BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – It’s a big day in D.C., and in our region, emotions are running high on both sides of the political spectrum.
Whether they’re fixated on the TV or blocking out the noise, most people say Monday is a day that will go down in history.
If he weren’t on the clock, Barre’s John Doon says he’d be glued to the screen to watch President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration unfold. He sees the day as the kickoff to a new chapter of progress.
“I’m hoping that Mr. Trump puts us before everybody else’s needs including his own, and that’s how I feel. That’s what I saw before and I was happy and I’m glad that he’s back in action,” said Doon.
Others care less about the pomp and circumstance and more about the follow-through.
“I’m not paying too much attention to it but you know, I’m looking forward to seeing what’s going to happen within the next four years,” said Ryan Gallagher of Barre.
Vermonters requested a reported 482 tickets to attend Trump’s 2017 inauguration.
A spokesperson for Senator Welch’s office told WCAX that tickets to attend this inauguration are currently on a waitlist basis for Vermonters. 32 people requested tickets through Balint’s office, but we didn’t hear back from Sanders’ team.
While some people told us they will be watching, some political experts predict much of Vermont’s blue wave won’t bother turning on the TV.
“I don’t think a lot of Vermonters are going to go out of their way to watch this. They’re not celebrating the fact that Trump is the next president even if they acknowledge the importance of a peaceful transition,” said Matt Dickinson of Middlebury College.
Jillian Sackett of Waterbury is one of those blocking it out, skiing with her kids instead of watching. She says it’s a day that triggers a lot of mixed emotions.
“It brings up a lot of complicated feelings, and I’m ok with complicated feelings, I handle them often. But it’s not going to help anyone with me watching,” said Sackett.
The transfer of power is at noon on Monday with Senator Welch and Representative Balint expected to attend. We will bring you coverage as it unfolds.