Floridians watch inauguration, react to President Trump

Trump takes charge: Sworn in as nation's 45th president

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States Friday, Floridians who witnessed the inauguration were expecting great things.

Jerry Holland, Duval County's Property Appraiser, was attending his first inauguration.

"I felt humbled to see what our forefathers' always intended: a nation for the people run by the people," Holland said.

John Falconetti, former chairman of the Duval County Republican Party, and his wife, Shannon Miller, attended the Florida Sunshine ball Wednesday evening and plan to attend one of the official Inaugural Balls Friday night at the convention center in Washington.

"As President Trump stated in his speech, today was about the American people," Falconetti said. "Yet another peaceful transition of power as we look to the future."

Young people from northeast Florida also poured into Washington for the event. Some were volunteering; many were looking to add a historic experience to their college resume.

"As someone in college studying American history, I was fascinated to witness something so unlike anything we've ever seen before," said Richie Mullaney, a Jacksonville student attending Georgetown University. "Like his convention speech, the president's unique inaugural address was a repudiation not just of Democrats but of the entire Washington establishment."

Bradley Bean, of Fernandina Beach, traveled with eight current and former University of Florida students to see the inauguration.

"After hearing the speech, I feel confident that President Trump can and will deliver his promises to make America Great Again," Bean said. "It is a great day for our country and I was blessed to be a part of it."

In addition to Trump supporters who made the trip to Washington, about 340 soldiers and airmen from the Florida National Guard supported the inauguration this week. They led eight states' National Guard forces assisting local and federal civilian agencies in protecting communication systems from cyber threats.

"We are the eyes and ears of the U.S. Park Police and civil authorities that are out there," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Edson Kline, Joint Task Force Florida/Task Force Crowd Commander.

A total of 44 states sent National Guard resources to support inaugural events.


About the Author:

Kent Justice co-anchors News4Jax's 5 p.m., 10 and 11 p.m. newscasts weeknights and reports on government and politics. He also hosts "This Week in Jacksonville," Channel 4's hot topics and politics public affairs show each Sunday morning at 9 a.m.