presidential inauguration,” Andy Stone, a policy communications representative for…
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