What Hoosier leaders in and outside the U.S. Capitol thought of Trump’s Inauguration Day

President Donald Trump was sworn in on Monday as the 47th president of the United States with representatives from Indiana watching both inside the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol and at watch parties around Washington, D.C.  

The Monday ceremonies were held inside for the first time in 40 years due to intense cold temperatures in Washington, D.C., and around the country. It meant only members of Congress and special guests could attend the official inauguration events inside the U.S. Capitol. 

Despite the weather and last-minute event changes, Hoosiers were there, including members of Indiana’s congressional delegation, Gov. Mike Braun and former Hoosier Vice Presidents Mike Pence and Dan Quayle.  

For Trump’s loyal supporters from Indiana, Monday’s inauguration marked a historic day. It capped off a political comeback for Trump after he lost the 2020 presidential election to now-former President Joe Biden. In the last four years, Trump faced impeachment, numerous legal cases and two assassination attempts prior to winning the 2024 presidential election.  

“It was really one of the greatest days in American history and the biggest political comeback we’ve ever seen since our country’s beginning,” Indiana U.S. Sen. Jim Banks, who ran for senate in 2024 with Trump’s endorsement, told IndyStar Monday afternoon. “President Trump delivered a great speech reasserting America’s strengths and our role in the world. It’s great to have a president again who actually believes that America is the greatest country in the history of the world and we’re going to be even greater.”  

Inside the Capitol 

Some members of Indiana’s congressional delegation posted photos and videos to social media to share what the ceremonies looked like inside the U.S. Capitol.  

U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym, who represents the 2nd Congressional District in northern Indiana, shared messages in videos on his X account, including after Trump’s inaugural address in which Trump slammed policies of the outgoing Biden administration, outlined his initial executive orders and called his inauguration a new “Golden Age” for America.  

“He has laid out a clear vision for this country to make America great again, a positive vision, forward looking,” Yakym said in a video posted to X. “Now the time has come to get to work to deliver on the promises that we all made to the American people.”  

Monday’s inauguration was not the first for Indiana U.S. Sen. Todd Young, who has represented Indiana in both the House and the Senate. Trump’s decisive victory in the 2024 election and winning rare non-consecutive terms, were also part of what made the inauguration a historic day, Young said.

Young was among Republicans who at times were critical of Trump’s 2024 campaign, but told IndyStar it was important to be at the inauguration because Trump is “our president.”  

“Every single American should pray that he succeeds in restoring security and prosperity to the American people,” Young said Monday afternoon.  

Indiana’s senior senator, who is respected by many Republicans and Democrats alike, emphasized it’s time for Republicans to get to work and said he believes he is positioned to help Trump succeed by “building bridges across the political aisle.”  

“We campaign in flourishes, but we have to govern around certain specific policies, and those policies to have any enduring value need to be developed in a bipartisan way,” Young said. “That’s how I can be helpful.”  

Indiana state Treasurer Daniel Elliott had planned to see Trump’s inauguration in person with his wife and son, but the last-minute move to hold the ceremonies inside the capitol changed those plans.  

Elliott and his family still traveled to Washington, D.C., but instead bounced back and forth between watch parties held by the Indiana Republican Party and Hoosier members of Congress to view the inauguration.  

It was not in person, but Elliott said there was excitement and energy among Republicans to see Trump take the oath of office again.  

“It’s been a momentous experience, even if I didn’t get to be right where I thought I was going to be,” Elliott said. “I wouldn’t have chose anywhere else to be, and to be able to be with my family and be able to show my son that, look we are part of the greatest country ever, and someday it’s going to be his turn to be one of those people who helps lead our country.” 

Protests in Indianapolis 

Back in Indianapolis, a small group of protestors bundled up to attend an anti-Trump rally at Monument Circle in Indianapolis on Monday afternoon, despite the bitter cold.

“There are to be some dark days ahead. So does that mean that we hide out in our homes, blanket over our heads, waiting for the next four years to pass?” asked Medley Byers, co-chair of the Central Indiana Democratic Socialists of America. Byers was one of a handful of speakers from left-leaning political organizations including IDOC Watch and the Indy Liberation Center. 

“No,” the crowd shouted back. Members held up signs addressing issues ranging from income inequality to war in the middle east. 

“Of course not,” Byers said. “We can’t afford to do that, and the people we care about can’t afford for us to do that.” 

Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter/X@CarloniBrittany.