Donald Trump‘s second inauguration, set to take place on January 20, 2025, is shaping up to be less contentious than his first in 2017, with expectations of fewer protests and a reduced number of Democratic boycotts. This change reflects a significant shift in political dynamics since Trump’s last swearing-in ceremony.
In 2017, Trump’s inauguration was marked by widespread protests. The streets of Washington, D.C., saw riots and global counter protests, with the Women’s March drawing millions, which was estimated to be the largest single-day protest in U.S. history. This time, however, the protests are expected to be a fraction of that size. The “People’s March,” organized for the weekend before the inauguration, is anticipated to have a much smaller turnout, with only around 50,000 people expected compared to the 470,000 at the 2017 Women’s March.
Democratic lawmakers, who were once vocal in their opposition to Trump, are now showing a different approach. Several members of Congress who boycotted Trump’s first inauguration have indicated they feel compelled to attend this time. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), who boycotted in 2017, articulated the change in perspective, saying, “It’s different now. … Whether we like it or not, this guy was just elected by the country with full disclosure of all of his ugliness.” Huffman’s attendance, along with others like him, signals a move towards attending the ceremony as a form of political engagement rather than abstaining in protest.
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), who was part of the House in 2017 and boycotted the inauguration then, also plans to attend this year, emphasizing, “The electorate sent a very clear message in this last cycle that they want an opportunity for Democrats and Republicans to work together.” His decision to participate reflects a broader sentiment among Democrats for cooperation in light of Trump’s victory in both the popular vote and the electoral college in 2024.
Trump’s favorability has reached an all-time high, with his net positivity in polls meaning more approve of him than disapprove, a first since his political career began. Even some Democratic polls show a plurality of Americans expecting improvement in the economy and immigration under Trump’s watch. This increased acceptance or resignation to a second Trump term has led to a quieter resistance from the left, with fewer Democratic lawmakers planning to be absent from the inauguration.
The event also coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which might influence the nature and tone of any protests, with some groups planning to honor King while also protesting Trump. However, the scale of these demonstrations won’t match the fervor seen eight years ago. The National Action Network, led by Rev. Al Sharpton, is organizing an MLK Day demonstration, but the numbers are expected to be modest.
Despite the anticipated calm, security measures remain stringent given the history of protests and the symbolic significance of the Capitol, where the ceremony will take place. The U.S. Capitol Police and other law enforcement agencies are prepared for any potential disruptions, though the general expectation is for a more subdued event.
This evolution in response to Trump’s inauguration underscores a broader political landscape where the intensity of opposition has cooled, possibly due to a combination of political fatigue, Trump’s more recent acceptance by some demographics, and a strategic shift among Democrats towards engagement rather than outright opposition. However, this does not mean that all resistance has vanished; instead, it has taken on a different, perhaps less visible, form.