Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wasn’t impressed by how President Donald Trump’s inauguration played out. In fact, he sees some troubling signs in the way it unfolded—and what that might mean for the next four years of our government.
Trump’s inauguration was meant to be a grand spectacle, but Mother Nature had other plans. The weather in Washington, D.C. was so harsh and freezing that even raising the flags to full height became a challenge.
Blumenthal had hoped for a speech that would unite the country. Instead, he felt like it was filled with complaints and boastfulness, further fueling political and cultural divides. He shared his thoughts on X (formerly known as Twitter), saying: “I was hoping for a unifying message—something to heal our divisions. But instead, the speech was full of grievance and grandiosity.”
What really caught Blumenthal’s attention, though, was the way the inauguration looked. The platform was crowded with Big Tech billionaires, who were positioned above Supreme Court Justices and ahead of key Cabinet members. Meanwhile, governors—even Republican ones—were placed in a separate room. Blumenthal called it “a picture of a government for sale.”
There was more to it than just the ceremony. Blumenthal also noted that some tech billionaires who had previously been critical of Trump were now cozying up to him, donating generously to his inaugural fund. This move stirred up criticism from all sides, even from Trump’s supporters.
“I wish the President well, because his success will be America’s success,” Blumenthal said. “But if I have to fight to protect Connecticut and our country, I will.”
What truly alarmed Blumenthal, however, was Trump’s stance on pardoning those involved in the violent January 6th Capitol riot. During his speech, Trump hinted at pardoning the rioters who stormed the Capitol, injuring police officers and wreaking havoc.
Blumenthal didn’t hold back: “Pardoning these cop killers would be sickening,” he said. “And punishing those who investigated the insurrection? Equally repugnant.”
While no police officers died directly from the January 6th attack, the aftermath was devastating. Around 150 officers were injured, and sadly, one officer died from a stroke, while two others took their own lives in the days that followed.
Blumenthal’s message is clear: Trump’s inauguration wasn’t just a ceremony—it was a sign of the divisive, dangerous path ahead.
