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Obama’s awkward final act as President

ON Friday morning after attending church, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle will welcome their successors Donald Trump and wife Melania to the White House for morning tea.

The two couples will then travel in a motorcade to Capitol Hill for the inauguration, an intimate ride through Washington that is likely to be distinctly awkward considering the bad blood between the outgoing and incoming president.

With the President-elect vowing to undo as much of his predecessor’s legacy as he can on day one of his tenure, and Mr Obama working hard to convince voters of Mr Trump’s personal failings during the election campaign, it could be an excruciating journey.

The Trumps will have morning tea at the White House with the Obamas before Friday’s ceremony. Picture: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP
The Trumps will have morning tea at the White House with the Obamas before Friday’s ceremony. Picture: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/APSource:AP

 

 
Removalists, under the supervision of White House ushers, have already started moving the Obamas’ belongings into to their rented house in the Kalorama neighbourhood of Washington. Picture: Cliff Owen/AP
Removalists, under the supervision of White House ushers, have already started moving the Obamas’ belongings into to their rented house in the Kalorama neighbourhood of Washington. Picture: Cliff Owen/APSource:AP

EN ROUTE TO THE CAPITOL

It wouldn’t be the first time you could cut the tension with a knife during the traditional limo ride. Dwight Eisenhower made it clear he thought John F. Kennedy too young and inexperienced to take over the job in 1961, a fact that infuriated his wife Jackie. And Rosalynn Carter and Nancy Reagan did not exchange a word during the trip with their husbands Jimmy and Ronald.

Of course, if it gets too painful, the Trumps could always jump out. The Carters shocked the crowds by walking part of the parade route in 1977, which the Obamas did, too. George and Barbara Bush and Bill and Hillary Clinton chose to walk back to the White House after the ceremony.

But Mr Trump may have to judge whether he hops out of his armoured vehicle on the crowd — 100 different organisations are expected to line the route, protesting either for or against the new president. The streets are already filled with barricades and detours in preparation for the historic event, which will kick off at 9.30am Friday EST (1.30am Saturday AEDT).

Most of the area known as Freedom Plaza and the sidewalks in front of the Trump International Hotel are limited to VIP bleacher seating, but 70 per cent of the route is open to the public.

Around 28,000 security personnel will be posted around the city, from agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, US Capitol Police, US Park Police and local law enforcement, according to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson.

Security around the US Capitol is at its highest, with a new fence installed, barricades erected and more than 28,000 personnel due to attend inauguration week. Picture: Brendan Smialowski/AFP
Security around the US Capitol is at its highest, with a new fence installed, barricades erected and more than 28,000 personnel due to attend inauguration week. Picture: Brendan Smialowski/AFPSource:AFP

AMERICA’S MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE

Mr Trump has been predicting record crowds in Washington for Thursday’s inaugural welcome concert and Friday’s swearing-in ceremony, despite the fact there are still hotel rooms available in Washington.

His team is trying to make sure the city is bursting at the seams by posting adverts on Facebook and Twitter encouraging people to come. Christopher Geldart, the district’s director of homeland security, says officials expect a turnout of 800,000 to 900,000 people at the inauguration — a respectable number but only half the 1.8 million who attended Mr Obama’s first swearing-in.

Former presidents Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton will be there, as will Mr Trump’s election opponent Hillary Clinton.

Other attendees will include Supreme Court justices, diplomats, the public and members of Congress, although at least 50 Democratic members, including civil rights icon John Lewis, have said they are boycotting the ceremony. Mr Trump dismissed Lewis, who said he doesn’t consider the business mogul a “legitimate president” as “all talk”.

Trump transition spokesman Sean Spicer said the team “would love for every member of Congress to attend, but if they don’t, that’s some great seats that other folks can hopefully partake in.”

A designated survivor will be one of the few senior US politicians not to attend the inauguration. Usually a member of the United States Cabinet, this chosen successor will be at a secret, secure location to guarantee continuity of government in case a catastrophe should wipe out everyone at the event.

Mr Trump is hoping for a record turnout in Washington this week, but attendance is expected to be half the number who visited for Mr Obama’s first inauguration eight years ago. Picture: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP
Mr Trump is hoping for a record turnout in Washington this week, but attendance is expected to be half the number who visited for Mr Obama’s first inauguration eight years ago. Picture: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFPSource:AFP

 

Visitors gather beneath an American flag at Union Station ahead of Mr Trump’s inauguration as the 45th US president on Friday. Picture: Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP
Visitors gather beneath an American flag at Union Station ahead of Mr Trump’s inauguration as the 45th US president on Friday. Picture: Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFPSource:AFP

THE NIGHT BEFORE

Celebrities have queued up to reveal they turned down invitations to perform at Thursday evening’s “Make America Great Again! Welcome Ceremony” and Friday’s inauguration.

But 81-year-old Soul Man singer Sam Moore of duo Sam and Dave said he asked to appear on the eve of Mr Trump’s swearing-in after hearing singer Jennifer Holliday and other musicians had backed out after heavy criticism.

Thursday’s day-long concert at Lincoln Memorial will start at 10.30am EST with “Voices of the People”, which will include performances by the DC Fire Department Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, the Republican Hindu Coalition, high school marching bands, choirs and baton twirlers.

At 3.30pm EST, Mr Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence will take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in honour of the nation’s veterans and the incoming president will deliver remarks during the second act of the concert between 4pm and 6pm.

The “Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration”, headlined by country stars Toby Keith and Lee Greenwood, will be broadcast live nationally, and feature a fireworks finale.

Mr Trump is expected to spend Thursday night at Blair House, the presidential guest residence across the street from the White House.

Army Sgt. Maj. Greg Lowery, left, and Army Spc. Sara Corry, stand in for the President-elect and wife Melania Trump during a rehearsal of the swearing-in ceremony on Sunday. Picture: J. David Ake/AP
Army Sgt. Maj. Greg Lowery, left, and Army Spc. Sara Corry, stand in for the President-elect and wife Melania Trump during a rehearsal of the swearing-in ceremony on Sunday. Picture: J. David Ake/APSource:AP

 

The former reality star will swear on the Bible used by 16th US President Abraham Lincoln 156 years before, as well as on another given to him by his mother when he graduated from New York’s Sunday Church Primary School in 1955. Picture: Karen Bleier/AFP
The former reality star will swear on the Bible used by 16th US President Abraham Lincoln 156 years before, as well as on another given to him by his mother when he graduated from New York’s Sunday Church Primary School in 1955. Picture: Karen Bleier/AFPSource:AFP

POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE

Washington is already gearing up for Friday’s inauguration, with stand-ins for Mr and Mrs Trump attending rehearsal ceremonies. It may be the most expensive inauguration week in history thanks to inflation and a steep increase in donations, according to the New York Times. The final sum, which could top $265 million, will be split between private donors and taxpayers.

After musical acts at 9.30am on the west front of the Capitol, including 16-year-old soprano Jackie Evancho singing the national anthem, the proceedings start in earnest at 11.30am (3.30am Saturday AEDT).

After opening remarks, religious leaders will offer the invocation and readings and Mr Pence will be sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

At 12pm EST (4am Saturday AEDT), Mr Trump will recite the oath of office on president Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration Bible, as well as the Bible the new president’s mother gave to him at his Sunday school graduation in 1955. US chief justice John Roberts will administer the oath of office. America’s 45th president will then deliver his inaugural address.

The ceremony will end at 12.30pm EST (4.30am Saturday AEDT) and Mr Trump and Mr Pence will attend the Congressional Lunch in the Capitol.

The inaugural parade takes place between 3pm and 5pm (7am and 9am Saturday AEDT), when the new President and Vice President of the United States will travel 2.4 kilometres along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, past a high-end new hotel bearing the Trump name.

Mr Trump will be followed by 8000 people from US military branches, high school and university marching bands, equestrian corps, first responders, veteran groups and a tractor brigade.

He will be greeted at the White House’s South Portico by Chief Usher Reid, who will say: “Welcome to your new home, Mr. President.”

After freshening up, the Trumps and the Pences will appear at three official inaugural balls between 7pm to 9pm (11am to 1pm Saturday AEDT), two at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and a third at the National Building Museum. Other semi-official and unofficial balls will take place throughout the city.

All Mr Trump’s children — Ivanka, Donald Jr, Eric, Tiffany and Barron — will stay at the White House with the persident and his wife on Friday night, in accordance with tradition.

The outgoing president traditionally leaves a letter of advice for his successor. Picture: Evan Vucci/AP Photo
The outgoing president traditionally leaves a letter of advice for his successor. Picture: Evan Vucci/AP PhotoSource:AP

 

The Trumps and new Vice President Mike Pence and his wife will attend three inauguration balls on Friday night. Picture: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The Trumps and new Vice President Mike Pence and his wife will attend three inauguration balls on Friday night. Picture: Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

PRESIDENT OBAMA’S FINAL JOURNEY

The outgoing first family traditionally gathers the White House staff of around 100 people in the State Dining Room at around 8.30am to say goodbye. Staff typically present the family with a gift, with staff carpenters crafting a box to hold two American flags, the one flown over the White House on the day Mr Obama was inaugurated and the one flying on his last day in office.

It is also traditional for the departing president to leave a letter of advice for the new commander-in-chief, although whether Mr Obama will do so — and what the missive will say — we may never know.

The moment he and his family leave with the Trumps, staff will swing into action preparing the White House for the new First Family. They have just five hours from 10.30am to complete the “transfer of families”, boxing up the Obamas’ final items and welcoming the Trumps’ moving trucks at the South Portico.

Housekeepers will clean rugs, wash windows, “de-pet” and set room temperatures and humidity levels to the Trump family’s preferences, the Washington Post reports. Plumbers, carpenters and engineers will make repairs, electricians install light fixtures and internet and TV cables, curator’s staff hang artwork, florists arrange fresh bouquets around the house and painters make touchups. New mattresses, bed linen and shower heads will be brought in and the bathroom and kitchen stocked with Trump’s favourite shampoo, toothpaste, snacks and drinks. The cinema will be stocked with new movies and the bowling alley with shoes.

Any major construction, wallpapering and adding of new furniture will wait for the new President to make his selection from the White House’s valuable collection.

The Oval Office will feature Mr Trump’s chosen photos, furniture, draperies and artwork. He has said he will reinstate a bust of Winston Churchill that Mr Obama replaced with one of Martin Luther King. A National Archives and Records Administration crew will sweep through all offices to collect any remaining documents and place gifts from foreign leaders on display.

After the swearing-in ceremony, a military aide with a briefcase holding the US nuclear launch codes will stop trailing Mr Obama and leave the Capitol in Trump’s entourage.

The Obamas will lift off from the Capitol grounds one last time in the presidential helicopter, heading for Joint Base Andrews.

There, the outgoing president and his family will board a presidential aircraft for a final journey on the plane to Palm Springs, California, for a holiday. The aircraft will no longer carry the designation Air Force One.

Protests against the new president have already started in Washington, with a women’s march on Saturday expected to draw a large crowd. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP
Protests against the new president have already started in Washington, with a women’s march on Saturday expected to draw a large crowd. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFPSource:AFP

THE MORNING AFTER

On Saturday morning at 10am (2am Sunday AEDT), the new President and Vice President will attend the interfaith National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral.

This is also the very hour at which the Women’s March will start at the corner of Independence Avenue and Third Street S.W. The rally is set to bring a huge crowd of protesters to Washington, after a Facebook post went viral, with organisers predicting a possible gathering of 200,000.

A string of high-profile artists who rebuffed the inauguration are due to attend, including Amy Schumer, America Ferrera, Julianne Moore and Jessica Chastain. Singer Harry Belefonte and feminist Gloria Steinem are honorary co-chairs of the event, and comedian Chelsea Handler is due to lead a march in Park City, Utah.

Hundreds of thousands are also expected at 370 satellite marches around the world.

Mr Trump could also use the weekend to issue executive actions (which Mr Obama did before the inauguration day balls) or to swear in some cabinet members.

But the new president has said he will wait until Monday to get down to business.

Source: News Corp Australia Network:

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