Politics & Government
Connolly: Trump's Inaugural Address 'Failed to Unify Country'
"President Trump offered a dark, dystopian, and defiant inaugural speech that begins a new presidency without aspiration or reconciliation."
Some Northern Virginia politicos weighed in Friday on President Donald J. Trump's inauguration on Twitter. Trump was sworn in Friday at about 12 noon as the nation's 45th president. Here's what they had to say:
Sen. Tim Kaine, who ran against the Trump ticket as Hillary Clinton's running mate, kept it cordial, stating: "The peaceful transfer of power remains one of the most powerful symbols of our great democracy. Congrats Pres. Trump & VP Pence. I wish them the best as they take on this monumental duty & hope they will be successful for all Americans. As I continue to advocate for the interests of Virginia in the Senate my motto remains: advance everywhere we can, defend everything we must."
Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-11th), who boycotted the ceremony, said Trump failed to unify the country:
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“A troubling inaugural address. President Trump offered a dark, dystopian, and defiant inaugural speech that begins a new presidency without aspiration or reconciliation. It failed to unify or reach out to the entire nation, and insists on Trump's view of patriotism and triumphalism. Its insistent nationalism can only encourage Moscow and disconcert our allies.”
Congressman Don Beyer (D-8th), who also declined to attend the ceremony, along with 65 or so other members of Congress, didn't directly address the speech but he did say in a message posted to Twitter that "I want the President to be successful in moving our country forward. But millions of Americans have followed this transition with fear I urge the President to reach out to them & leave the politics and rhetoric of fear behind. America is watching."
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Republican Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-10th) also did not directly comment on Trump's speech. Instead she said: "Celebrating freedom and the peaceful transfer of power today and praying for our country and all of our leaders."
Gov. Terry McAuliffe, also on Twitter, noted that he and his wife were visiting the "beautiful Chippokes Plantation State Park" on Friday.
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