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Donald Trump inauguration: 'It all begins today' – live coverage Donald Trump inauguration: 'It all begins today' – live coverage
(35 minutes later)
2.33pm GMT
14:33
The Trumps have just left church and hopped in a car. Next stop: White House.
2.32pm GMT
14:32
Barack Obama has just left the Oval Office for the last time as president, presumably having left a letter for Trump inside on the Resolute desk. Reporters called out as Obama walked down the West Wing colonnade.
Asked if he has any final words for the American people, @BarackObama says: "Thank you."
.@POTUS takes his final walk down the White House colonnade. pic.twitter.com/dIC1cukzVl
2.28pm GMT
14:28
Shepard Fairey, the artist who created the original Obama “Hope” poster, has done a new series titled We the People – check it out at Mic.com. The Washington Post has printed one entry on the back of today’s A section – for use at the inauguration?
Here is my momma reading the Washington Post. Here's the story from @JackSmithIV of that image on the back page: https://t.co/lScUbGeoYB pic.twitter.com/aPRscweBvh
(h/t @rayajalabi)
Updated
at 2.29pm GMT
2.25pm GMT
14:25
We now have a roving live video stream of the Inauguration proceedings atop the blog. Soon we should be seeing the Trumps leaving church to head to the White House. Meanwhile there’s footage of the crowd on the National Mall.
2.22pm GMT
14:22
Obama: 'I'm still asking you to believe'
President (still for about the time it takes to watch a feature-length film) Obama is tweeting some farewell notes.
@potus is about to change.
It's been the honor of my life to serve you. You made me a better leader and a better man.
I won’t stop; I’ll be right there with you as a citizen, inspired by your voices of truth and justice, good humor, and love.
I'm still asking you to believe - not in my ability to bring about change, but in yours. I believe in change because I believe in you.
2.18pm GMT
14:18
Someone in New York City has unfurled a banner on the 59th St Bridge reading “Bridges not walls”:
My sister sends this image of the Queensboro bridge in NYC, where protestors today have unfurled a banner that says Bridges Not Walls. pic.twitter.com/fVFHxQCJSI
2.16pm GMT
14:16
Dan Scavino, Trump’s social media director, is in church with him. Tweeting in church!
'I told you - that you would be the 45th President of the United States, long before the first primary vote...'Pastor @robertjeffress
'History in the making....'Pastor @robertjeffress #InaugurationDay pic.twitter.com/NpTRqS88mD
2.10pm GMT
14:10
After church, the Trumps will head to the White House, where the president – Obama, that is – and first lady will host a tea and coffee reception with the Trumps in the Blue Room.
Afterward, the Obamas will depart – depart – the White House with the Trumps for the Capitol building.
Updated
at 2.16pm GMT
2.03pm GMT
14:03
Julian Borger
On a day when the size of Donald Trump’s inauguration crowds relative to Barack Obama’s is under scrutiny, an embarrassing reminder has emerged of the astroturf origins of the Trump campaign. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has released a report by its general counsel on the campaign’s hiring of actors to enthuse at Trump’s candidacy announcement at Trump Tower in New York on 16 June 2015, revealing that the ersatz supporters had to wait four months to get paid for their cheering. The campaign committee only coughed up the $12,000 it owed to the casting company that hired the actors a month after a complaint was made to the FEC.
In its ruling, spotted by the watchdog group the Center for Public Integrity, the FEC notes: “It is not uncommon for campaigns to hire companies or casting agencies ... to generate a crowd at an event.” The report said the sum involved was relatively modest and that the committee eventually paid up, so that the casting company’s effective “contribution” to the campaign, the interest on the unpaid amount, was too small to bother with. It also notes that the campaign violated the rules by waiting seven months before reporting the transaction to the FEC, but again decides that the amount is too small “to warrant the additional use of Commission resources”.
The main takeaway seems to be a cautionary one. If you are you going to act as a Trump supporter, make sure you get paid up front.
Updated
at 2.31pm GMT
1.48pm GMT1.48pm GMT
13:4813:48
Here is a clip of the Trumps arriving at St John’s Church:Here is a clip of the Trumps arriving at St John’s Church:
Trump and family arrive for church service at St. John's Episcopal Church #InaugurationDay https://t.co/S3JsClSsds pic.twitter.com/IgrYqXnnrJTrump and family arrive for church service at St. John's Episcopal Church #InaugurationDay https://t.co/S3JsClSsds pic.twitter.com/IgrYqXnnrJ
1.45pm GMT1.45pm GMT
13:4513:45
The Trumps have arrived at St John’s Church, along with other members of their family. Donald and Melania Trump were greeted by the pastor at the door.The Trumps have arrived at St John’s Church, along with other members of their family. Donald and Melania Trump were greeted by the pastor at the door.
Donald and Melania Trump arrive at St John's Church in Washington DC pic.twitter.com/ZbnsJzpLNd
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.47pm GMT at 2.13pm GMT
1.39pm GMT1.39pm GMT
13:3913:39
People have been tweeting pictures of the Trumps leaving the building. They are now on their way to the church in a large convoy of black cars.People have been tweeting pictures of the Trumps leaving the building. They are now on their way to the church in a large convoy of black cars.
Trump and Melania spotted leaving this AM with the First Lady to be wearing a very Jackie O esque outfit. pic.twitter.com/srUFAnXBeETrump and Melania spotted leaving this AM with the First Lady to be wearing a very Jackie O esque outfit. pic.twitter.com/srUFAnXBeE
Wow .. Melania = Jackie O. Sit your ass down Tom Ford. pic.twitter.com/NBYHQPdH7MWow .. Melania = Jackie O. Sit your ass down Tom Ford. pic.twitter.com/NBYHQPdH7M
1.35pm GMT1.35pm GMT
13:3513:35
Donald and Melania Trump, who was wearing a light blue outfit that TV anchors compared to the style of Jackie Kennedy, are leaving Blair House in Washington and getting into a large black car. Trump was wearing a long black coat and red tie.Donald and Melania Trump, who was wearing a light blue outfit that TV anchors compared to the style of Jackie Kennedy, are leaving Blair House in Washington and getting into a large black car. Trump was wearing a long black coat and red tie.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.36pm GMTat 1.36pm GMT
1.29pm GMT1.29pm GMT
13:2913:29
Vice-president-elect Mike Pence has arrived at St John’s Church for the service that the Trumps will also attend, MSNBC reports.Vice-president-elect Mike Pence has arrived at St John’s Church for the service that the Trumps will also attend, MSNBC reports.
Updated
at 2.22pm GMT
1.28pm GMT1.28pm GMT
13:2813:28
About 28,000 security personnel, kilometres of fencing, roadblocks, street barricades and dump trucks laden with sand are part of the security cordon about eight square kilometres of central Washington, AP reports.About 28,000 security personnel, kilometres of fencing, roadblocks, street barricades and dump trucks laden with sand are part of the security cordon about eight square kilometres of central Washington, AP reports.
Trucks blocking one of the roads leading to the White House in Washington DC pic.twitter.com/rAXiabzOF3Trucks blocking one of the roads leading to the White House in Washington DC pic.twitter.com/rAXiabzOF3
1.23pm GMT1.23pm GMT
13:2313:23
Before the inauguration ceremony, Trump and his wife Melania are due to leave Blair House, the president’s guest house, to attend a service at St John’s Episcopal Church, which is located across Lafayette Park from the White House.Before the inauguration ceremony, Trump and his wife Melania are due to leave Blair House, the president’s guest house, to attend a service at St John’s Episcopal Church, which is located across Lafayette Park from the White House.
They are also due to meet Barack and Michelle Obama at the White House for tea or coffee, before the two couples travel together in the presidential limousine for the short trip to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony.They are also due to meet Barack and Michelle Obama at the White House for tea or coffee, before the two couples travel together in the presidential limousine for the short trip to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony.
Here’s a reminder of today’s schedule (all times ET):Here’s a reminder of today’s schedule (all times ET):
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.24pm GMTat 1.24pm GMT
1.02pm GMT1.02pm GMT
13:0213:02
Waxworks of soon-to-be President Trump are being unveiled at museums across the world, AFP reports.Waxworks of soon-to-be President Trump are being unveiled at museums across the world, AFP reports.
As Donald Trump prepares to take the oath of office, his wax likeness is appearing in museums around the world pic.twitter.com/DPP21Zv7xPAs Donald Trump prepares to take the oath of office, his wax likeness is appearing in museums around the world pic.twitter.com/DPP21Zv7xP
12.57pm GMT12.57pm GMT
12:5712:57
Protesters chanting “no Tump, no KKK, no racists, fascists, go away” have disrupted preparations for the inauguration.Protesters chanting “no Tump, no KKK, no racists, fascists, go away” have disrupted preparations for the inauguration.
No Tump! No KK! Racist, fascist go Way! #disruptj20 #disrupthate #TrumpInauguration pic.twitter.com/5lyNYIlY9jNo Tump! No KK! Racist, fascist go Way! #disruptj20 #disrupthate #TrumpInauguration pic.twitter.com/5lyNYIlY9j
12.45pm GMT12.45pm GMT
12:4512:45
In Washington Trump protesters appear to have made it through security.In Washington Trump protesters appear to have made it through security.
Half the line seem to be anti-Trump. Protesters being let thru and assembling on inside pic.twitter.com/w2iqP5XM4yHalf the line seem to be anti-Trump. Protesters being let thru and assembling on inside pic.twitter.com/w2iqP5XM4y
Protesters inside the secure zone #TrumpInauguration pic.twitter.com/MbQmVrLlaUProtesters inside the secure zone #TrumpInauguration pic.twitter.com/MbQmVrLlaU
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.46pm GMTat 12.46pm GMT