5 things you didn't know about the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump

(Baonghean.vn) - On January 20, US President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. The preparations for the inauguration ceremony are more special than those of previous presidents.

Join Nghe An Newspaper to learn about special things before Mr. Trump's inauguration ceremony.

1. How terrible is the security for President-elect Trump's inauguration?

Staff prepare for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Photo Daily Mail

"There is no specific imminent threat to the inauguration," said Homeland Security Secretary Johnson, but that does not mean they can ignore any situation. "The global terrorist environment is very different than it was in 2009 and 2013 at the inauguration of President Barack Obama," Johnson said. As a result, US law enforcement must be mindful of homegrown violent extremism, including lone wolf attacks and self-radicalized individuals.

Specifically, to avoid drone attacks, US security forces will deploy massive bulletproof glass panels to protect the ceremony. US government snipers will continuously patrol rooftops. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will deploy biological, radiation and chemical detection equipment around the inauguration area.

A 2.7-mile area in downtown Washington where the traditional parade down Pennsylvania Avenue takes place will be closed to vehicles. Anyone entering the area on foot will have to undergo a thorough security screening.

Attendees were not allowed to bring anything except cell phones, cameras and wallets. Balloons, bicycles, lasers, glass bottles, packages and weapons were also banned. US authorities also deployed cement trucks, buses and heavy vehicles to prevent another car ramming into the crowd like the one in France last year.

2. Who was the announcer at Mr. Trump's inauguration?

US President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in on January 20. Photo: CNN.

President-elect Donald Trump broke with tradition by not choosing 89-year-old Charlie Brotman, who has been the announcer at the inaugurations of 11 presidents since US President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1957.

Replacing Mr. Brotman is Mr. Steve Ray, 58 years old, a freelance broadcaster in Washington. Mr. Ray was invited to be the announcer at the inauguration of the 45th President of the United States on January 20, 2017. In particular, Mr. Charlie Brotman will be honored as the honorary announcer and a VIP guest at President Trump's inauguration ceremony.

Steve Ray graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Broadcast Journalism in 1980. After graduation, Steve Ray worked in radio for over 30 years. Recently, he has been a well-known Radio News host. He also reads long-form international articles for Reuters.

In addition to his successful journalism and broadcasting career, Ray is also an actor. He has played many supporting roles in films and television series. His notable roles include “House of Cards” and “Die Hard.”

Before being invited to be the announcer at President Donald Trump's inauguration, Mr. Steve Ray was a volunteer campaigning for President Donald Trump in the 2016 US presidential election campaign.

3. Trump's inauguration will cost a record $200 million

Two US officers impersonating Donald Trump and his wife Melania rehearse for the inauguration in Washington, January 15 - Photo: Reuters

The peaceful transfer of power between US presidents is a huge expense. According to the Washington Post, the total cost of the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump this year, taking place on January 20, will cost between $175 million and $200 million, including official banquets and dinners, concerts, the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol, the parade, the ball and security costs. Of this, $70 million will come from private donors campaigned by Mr. Trump, the rest will come from the government budget.

The January 20 swearing-in ceremony, which is run by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, cost over $1 million and was paid for by the federal government. The money was spent primarily on constructing a grand stage on the west side of the Capitol building and hosting a luncheon for the new president and vice president. (Tickets for the outdoor event were mostly distributed by members of the Senate and House of Representatives, often to voters.)

Security, transportation, emergency response and cleanup are the most expensive parts of the process. The federal government spent $115 million and $124 million on these in 2005 and 2009, respectively. This year, the cost of security for Trump’s inauguration alone has reached $100 million, according to the New York Times.

However, according to experts, despite the high costs, the profits that presidential inaugurations bring to the local economy are huge. This year's inauguration of Mr. Trump is estimated to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars to Washington DC.

4. Trump's inauguration melody

US President-elect Donald Trump at an event in Hershey, Pennsylvania on December 15, 2016. Photo: AP/TTXVN

During the inauguration ceremony of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, there will be a melody played twice, dedicated to the 44th White House owner Brack Obama and his successor Trump, which makes the public want to learn more about this song called "Hail to the Chief".

"Hail To The Chief" is considered the official song to welcome the President of the United States. This melody first sounded in the "land of the free" more than 205 years ago.

The phrase “Hail to the Chief” originated in Scotland in Walter Scott’s 1810 poem “The Lady of the Lake.” The poem has no connection to the United States or its president.

However, the poem was adapted into a musical of the same name and was a huge success at the time. Among the songs from the musical "The Lady of the Lake" that crossed the ocean to America, "Hail to the Chief" really made an impression. Later, the melody was added with lyrics praising the American leader and was played at the ceremony to celebrate the birthday of the first President George Washington in 1815.

CNN quoted historians as saying that "Hail to the Chief" was later played at the inauguration of the 8th US President Martin Van Buren in 1837 and the 10th White House owner John Tyler in 1841. During the time of the 11th President James Polk (1845-1849), "Hail to the Chief" was continuously played whenever the president entered the room at an event.

5. What did Mr. Trump swear in at his inauguration as US President?

Mr. Donald Trump on the night of declaring victory - Photo: AP

During the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Trump will have to recite the oath like every previous US President. The original text of the oath: “I solemnly swear/affirm that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, defend and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

All US presidents can choose between the two words swear and affirm. However, of all the presidents up to now, only President Franklin Pierce (1853-1857) chose to use “affirm” instead of “swear”.

Under the United States Constitution, which took effect in 1789, the phrase “So help me God” must be included in the oath of all judges and government officials, except the president of the United States.

In his final speech as US President, Barack Obama pledged: “I pledge to President-elect Donald Trump that my administration will ensure a smooth and seamless transition, as President Bush did during his transition to me.”

Peace

(Synthetic)