Arizona lawmakers use social media to document Trump’s inauguration
Jan 20, 2017, 3:08 PM
Arizona Treasurer Jeff DeWit, middle, poses with Deputy Campaign Manager David Bossie, right, and former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski before Donald Trump's inauguration on Friday, January 20, 2017. (Twitter photo/@JeffDeWitAZ)
(Twitter photo/@JeffDeWitAZ)
PHOENIX — As Donald Trump officially made the transition from president-elect to 45th president of the United States on Friday, several Arizona lawmakers traveled to D.C. — and used social media to document history taking place.
Arizona Sen. John McCain sent out a tweet late Friday afternoon, congratulating the president and Vice President Mike Pence and looking ahead to “address the many challenges facing our nation.”
Congrats to @POTUS Trump & @VP Pence this #Inauguration Day – look fwd to the work ahead to address the many challenges facing our nation
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) January 20, 2017
But according to reporters in Washington, things did not seem as cordial behind the scenes.
just asked John McCain about Trump's foreign policy message. McCain rolled his eyes. #InagurationDay @CQnow @rollcall
— John T. Bennett (@BennettJohnT) January 20, 2017
Former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has been an outspoken supporter of Trump throughout his campaign, and expressed her gratitude for his appointment on Twitter.
For the first time in eight years, I can finally say "Thank You Mr. President!" Congratulations @realDonaldTrump! pic.twitter.com/JIA2zvSbmI
— Jan Brewer (@GovBrewer) January 20, 2017
Arizona Treasurer Jeff DeWit joined Brewer in congratulating the new president.
DeWit posted on Twitter that the inaugural was “well attended by #TeamTrump,” as he posed with Deputy Campaign Manager David Bossie and former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.
.@TrumpInaugural well attended by #TeamTrump, @CLewandowski_ and @David_Bossie here also to watch @realDonaldTrump become 45th #POTUS. #MAGA pic.twitter.com/3r7giNYdOs
— Jeff DeWit (@JeffDeWitAZ) January 20, 2017
His wife, Marina, also posted a congratulatory tweet of her own.
Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Tucson, said on Wednesday that “it’s her job” to attend the inauguration, even as Democratic Reps. Ruben Gallego and Raul Grijalva said they would not attend in protest.
(2/2) Special thanks to officers and first responders from around the nation who are working in DC this week. pic.twitter.com/TdFGkMkScU
— Kyrsten Sinema (@RepSinema) January 20, 2017
Instead of attending the inauguration, Grijalva held a town hall event in Tucson.
Gallego did not disclose his plans for the day, but tweeted from his personal account that the American people need to “make sure he remembers” that they are his boss.
Today is @realDonaldTrump 1st day on the job. He has a boss. You are his boss! Make sure he remembers that.
— Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) January 20, 2017
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey congratulated the president and Pence in a tweet Friday, while vowing to work with Trump “to create boundless opportunities for all Americans and Arizonans.”
Congrats, #45. Looking forward to working with you to create boundless opportunities for all Americans and Arizonans.
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) January 20, 2017
Mark Brnovich, state attorney general, tweeted a photo in front of the Capitol building with his wife Susan, calling it an “honor” to attend.
Historic day! Honored to attend the Presidential Inauguration. pic.twitter.com/waFvBfqqow
— Mark Brnovich (@GeneralBrnovich) January 20, 2017
Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio was also in attendance on Inauguration Day, tweeting about the concert the night before and the inaugural parade.
Trump Protestor recognized me here at inaugural parade, very cordial. pic.twitter.com/1aDWfu9Xsu
— Joe Arpaio (@RealSheriffJoe) January 20, 2017
Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, Robert Graham, showed a less grandiose side of the inauguration in a Facebook post, with a compilation of photos showing attendees donning ponchos and dodging the rain — but still smiling, nonetheless.
Incoming Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs tweeted his support of the new president on Friday, while Rep. David Schweikert provided a resting place for his daughter and State Sen. Carlyle Begay tweeted a photo of him walking in the inaugural parade with Navajo Code Talkers.
Twitter and other forms of social media weren’t just used by Arizona lawmakers to document their inauguration day festivities: Trump, the King of Twitter himself, tweeted that Friday would “be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again.”
power from Washington, D.C. and giving it back to you, the American People. #InaugurationDay
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2017
The peaceful transfer of power was also demonstrated through the transfer of the official @POTUS account, which as of Friday afternoon, was wiped clean of Barack Obama’s tweets and replaced with a single one from Trump.
The @FLOTUS, @VP and @WhiteHouse accounts are also officially under the Trump Administration’s control.
An incredible moment in American history — @POTUS Trump taking the oath of office. pic.twitter.com/o1N1QMGB1s
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 20, 2017
But no worries, Obama isn’t saying goodbye to Twitter anytime soon. On Friday afternoon he tweeted from his personal account, @BarackObama, “Back to the original handle. Is this thing on?”
