Americas

Home page

Americas

Washington prepares for Donald Trump's big moment

20 January 2017 01:28 (UTC +04:00)

Donald Trump has arrived in Washington -- and he's going to be here for at least four years, APA reports quoting BBC.

The reality of the moment, that the real estate mogul and reality show star will recite the oath of office Friday, is finally taking hold.

At noon Friday, the most divisive campaign in recent history -- and a similarly contentious transition period, marked by Trump's attacks on Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon, and dozens of House Democrats saying they'll boycott Trump's swearing-in over it -- reaches its end.

Trump's brash statements about ISIS, his cozy relationship with Russia and his criticism of NATO have the world bracing for a new type of American President.

But before all that, Republicans and Trump's still-growing staff are set for a celebration. Trump and Vice-President elect Mike Pence go through the ceremony at the Capitol at noon, followed by a parade up Pennsylvania Avenue -- and past Trump's new hotel -- to be followed by a weekend of balls and an anticipated flurry of new executive actions Monday.

The transition of power -- from a Democratic president to a Republican one -- has shut down much of Washington and left its thousands of political staffers in quiet anticipation.

At the same time, President Barack Obama's last boxes are being packed and his few remaining aides are preparing to move out as they enter their last moments hours of Obama's eight years in the White House.

Obama is spending the last full day of his presidency in the White House on Thursday, where staffers are saying their wistful goodbyes.

"After six years here, walking through these doors for the final time," White House deputy press secretary Eric Schultz tweeted.