When Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 45th U.S. president on Friday in Washington, D.C., there will be a heavy contingent of support coming from the north.
Fullington Trailways has confirmed 83 buses from its fleet have been chartered to transport Pennsylvania supporters to the event, and U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Howard Township) said he has distributed nearly 200 tickets to the event through his offices in Titusville and Bellefonte.
“Pennsylvania will be represented very strongly at the inauguration,” Thompson told the Centre County Gazette on Jan. 18. “I’m looking forward to attending. I was lucky enough to be able to attend both of President Obama’s inaugurations, and now here in 2017, I get to be there again. I think my attendance is fulfilling my obligation of my oath of office.”
Thompson will be sitting in what he called “sweet seats,” on the platform behind the president-elect and vice president-elect. He will be attending with his wife, Penny.
“We are very honored and privileged to be a part of this,” said Thompson. “It’s truly a historic moment in the United States. It’s one of the only places in the world where there is a peaceful transfer of power of leaders.”
Thompson said that since the election on Nov. 8, his offices were flooded with calls seeking tickets for the event.
“I really wish we could have accommodated everyone who wanted tickets, but there just weren’t that many to go around,” he said. “My goal was to make the distribution as easy as possible for large groups that planned to attend. Pennsylvania will be represented well.”
Thompson said in addition to attending the inauguration, he and his wife will also attend several other related events, including the Agriculture and Military balls planned for Thursday and Friday evenings, Jan. 19 and 20.
“I don’t expect to be able to talk with Mr. Trump during the inauguration, but I’ll hopefully get to meet up with him at one of the other events,” said Thompson. “And if I do, I’m going to thank him, on behalf of Pennsylvania, and offer him words of support as he takes on this new role as the leader of our nation. I’m excited for him, and I’m excited for Vice President-Elect (Mike) Pence, as well.”
Joyce Haas, vice chair of the Pennsylvania Republican Party, will also attend the event. She said she attended George Bush’s inauguration in 1989, and she’s excited to return to support Trump.
“When I went to the event in Washington, D.C., in 1989, I stood far in the back under a tree,” she said. “But now I’m moving up. I’ll be closer and sitting in a chair this time.”
Haas said she fielded several calls and answered numerous emails from local residents seeking tickets to the event; however, she said tickets to the inauguration are quite scarce.
“I sure wish I could get everyone tickets that wanted them, but it’s just impossible,” she said. “Those tickets are very, very scarce. I feel pretty lucky to have one.”
Like Thompson, Haas will not only attend the inauguration, but also several of the balls and social events that surround the inaugural. She too believes she will be able to talk with Trump at some point during the weekend.
“I have actually met him about a dozen times,” she said. “The inauguration is very structured so I doubt I’ll be in contact with him there, but maybe I’ll get to shake his hand at the ball later that night, along with the other 25,000 people that will be there.”
She said if she does have the opportunity to speak with Trump, she will give him a message on behalf of all of Pennsylvania.
“Donald Trump is a very considerate and genuine individual, despite what the media says,” said Haas. “I’m really excited for the potential of what he can do for the entire country. I want to thank him for turning Pennsylvania into a red state, and encourage him to continue to work to make all of America a better place to live, work and raise children.”
Inauguration Day in the United States is Jan. 20 and the swearing-in, which will take place at noon, marks the beginning of a new term of a president of the United States. The date is set by the 20th Amendment to the Constitution.
The inauguration of the first president, George Washington, was held on April 30, 1789, in New York City. Inauguration Day was subsequently set for March 4, providing four months for electors to cast their ballots for president. In 1937, the 20th Amendment changed the date from March 4 to noon on Jan. 20, beginning with Franklin D. Roosevelt’s second term.
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