Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) sees dark symbolism in how President Donald Trump's inauguration was conducted — and what it means for the next four years of how the federal government will be run.
Trump's inauguration was supposed to be a grand affair, but it had to be scaled back due to severe and hazardous weather in Washington, D.C. The conditions were so cold that it made hoisting the half-staff flags to full height difficult.
"I was hoping for a unifying message — a speech seeking to bring us together & heal our differences. Instead, it was replete with grievance & grandiosity — playing to cultural & political divisions," wrote Blumenthal in a thread on X. But additionally, he continued, "I was struck by the panorama of Big Tech billionaires on a platform raised above Supreme Court Justices, placed ahead of Cabinet members. Governors were relegated to a separate room, including Republican Governors. It was a picture of a government for sale."
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Tech billionaires, including some who were critical of Trump during the previous administration, have broadly rushed to ingratiate themselves to the new administration with generous contributions to his inaugural fund — a matter that has led to widespread criticism not just from the left but from Trump's supporters.
"As always, I wish the President well because his success will be America’s success — & I’ll work with him whenever & wherever possible. But I’m determined to fight if necessary to protect CT & our country," wrote Blumenthal.
The senator particularly highlighted Trump's desire to pardon even the violent Jan. 6 participants, while legally harassing the lawmakers who investigated the attack.
"The second half of President Trump’s inauguration speech — delivered moments later downstairs — previewed his plan to pardon the January 6th rioters who stormed the Capitol & assaulted police officers," wrote Blumenthal. "Pardoning these cop killers would be sickening. Retribution against investigators of the insurrectionists would be equally repugnant."
No police officers directly died during the Jan. 6 attack. However, around 150 were injured, with one dying of a stroke and two dying by suicide in the days immediately after.
