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Trumps travel in a limousine to lead an inaugural parade to the White House.
Trumps travel in a limousine to lead an inaugural parade to the White House.

Trump Inauguration Live Blog

Final Synopsis

-- Seventy-year-old Donald J. Trump, a Republican, has been sworn in as the United States' 45th president, along with Vice President Mike Pence.

-- In his inaugural speech, Trump vowed that America will "not seek to impose our way of life on anyone but rather let it shine as an example for everyone to follow." He also pledged that "a new vision will govern our land: From this day forward, it's going to be only America First." Trump also promised: "We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones – and unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the Earth."

-- Trump also decried an "establishment" that "protected itself, but not the citizens of our country," and he said, "That all changes -- starting right here, and right now, because this moment is your moment: it belongs to you."

-- World leaders have been congratulating President Trump on his January 20 inauguration, expressing a desire to work with his administration while some Western leaders have been urging continued U.S. cooperation on mutual security.

-- Trump and the new first lady rode a limousine that inched to the White House in the midst of a ceremonial parade, red and blue lights flashing as security agents walked slowly beside the vehicle and onlookers watched from the sidewalks.

-- Security was tight as thousands of people protested in Washington. Police said 95 protesters were arrested. Police had used pepper spray and stun grenades to push back demonstrators. Police said protesters damaged vehicles, destroyed property and set small fires.

-- Trump's administration said that defeating Islamic State "and other radical Islamic terror groups" will be the highest priority of an "America first" foreign policy centered on "peace through strength."

* NOTE: Times are stated according to local time in Washington DC (GMT/UTC -5)

A record number of prayers will be offered by clergy at the swearing-in ceremony later today, according to a number of sources.

Here's The New York Times:

He will have six clergy members offering prayers and reading Scripture at the ceremony — more than any previous president. The former record-holder, Richard Nixon, had five in 1969. Most presidents invited one or two.

The six are intended to present a diverse tableau, the Inaugural committee’s president said in announcing the lineup. The group includes:

■ A Catholic, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, the archbishop of New York.

■ A Hispanic evangelical, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference.

■ A woman, Pastor Paula White, of New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, Fla.

■ A Jew, Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean and founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, in Los Angeles, which teaches about the Holocaust, anti-Semitism and prejudice.

■ A white evangelical, the Rev. Franklin Graham, son and successor of the evangelist Billy Graham.

■ An African-American, Bishop Wayne T. Jackson of Great Faith Ministries, in Detroit.

But religious observers noted that Mr. Trump’s version of religious diversity extends only so far: The group includes no mainline Protestants (such as Presbyterians, the denomination Mr. Trump claims as his own) and no Muslims.

Ms. White will be the first woman clergy member ever to participate in an inauguration.

U.S. President-elect Trump and his wife, Melania, as seen earlier departing Blair House for the prayer service about two blocks away.
U.S. President-elect Trump and his wife, Melania, as seen earlier departing Blair House for the prayer service about two blocks away.

While we're not generally in the habit of linking to TMZ, the entertainment and scandal site has a light look at the hometown in Slovenia of the incoming first lady, Melania Trump. She will become only the second foreign-born presidential wife in U.S. history, after sixth U.S. President John Quincy Adams' wife, London-born Louisa Catherine.

The sun rises over Washington this morning ahead of the Trump inauguration.
The sun rises over Washington this morning ahead of the Trump inauguration.

The Trumps' motorcade has pulled up in front of St. John's church and Trump is on his way in, accompanied by Melania Trump.

MSNBC has been quoted as saying that Vice President-elect Mike Pence has arrived at St. John's church.

The Trumps will be heading to the prayer service from Blair House, the presidential guest residence across the street from the White House, where president-elects traditionally spend the night ahead of their inauguration.

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