I have much to say about my time in Washington, DC for the 59th Presidential Inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, but photos often speak louder than words and I want to share some photos with you from the last two days.
59th Presidential Inauguration Photos
Spoiler alert: I was not able to see it in-person. But I also did not expect to, so there was only limited disappointment. This photo essay captures how the District of Columbia looked during this historic 2021 inauguration.
Tomorrow, I will offer written commentary and more photos from my time here. But let me say here how thankful I am not as Democrat or Republican, but as an American today. Our Republic was challenged yet again and prevailed.
The pomp and circumstance and bipartisanship on display was a sight to behold, even though it was not in-person this year. The recitation of the oath of office, swearing to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States is about far more than a man. On this day, let us celebrate another smooth transition of power. Let us pray that we will continue to work toward the goal of becoming a more perfect Union.
Sooo … all those soldiers, national guardsmen and secret service folk actually let you photograph them? Color me mildly surprised if you were not harassed by them over it, Matthew!
Still, it’s a nice photo essay. I like the way in which you start it off … (People often seem amazed when I tell them the kinds of details one can see from an airplane. People need to start watching and paying attention. ;)). Thanks!
@ Matthew — Thanks for the Willard pic! Sad we couldn’t attend due to COVID, but I still think traveling is not worth the risk. We’ve waited patiently for 10 months; we can wait 3 more.
Love the Willard!
So where did you watch the inauguration? In your hotel room?
The Willard. I’ll have details on that tomorrow.
Great report Matthew! Time to put this dark cloud of the past few years behind us. 46 will lead us forward.
Great Pictures from the Northwest! Especially outside the service at St Matthews and The Willard Lobby 😉
To see pictures around Capitol Hill Neighborhood & Union Station east of the Capitol, friend me on Facebook 😉
Will do! Can’t wait to see your pictures.
Very happy at the peaceful transition.
See? When white Republican males are caged, neutered and muzzled they do start behaving like humans.
“Fuck White Jesus” sign was a great addition to the inauguration. As a white Roman Catholic himself, it would be interesting to see Biden’s opinion about people that write and carry those signs.
Jesus wasn’t white.
And probably would have been a reluctant religious symbol, turned into one by people centuries later that needed some symbol to rally around.
Yes, he was Native American. I forgot you met met him when he was born. You were one of the 3 kings.
You can continue to think he was white if that comforts you.
He is a symbol that people can change to anything to have their spiritual needs met. He/it might be a cat for me.
Religion must be only way off life where people gladly accept rigidity of thought and inflexibility just so they can have a tribe to identify with that embrace the same rigidity.
That is exactly my point. You said “He is a symbol that people can change to anything to have their spiritual needs met. He/it might be a cat for me.” I have no right to have a sign saying “Fuck cat Jesus” just because for me he is white. I should respect the way you see your Jesus. That is why this country is so f….ed up, because if you don’t like my Jesus I have to hate yours. That is why that sign is inappropriate. Jesus might be white for Biden. Who knows? People lost their respect for people and for their opinions.
Historical Jesus of Nazareth was a typical Jewish Semite of the region at the time. Most such people at the time looked more like a present-day Yemeni Arab than like an Israeli PM Netanyahu or the Jesus representations encountered in the homelands of most major, international Christian church organizations that are found in the Americas and Europe.
Jesus was probably a black-haired, brown-eyed, brown-skinned guy whose hair was sort of curly.
You do realise Jesus (the historical figure, I won’t go into the religious aspects of his life & legacy) was born in what today is the Middle East. How likely do you think it is that he was of caucasian ethnicity?
Actually, the punctuation of that sign is pretty hilarious … and alters the meaning from what I believe was intended. What is actually written on the sign implies to me that someone was caught by White Jesus quite by surprise and is either none too pleased or frightened by the prospect. 🙂
Make grammar great again. 😀
On a more serious note, I do think we are seeing an impoverishment of language when it’s so common to protest using vulgarities that wouldn’t be commonly accepted in the communication of young minors with their own parents and grandparents.
@GUWonder: could not agree more. People lost respect and lack education.
And none more so than your orange skinned ex president
Our Republic was challenged yet again and prevailed.
– I object. Trump may be out but Trumpism is here to stay.
He will cleave the Republican party in half – the populists who ignore reality and believe a charlatan, and then the classic Republicans who believe in truth & order but are a diminishing lot these days.
Will be a joy to see the infighting! Two disastrous elections in a row should teach them something…but I doubt it.
To be fair, Trump is what the Republicans would have thrown up on their own in any case. From the 1970s onwards they have constantly been pushing an anti media agenda, and have shown an increasing willingness to do whatever is required to keep their political seats safe. Trump just sped the process up
Very interesting to get some “behind the scenes” impressions from this very important day and I‘m looking forward to your written article! Danke! Greetings from FRA, Hendrik
How are things in FRA Hendrik? I miss it so much.
Cool photos! Enjoyed!
Very interesting to see. I wonder if Pennsylvania Avenue between the Capitol and White House was blocked to pedestrian traffic?
This shows how the government is scared as a mouse. For TV purposes, it was good to have it in DC but for practical purposes, it would have been better if it were in a well controlled area, like Joint Base Andrews or Fort Belvoir. But President Biden got his military parade, albeit troops lounging, not marching. A military presence was something Trump wanted but never got.
The BLM protesters are really offensive. What’s with this “Fuck White Jesus”? Why would someone want to anally rape the Son of God? Terrible.
Pedestrians had ways to walk from pretty close to Capitol Hill today to McPherson Square and then on to Foggy Bottom and Georgetown.
No alcohol because your within 2,000 miles from your wife?
?
LOL
Nice photo essay. I’ve watched every Inauguration starting with Bush 41; no matter who is being inaugurated; as well as every send off at JBA. And I got to participate as a volunteer public safety official at the 1st Clinton Inauguration, ending with a standby at the ball at the National Building Museum. That said, I am local to WDC, and even after 48 states and 49 countries, WDC is my favorite city in the world and I stay at the Willard one weekend a year. I am looking forward to the city returning to a normalcy.
MY Vice President is an Intellegent/Black/Asian/Woman with a Real Man as her life partner. Glad you were there Matthew, I had to work.
yeah, I realized I spelled intelligent wrong.
Why is he a Real Man?
Because he’s secure enough in his masculinity to support a strong woman.
Not so secure. He makes a few million a year while a Senator makes roughly $200k. He’s still the one with the pants. Of course, now his wife is VP so she could conceivable call in the Secret Service to beat him up if she’s mad.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/technology/proud-boys-trump.html
This is a group looking for a fight. I am sure there are Republicans looking for a group easy to control by giving them cover for their acts. Trump for whatever reason refused to be that person. The DOJ really needs to get its head out of its ass. This group will only grow more emboldened in the future. Biden is a fool if he only wants to look forward. Many of his policies are likely to piss this group even more. Don’t bloody implement without creating an environment for them to be successful.
* implement policies
Absolutelly thrilled by this awesome event. Looking forward to a better, bigger, prosperous America. One Nation, Under God!
Great to see pictures of the Cathedral named after your patron Saint Matthew – the civil servant that he was.
The District holds fond memories for me from graduate school and working for Eastern Airlines to pay my tuition.
Lots has changed since then!
Yesterday was a powerful step in the right direction towards unity, justice and peace
Thank you
SO Portland and seattle on fire thanks to Antifa and nothing being done to stop or arrest the rioters/looters…that is the problem not the GOP and Trump
Things are being done in Seattle when protesters cause property damage. I don’t think “Seattle is on fire” either, my office is open, it’s a normal business day. Was the looting last night? Where was it?
@Dee I’ve determined you’re a Russian bot…too stupid and repetitive to be a real poster
You are a talented photographer.
Thank you.