By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The cold temperatures did not deter supporters of the 47th President of the United States from getting a chance to witness history.
Thousands lined up at Capital One Arena, as early as midnight and 1:00 Monday morning to have front row seats to today’s events inside the arena.
“I’m very happy and very excited,” said one supporter. “Ecstatic is an understatement,” said another.
“It’s just good to be with family to witness such a great event,” said Steven Reese, who traveled with his family from Harrisburg, PA.
“This is like history, it’s crazy,” said another Trump supporter from Brooklyn, NY.
The thousands of supporters filled multiple city blocks. Attendees from Washington state, Southern California, New York City, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan and everywhere in between were still excited to witness the historic day, despite the last-minute shift to an indoor inauguration.
Despite frigid temperatures, some attendees waited as long as eight hours for a chance to get inside the arena, which hosted a live stream of the inaugural ceremony and other indoor inaugural events.
“This is a culminating moment. This is it. I mean, so I had to be here,” said Kyle Jacobs, a supporter from Ridgway, PA. “It’s divine. There’s something spiritual about this movement that you can’t really comprehend.”
Attendees said they were determined to see Trump in person after being sworn in. Some also expressed excitement about watching Trump potentially sign executive orders live inside the arena.
“One thing would be just seeing the executive orders because we really need to get back on track with our country,” said Deborah Moore, a supporter from the Lower Peninsula of Michigan.
Unlike the weather, Moore said the environment outside Capital One Arena has been warm and welcoming.
“Meeting all the different people supporting the new presidency and coming from all over. And I mean, we’ve met people from all over, all ages, all different backgrounds,” said Moore.
“It was worth it. We’ve been praying for him all along. And I really didn’t have any doubt that he was going to get back in again,” said Rebecca Gates, who made the trip from Plattsburgh, NY. “I think that God has had his hand on President Trump for sure. He’s spared his life several times.”
It’s a full-circle moment for supporters who recall the Butler, PA assassination attempt well.
“Sure was, right behind Trump,” said Katie Fuhrman when asked if she attended Trump’s rally on July 13.
Not only did Fuhrman witness the tragedy, but she also lost a dear friend, Corey Comperatore, the volunteer firefighter who was killed at the rally.
“Our little community was rocked by three tragedies in a row,” said Fuhrman. “That was terrifying. And we’re just blessed we’re alive. We lost a friend and our other friend is here now, which is great.”
“We’re just happy. We’re so happy that Trump is in and that we get to be here,” said Fuhrman.
