On the eve of his second inauguration, President-elect Donald Trump returned to Arlington National Cemetery in a moment of solemn reflection and reverence. His visit marked a significant gesture, as it was the first time Trump had been back at the site since attending a wreath-laying ceremony in 2021 to honor the 13 U.S. service members killed during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The image of Trump standing before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, laying a wreath in honor of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, was a poignant reminder of the weight of the presidency and the responsibilities that await him as he steps back into the Oval Office.
AWAITING PRESIDENT TRUMP TO LAY WREATH AT TOMB OF UNKNOWN SOLDIER
As President Trump is meeting with Gold Star and Abbey Gate families, VP JD Vance and other dignitaries await. pic.twitter.com/90yuhF9wvI— Real America’s Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) January 19, 2025
Trump’s itinerary for the day balanced solemnity with energy. After leaving Arlington, the president-elect rallied with supporters at Capital One Arena, showcasing the kind of populist fervor that defined his first term and propelled his comeback to the White House.
Later in the evening, he was set to attend a candlelight dinner, a quieter and more traditional event to cap off the day’s activities. The symbolism of these events—the solemnity of Arlington, the enthusiasm of the rally, and the formality of the dinner—paints a picture of a leader returning to power with both gravity and momentum.
Trump’s return to Washington, D.C., has followed a mix of tradition and signature Trump flair. Staying at the Blair House, the official guest residence on Pennsylvania Avenue, Trump has adhered to the established norms for presidents-elect. However, tomorrow’s Inauguration Day promises to depart from tradition.
With frigid temperatures forcing the ceremony indoors, the usual parade down Pennsylvania Avenue has been canceled. Instead, plans are reportedly in place for Trump to sign a series of executive orders from a stage at Capital One Arena, bringing the theater of politics to an unprecedented level.
Among these orders, one in particular has captured attention: a temporary reprieve for the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok. Trump’s approach to the app has been a subject of controversy since his first term, as national security concerns over its Chinese ownership collided with the platform’s immense popularity. Trump announced on Truth Social that he would delay the ban to give TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, more time to sell the platform in compliance with new legislation.
“I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!” Trump wrote. The announcement struck a delicate balance between enforcing national security priorities and recognizing the app’s cultural and economic significance. It’s a calculated move that underscores Trump’s willingness to take a pragmatic approach, even when navigating contentious issues.