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Trump sworn in, vows to put America first
Those who attend have differing views on new president
CKenney-0203
Trump supporters drape themselves in flags as they leave the National Mall in Washington, D.C. at the end of the inauguration of President Donald Trump - photo by Cailtin Kenney

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Standing before the nation on the Capitol’s steps, in front of his family, former presidents, and elected officials, Donald Trump took the presidential oath of office Friday at noon, becoming the 45th president of the United States.

Rain started to sprinkle on the crowd from the gray sky above as the new president began his inaugural address.

Trump talked about returning the country to the people and putting America first in all things.

"Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families," he said.

Some of those Americans attended the 58th inauguration on the National Mall to show support to their new president or to let their voice be heard on matters that concerned them about his policy proposals.

Carly Caughlan of Houston, Texas came to the inauguration with her two children so that they could be part of the experience.

Caughlan voted for Trump and said that safety had been one of her biggest reasons.

"I’m very concerned about safety. I don’t want to fear going to the baseball game or fear… Just safety is my big concern with them," she said, looking at one of her children.

The terrorist group ISIS and Syrians refugees were among some of her safety concerns.

Just a short walk away from Caughlan along the Mall was Sarmad Bhatti from Centreville, Virginia with Muslims for Peace, passing out leaflets that read "Muslims for loyalty."

Bhatti wanted to be at the inauguration in order help people understand what Islam is.

"We want to tell people that, hey look, we’re real Muslims, we love our country and we just want to clear up any misconceptions about anything, any stereotypes, or anything of that kind of nature," he said.

Farther up the Mall and standing with a small group who held anti-Trump signs, Amy Contreras of San Antonio, Texas said she came to protest the new president and his agenda. She said she was particularly upset about Trump’s nominations of Betsy DeVos and Rick Perry for cabinet positions.

Contreras said that there had been a lot of support for her sign at the inauguration and that "everyone is being respectful on both sides, so I think like (former President Barack) Obama said, the American people are pretty nice and hopefully we can have support in that."

Kara McLaughlin, 15, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania came to watch the inauguration with a student group called the Envision Experience.

"I feel like it’s important for teenagers and young people to know what’s going on, especially in government, because we’re going to be voting soon," she said about coming to the event.

Watching the ceremony from a screen on the Mall, Bob Leftwich from Culpeper, Virginia said the inauguration is "an awesome experience. I myself am a immigrant and I immigrated here in the late 80s and I just think it’s a phenomenal system. And I love it."

Over the next four years Leftwich said he wants "lower taxes, accountability with Congress." He added that "immigration is a big deal and we need to close our borders. And people need to do it the way that my parents had to do it and my family had to do it. It’s only fair."

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