WASHINGTON, D.C. – Amid bitter refusal from the far left to acknowledge his presidency, Donald Trump drew praise Friday from a wide range of individuals across America, from citizens attending his inauguration to activists and lawmakers.
“This day is really important both for me personally and for the country,” a woman from Alabama told WND in Washington in the hours before the inauguration.
She said she’s a supporter of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, and is positioned to have influence in the Trump administration.
A 7-year-old girl from Kansas added, “I wanted to witness a once-in-a-lifetime event and see our next president.”
And a 15-year-old said she was in Washington to support Ivanka Trump, the president-elect’s influential daughter, because she is Jewish.
“I think she is a wonderful role model,” the teen said.
Another woman told WND: “We were Perot supporters and we’ve been hearing that giant sucking sound of jobs leaving the country for too long. Maybe that will finally change.”
Watch Trump meet Obama at White House ahead of inauguration:
[jwplayer wGDqAjQB]
A report this week found the departing President Obama has created additional debt during his presidency amounting to $75,000 for every working American.
The statements in support of Trump were made in defiance of boycotts of the ceremonies, of protesters who ranted “Screw our president” and set fires and of other violent protesters unable to accept a Trump presidency.
The leaders of organizations concerned with a wide range of issues joined in.
“We are pleased to see pro-life President Donald Trump and Vice President Pence sworn in today and look forward to immediately working together to advance protections for unborn children and their mothers,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List organization.
“The difference between this administration and its predecessor could not be more clear. President Trump continually surrounds himself with key advisers and personnel who share his commitment to protecting the lives of the vulnerable, as well as pro-life taxpayers. We have been impressed by the skill and experience of the team he has put in place during the transition. Together, we will advance a culture of life by fulfilling the pro-life commitments made during the campaign,” she said.
“With pro-life President Trump and a pro-life Congress, we have an historic opportunity to advance policy that will save lives.”
She noted Trump has promised to nominate to the U.S. Supreme Court pro-life justices and to defund the abortion industry giant Planned Parenthood.
“This is a day of hope for the pro-life movement, which has fought so tenaciously to protect unborn children and their mothers in every political climate,” continued Dannenfelser. “This election cycle, thousands of grassroots pro-lifers came together in an unprecedented effort to defeat abortion extremists and change the course of our nation. SBA List’s outreach to 1.6 million low propensity pro-life voters and persuadable Democratic and Hispanic voters in crucial battleground states sealed victory for Donald Trump and ensured pro-life majorities in both houses of Congress.”
From another interest group, the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, came praise for Trump’s plans for infrastructure advancements.
CEO Patrick D. Jones said his group and others in the industry “are ready to work with President Trump and his new administration … and members of Congress, to find ways to realize the president’s campaign promise to rebuild America’s crumbling roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure over the next decade.”
He said, “We will do our part to meet our country’s surface transportation infrastructure needs.”
Others were less into talking and more about action.
A group called Bikers for Trump roared into the D.C. area, gathering in Woodbridge, Virginia, before moving into the nation’s capital.
They stopped at Arlington National Cemetery to honor service members and to express their message of unity.
John Caycelo of Dumfries, Virginia, told NBC News, “That’s what our country needs right now.”
The bikers said those who are protesting against Trump’s administration need have no concern, as long as they’re peaceful.
Activists also were enthused.
“A new day has dawned. Today, we are excited about the future. Thank God we have a second chance to return America to its fundamental Judeo-Christian values,” said Mat Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel, which has fought the Obama administration over a wide range of actions.
“What a joyous sight to see Obama leaving the Oval Office for the last time. He has done so much damage to America, to Israel, and to the world that once looked to America as a beacon of hope and strength. We welcome Donald J. Trump at the 45th president of the United States and look forward to the future,” said Staver.
“I have no illusion that the future will be easy. Radical groups, including the mainstream media, will do everything in their power to lie and disrupt. We must stand strong against the hatred and the lies,” he said.
Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Ind., sees better days ahead.
“After eight years of enduring a president who actually divided America, I am looking forward to working with a leader who can unify the country by reminding us of our American exceptionalism and helping us reclaim our rightful place in the world,” he said.
“I look forward to finally having partners in Donald Trump and Mike Pence to help me rein in the federal government so that Americans can build better lives for themselves and their families.”
