Editor’s Note: West Virginia Daily News Reporter Matthew Young had the opportunity to stop in Washington, D.C. for the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States. What follows are his observations.
Philadelphia’s 30th Street Train Station was uncharacteristically deserted this morning. While the COVID-19 pandemic has sucked some of the vibrancy from this normally bustling transportation center, today’s levels of activity were below even the newest-definition of normal. Today is Wednesday, Jan. 20, and it is Inauguration Day in America.
Security today, as was to be expected, was much higher than on any other day in recent memory. Public safety officials, law enforcement officers and police dogs occupied every corner of the station; riot gear and protective equipment poorly concealed beneath their bulky parkas.
The train ride itself was also a peculiar abnormality. While passengers on most cars were well spaced, the two cars reserved specifically for those traveling to Washington D.C. were packed much tighter. However, despite the uncomfortably close quarters, the ride, for the most part, was rather subdued. It is ironic how something that was a basic expectation prior to January 6 has suddenly become a welcomed-surprise.
The only notable exception to the peacefulness of the trip was one man who identified himself only as “Mel.”
Mel was a supporter of the riots that took place in Washington on Jan. 6. Although he was not there himself, he believed the attempted insurrection was necessary if America is to survive.
“It’s about time somebody stood up to the (expletive) politicians,” Mel said. “They’re screwing us, and now they’re using our own soldiers to overthrow our president!”
Mel went on to say, “But you won’t even report that. You won’t tell people the truth. You’ll probably write how peaceful everything was.”
Other travelers were less apprehensive of the government’s possibly devious intentions. A young Quaker couple, traveling from Lancaster, Pa., were hoping to witness the inauguration. However, they were rather disheartened after learning of all the restrictions imposed upon the city due to the combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and the riots of Jan. 6.
As the train pulled into Wilmington, Delaware, it was very much the same; the only real difference being that even fewer people boarded here than in Philadelphia. This came as something of a surprise, as Joe Biden, the soon-to-be inaugurated President of the United States, had made this town his home for many years.
Baltimore, Maryland revealed more of the some. However, the already intense levels of security seemed to grow even tighter the further south the train traveled. Next stop: Union Station, Washington D.C.
Here was where the action was. Or, more accurately, the lack of action. On this day, inauguration day, our nation’s capital more closely resembled something out of a post-apocalyptic disaster movie than the seat of the American government.
Departing the train was an uncomfortable experience. Amtrak Police in full tactical-attire lined the platform as the train came to a stop.
“Is this your final destination?” one officer asked, before quickly ushering me up the stairs onto the main concourse.
Union Station was even more deserted than 30th Street Station had been, with most of the tourist shops and restaurants all closed for the day. Large areas of the terminal had been sectioned-off with rope lines and metal bicycle racks.
The city itself was fully locked-down, with all monuments and historical-sights closed to the public. All of the barricades and temporary fencing scattered about left Washington D.C. resembling what one might envision Guantanamo Bay looks like. The great National Mall, where some 250,000 people once gathered to hear Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak about his “dream,” sat quietly; now covered with flags and spotlights instead of American citizens. Just beyond the Mall sat the Capitol Building, where the next President of the United States, as so many have throughout our country’s history, would soon be sworn into office. All that was visible of these iconic treasured landmarks were angled glimpses from far away, with sight-lines blocked by hundreds and hundreds of National Guard troops.
Although troops were not allowed to disclose their names or speak officially on behalf of the military, one young man told me that this was his first time in the nation’s capital. He was 24-years-old, from New Jersey and had been a member of the National Guard for almost five years.
“I was pretty excited to come,” he said. “Kinda sucks it’s like this, though.”
He told me that most people had been polite, respectful and shown appreciation to the military men and women in D.C. that day. However, there had also been several horrible comments hurled in their direction.
Shortly before noon, now President Joseph R. Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States in what will undoubtedly be remembered as the most surreal swearing-in ceremony in American history. This was Inauguration Day 2021, a day unlike any other. And, God willing, with politics aside and for the sake of our nation, a day the likes of which will never be repeated.
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