Donald Trump becomes 47th U.S. president after inauguration

Thousands of people gathered in Washington, D.C., to observe President Donald Trump’s swearing-in to his first day in office.

WINK News anchor Claire Galt traveled north to witness the inauguration and speak with people from the Southwest Florida area about why they made the journey this Monday.

“We’re very excited to see Donald Trump and the next four years,” said Steven from Florida. “It’s going to be a great time.”

Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart spoke about what people can expect these next four years.

“He has a very aggressive agenda in mind. He’s told the American people what he wants to do, and he has a mandate, and so we have to deliver for the president on that agenda,” said Diaz-Balart. “Us being Congress, we have to deliver on Trump’s agenda, which is the agenda of the American people to strengthen our country, and it’s getting the economy going, secure the border, make our military the strongest the ever support our allies, confront our enemies, bring down inflation and get the economy going.”

“It’s a big agenda, but it’s doable, and it’s doable because we have President Trump in the White House,” said Diaz-Balart.

Galt also talked to Congressman Byron Donalds about the mass deportations.

“It’s going to start this afternoon,” Donalds said. “The directives have already gone out as far as I know. They’ve already gone out. You have many sheriff’s departments, like the ones in Southwest Florida who use a 287(g) program, so they have people already confined in local lockup. Those people are going to be the first to go. Criminals and illegal aliens, they’re going to be the first to go.”

He continued to say that the resources used to keep illegal immigrants in the U.S. system should feel some relief with the deportations.

“The truth is, we cannot keep people in our country illegally,” he continued. “They are overwhelming our services at the local level, overwhelming budgets at the local level, so we have to get that stuff out of there, and we are going to do it.”

A handful of watch parties happened in the Southwest Florida area, as WINK News spoke with John Luce, owner of Blue Heron Pizza Pub in Port Charlotte, who offered a handful of specials.

“I’m hoping to have a lot of people in, have a good time, and basically celebrate a new beginning. We’re a laid-back restaurant,” said Luce. “We like to host these things. It doesn’t matter really what party you’re affiliated with. I hope everybody is rooting for America.”

The pub at 992 Tamiami Trail, Suite F in Port Charlotte, will offer an all-day happy hour on draft beers, wine and cocktails.

In Collier County, Seed to Table will host an event from noon to 10 p.m., live-streaming the event while including live music from 3 to 9 p.m.

WINK News is live streaming the event, as well. A link can be found in this story: Stream Live: complete coverage of Donald Trump’s inauguration by CBS.