Supporters of Donald J. Trump gathered in Haymarket on January 20, 2025, to celebrate the inauguration of the 47th U.S. President at a watch party hosted by the Bull Run Republican Women’s Club.
The sold-out event, held at Giuseppe’s Ristorante Italiano, drew attendees from across Prince William County and as far away as Peru. Organized under the leadership of Carol Fox, the watch party was described as a joyous occasion that brought local Republicans together to celebrate and enjoy the historic moment.
“The event was a chance to bring Republicans together and have fun watching the inauguration,” said Fox. Adding to the festivities, a dance contest to the tune of “YMCA” delighted guests, with prizes awarded for the most Trump-inspired dance moves. Proceeds from the event will support the Bull Run Republican Women’s Club’s college scholarship program.
Jeff Fuller, a member of the executive board of the Prince William County Republican Committee, praised President Trump’s inaugural address. “It was no-nonsense and forward-looking,” Fuller said, reflecting the sentiments of many attendees.
The Prince William County Republican Committee commended the Bull Run Republican Women’s Club for organizing the celebration and creating an event that energized the community and raised funds for a worthy cause.
By Sarah Hagen and Andrew Kerley
VCU Capital News Service – Retired Falls Church handyman John Magill braved cold rain and snow, and a blocks-long line for the chance to see President Donald Trump speak at a rally ahead of his second inauguration.
Magill held a handwritten sign with the words: “TRUMP IS THE G.O.A.T.” — short for “greatest of all time.”
“Just the way he handles things, he’s a businessman,” Magill said, about why he voted for Trump. “He wants to get rid of the corrupt government. The economy is better off with him.”
Magill was one of several Virginians who called themselves commonsense voters, and who journeyed into Washington for Trump’s “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” at the Capital One Arena on Jan. 19.
These voters tell Capital News Service they want cheaper gas and food, more law enforcement support, less undocumented immigrants and things that “normal Americans love.” Several cited false or misleading statistics to back up their favorable view.
Approximately 20,000 people were allowed into the rally that ran from approximately 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event featured guests like Kid Rock, Village People and Elon Musk, whose son X followed him on stage.
Trump, who did his trademark dance to a live “YMCA” performance, reiterated his promise to issue many executive orders upon taking office, which is common during the transfer of power.
“You’re going to see executive orders that are going to make you extremely happy, lots of them,” Trump said to a cheering crowd, according to a transcript of his speech. “We have to set our country on the proper course.”
Trump promised the “most aggressive sweeping effort to restore our borders the world has ever seen.” Another initial focus will be to end “the Biden war on American energy” which Trump sees as a way to help defeat inflation and lower energy costs.
Arlington information technology specialist Bryan Malonjao immigrated from the Philippines. He became a naturalized citizen by serving in the Marine Corps for five years and now works at the Pentagon, he said. Malonjao supports Trump’s planned deportations.
“Do it the right way,” Malonjao said. “Do it the way I did it. I earned my citizenship.”
Malonjao’s wife is currently in Turkey awaiting a process to migrate to the U.S., he said. He questions why Immigration and Citizenship Services are taking a year to make it happen. And he is frustrated by a belief that the Democratic Party is expediting cases of people “coming in here illegally already.”
“This is all from the internet, you can see it, and they’re approving them a lot faster than someone who’s doing it the right way,” Malonjao said.
There are currently 17 countries that have temporary protected status, which allows individuals who would be unsafe if deported back to those countries to stay temporarily but is not necessarily a permanent immigration pathway, according to the American Immigration Council. It can take anywhere from six months to 1.5 years to gain TPS.
Malonjao also thinks it is unfair if undocumented immigrants receive more housing money than people who lost homes in Hurricane Helene, citing numbers similar to statements Trump made in the past that were disproven.
 He also wants Trump to fix inflation.
“Fix the tax, lower the grocery prices, gas prices,” Malonjao said. “Help out the veterans … honestly help out the veterans. A lot of veterans are suffering right now and I want those people to be helped first.”
Marcos Padilla from King George County said he was active in the earlier tea party movement that paved the way for the Make America Great Again movement, or MAGA. Padilla likes Trump because he “left us alone” during his first term.
“Just stay off our backs,” Padilla said. “We don’t need more regulations, we don’t need more laws, we don’t need more rules, we need fewer, right?”
Candy maker Rick Dotson of Staunton thinks Trump did “a really good job” the first time. He cited inflation and border security as top reasons he is excited to see Trump back in the Oval Office.
Dotson, who works at Hershey Chocolate of Virginia, thinks this is a moment of change.
“I’ve seen a lot of different people out here today, a lot of different nationalities,” Dotson said. “I think it’s going to bring the country together more, hopefully.”
Travelers and locals scrambled to find backup plans when Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration was moved inside the Capitol Rotunda due to forecasted freezing temperatures. Over 200,000 tickets were reportedly distributed, or promised, but only a fraction of that number could enter the Capital One Arena, which was used Monday as a location for people to watch a livestream of Trump’s swearing in.
The president plans to take the stage again at the sports arena on Monday, as part of his inaugural parade ceremonies. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who attended the inauguration, told the press he is slated to deliver remarks at the arena before the parade.
Capital News Service is a program of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Robertson School of Media and Culture. Students in the program provide state government coverage for a variety of media outlets in Virginia.
Today, Monday, January 20, 2025, marks Inauguration Day in the United States. Donald J. Trump is being sworn in as the 47th President, becoming the second individual after Grover Cleveland to serve non-consecutive presidential terms.
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled at noon, with Chief Justice John Roberts administering the oath of office. Due to severe cold weather conditions, the event will be held in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C.
Local Event: Inauguration Watch Party
The Bull Run Republican Women’s Club is hosting an Inauguration Watch Party today at Giuseppe’s Ristorante, located at 15120 Washington Street in Haymarket. Doors open at 11 a.m. The event will feature a celebratory atmosphere as attendees watch the inaugural proceedings together.
Tickets are $35 in advance, which includes a glass of bubbly, with food available for purchase. Tickets on the day of the event are $47 if space allows. Proceeds from the event will go toward the organization’s scholarship and candidate donation program.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/25inauguration.
If you’re planning to attend outdoor festivities or events this Inauguration Day, bundle up! The National Weather Service has issued a frigid forecast for the day, with Arctic air making its presence known across the region.
The day will start mostly sunny but bitterly cold, with high temperatures struggling to reach 27 degrees. Adding to the chill, northwest winds of 13 to 18 mph will bring gusts up to 30 mph, creating wind chills in the single digits to teens east of the mountains and well below zero in higher elevations.
By Monday night, clouds will begin to increase, and temperatures will drop even further to a low of around 11 degrees. Winds will calm slightly, but the Arctic air will linger.
Looking ahead to Tuesday, there’s a slight chance for snow showers in the afternoon, though any accumulation is expected to be light due to the very dry air. Highs will hover near 24 degrees, with winds becoming light and variable.
Those in the Alleghenies should be prepared for ongoing upslope snow showers, with some areas seeing accumulations exceeding a foot.
If you’re heading out, layer up and stay warm! With hazardous wind chills persisting through Thursday morning, it’s essential to take precautions against the cold.
Prince William County School Board member Richard Jessie and his wife, former school board member Lillie Jessie, are urging the community to boycott the upcoming presidential inauguration by turning off their televisions at noon on January 20. They believe that lower viewership will send a strong message to the new administration.
In the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump secured a historic return to the White House, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump won 312 electoral votes to Harris’s 226, marking a significant political comeback.
Comparatively, during Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, approximately 30.6 million people tuned in to watch the ceremony on television. This was the second-highest viewership for an inauguration in 36 years, surpassed only by Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration, which drew 37.8 million viewers.
The Jessies’ call to action aims to reduce television ratings for the 2025 inauguration, potentially making it one of the least-watched in recent history. They encourage community members to participate in this form of peaceful protest, emphasizing the collective power of the people.
What are your thoughts on this proposed boycott? Do you believe that tuning out can effectively convey a message to the administration? Share your opinions in the comments below.
OmniRide commuter buses and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) have released their service schedules for Monday, January 20, 2025, coinciding with both the Presidential Inauguration and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Riders are encouraged to plan as services will be adjusted.
OmniRide Service Schedule for January 20, 2025
- OmniRide Express: No Service
- OmniRide Metro Express: Regular schedules to both Franconia-Springfield and Tysons. Rides will be free.
- OmniRide Local & East-West Express: Regular Service
- OmniRide Access Paratransit & OmniRide Connect Microtransit: Regular Service
OmniRide’s Metro Express offers convenient and cost-free travel for commuters heading to Franconia-Springfield and Tysons, ensuring smooth transportation during this special day.
Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Service Schedule
VRE will operate an “S” schedule on Monday, January 20. This means only the trains marked with an “S” on the VRE schedule will run. Riders should review the schedule in advance to confirm which trains will operate.
Virginia Railway Express is a commuter rail service connecting Northern Virginia to Washington, D.C. The system operates along two lines: the Fredericksburg Line and the Manassas Line, providing a critical transit option for residents commuting into the nation’s capital. With its focus on safety, reliability, and comfort, VRE is a popular choice for weekday commuters in the region.
Both OmniRide and VRE riders should anticipate potential delays due to inaugural activities and associated road closures. For more information:
- OmniRide Customer Service: 703-730-6664
- VRE Service Updates: Visit vre.org
Take advantage of these services to travel efficiently and stress-free on Inauguration Day.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced significant highway changes and closures to support the Virginia State Police during the upcoming Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump. Drivers traveling from Virginia into Washington, D.C., on Monday, January 20, are urged to plan ahead and use alternate routes as multiple bridges and ramps will be closed. Portable and overhead message signs will provide reminders of the closures.
The closures will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, January 20, and remain in effect until the conclusion of the inaugural events. Here’s what drivers need to know:
I-395 Northbound
- General-Purpose Lanes: Will remain open.
- 395 Express Lanes: Closed from north of Edsall Road, including the HOV/Rochambeau Memorial Bridge. All entries to the 395 Express Lanes will be closed. Drivers using the 95 Express Lanes will be detoured to I-395 general-purpose lanes near Edsall Road.
- Ramp Closures:
- The slip ramp entry to the HOV/Rochambeau Memorial Bridge (Ramp G).
- Eads Street ramp to the HOV/Rochambeau Memorial Bridge.
- Boundary Channel Drive ramp (Exit 10A).
I-395 Southbound
- General-Purpose Lanes: Will remain open, as will the George Mason Memorial Bridge.
- HOV/Rochambeau Memorial Bridge: Closed southbound.
- 395 Express Lanes: Reversal to southbound will start at the standard time of 11 a.m.
- Access ramps at and south of Washington Boulevard are scheduled to open by approximately 12:30 p.m.
- Ramps north of Washington Boulevard, at Eads Street, and from the HOV/Rochambeau Memorial Bridge coming from Washington, D.C., will stay closed until the conclusion of the inaugural events.
- Boundary Channel Drive Ramp (Exit 10A): Closed.
Plan Ahead
Motorists are encouraged to check expresslanes.com for reversal schedules and updates on I-95 and I-395 Express Lanes. For broader information about transportation impacts in Washington, D.C., visit inauguration.dc.gov.
Drivers should anticipate delays and adjust their plans accordingly to ensure smooth travel on this important day.
