‘Chaos candidate’ takes office: cheers, jeers, fiery protest for Trump on Day 1
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s promise to disrupt Washington came to pass on Day 1 of his presidency Friday — fiery protests, clashes with police and a stridently nationalist speech that elicited cheers from a sea of red ballcap-clad admirers.
During the primary fight, one rival called him the “chaos candidate” — an apt description of his first hours in office which showcased the bitter politics of the country he now leads.
As Hillary Clinton, his vanquished election opponent, arrived on the National Mall, his supporters chanted, “Lock Her Up!” and booed. Others in the crowd urged people to pipe down: “That’s so rude,” said one. Added another, “At least she came.”
Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer’s message of national unity was drowned out by jeers that reached a crescendo as he read a letter home from a soldier killed during the Civil War.