Channel 2 travels to Washington for Trump's inauguration

WASHINGTON, DC — Channel 2's Craig Lucie and Tom Jones are in Washington D.C. to cover all angles of the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump.

Lucie arrived in DC Wednesday and spoke to a local military widow who will be a part of the inaugural parade.

Jones traveled to Washington in a bus full Trump supporters. The supporters from metro Atlanta left Wednesday night and arrived Thursday morning.

Follow our minute-by-minute coverage below:

6:50 p.m.

The parade for newly sworn-in President Donald Trump is over, shifting the celebration to its third act — a trio of balls. Trump and first lady Melania are expected at all three.

Two balls will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The third, the "Salute to Our Armed Services Ball," will take place at the National Building Museum.

The celebrations come after Trump was sworn in as the nation's 45th president and the Senate confirmed his picks to lead the Defense Department and the Department of Homeland Security.

6:30 p.m.

The District of Columbia police chief says 217 people have been arrested and charged with rioting and six officers suffered minor injuries during demonstrations against President Donald Trump.

Interim Police Chief Peter Newsham provided the update at a news conference Friday.

Meanwhile, protesters in downtown Washington linked arms, facing off from the police line and chanting, "No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA."

Metropolitan police have deployed streams of pepper spray against demonstrators marching along the streets of the nation's capital — a disgruntled parallel to the ongoing inaugural parade.

5:30 p.m.

A group of protesters in downtown Washington jumped on the hood of a limousine, smashed its windows and then set it on fire, while hundreds of others waved signs and chanted slogans voicing their displeasure of their new president.

The protests came as President Donald Trump's inaugural parade continued blocks away.

Pockets of demonstrators broke out into screaming matches with Trump supporters. Police deployed flash bang grenades. Helicopters circled above, taking in the scene.

A line of police officers wearing riot gear watched demonstrators marching. The officers moved in once the limo was set afire to allow fire officials to extinguish the blaze. A pile of overturned newspaper boxes, trash cans and a tire were also set alight.

5:20 p.m.

President Trump, Vice President Pence and their wives arrive at the reviewing stand near the White House to watch the inaugural parade.

Trump said the day was "unbelievable" as he and his wife made their way along the North Lawn to the stand on Pennsylvania Avenue. Trump also flashed a thumbs-up.

The first couple are surrounded in the enclosed stand by their family members.

4:35 p.m.

Protesters set two cars on fire during protests just blocks away for the inaugural parade.

4:15 p.m.

President Trump exits car, walks parade route waving to supporters as he heads towards the White House.

Trump was joined by First Lady Melania Trump and their 10-year-old son, Barron.

The president rode in his official vehicle for the first portion of the parade and stepped out in front of FBI headquarters along Pennsylvania Avenue.

3:50 p.m.

Military bands representing all the service branches are playing and marching outside the Capitol, signaling the start of the inaugural parade.

Police officers on motorcycles are following closely behind as the parade participants begin the slow trek down Constitution Avenue.

Hundreds of police officers have lined both sides of the street. Service members are also standing at attention on both sides.

There are only a few onlookers along the first couple of blocks but the crowds appear to grow as the parade approaches the National Mall.

3:15 p.m.

President Donald Trump — in brief remarks at his inaugural lunch at the Capitol — says he was honored that Hillary Clinton, his rival in the White House race, came to the event.

The bipartisan crowd of lawmakers and other dignitaries gave Clinton a standing ovation after Trump asked her to rise.

Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, sat with members of Trump's family at the event.

Trump ended by saying he has "a lot of respect for those two people."

Contrast that with some of his rhetoric during the campaign.

Back then, Trump repeatedly said Hillary Clinton deserved to be in jail because of her private email server issues. And Trump invited women who had accused Bill Clinton of sexual assault to sit in the audience of one of the presidential debates.

2:25 p.m.

District of Columbia police are using tear gas canisters in a confrontation with protesters in downtown Washington.

Some people are being treated for exposure to tear gas and some people are vomiting.

Police have blocked off both sides of the street. Protesters were throwing bricks and concrete at police. One protester wearing a mask smashed a bank window. And demonstrators have blocked streets with newspaper boxes.

Another protester was standing on a mailbox and waving a rainbow flag.

Police are in riot gear, and that includes helmets and body shields.

Protesters have blocked streets with newspaper boxes.

1:50 p.m.

President Donald Trump has arrived at the inaugural luncheon in Capitol — and he immediately walked to Hillary Clinton's table and shook the hand of the defeated Democratic nominee.

The menu features three courses and includes Maine lobster, Virginia beef and shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico.

Later, Republican and Democratic congressional leaders will give toasts.

1:40 p.m.

President Donald Trump has formally nominated his Cabinet.

Trump made his nominations official just after he took office. He signed a series of documents in an ornate room steps from the Senate floor.

The president distributed pens to congressional leaders according to whether they liked his choices. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, for instance, received the pen that Trump used to nominate Elaine Chao, McConnell's wife, to be transportation secretary.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi jokingly objected to getting a pen used to nominate Tom Price to be health secretary. At that point, House Speaker Paul Ryan chimed in, "I'll take it."

After nominating Mike Pompeo to head the CIA, Trump said he'd heard Pompeo would be confirmed "momentarily."

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer piped up: "It depends what you mean by momentarily."

1:30 p.m.

Donald Trump isn't wasting much time before signing some presidential paperwork.

Press secretary Sean Spicer says on Twitter that the new president is signing formal nominations for each of his Cabinet picks and other members of the new administration.

He's also signing a proclamation for a National Day of Patriotism and legislation that clears the way for retired Marine Gen. James Mattis to run the Pentagon, if confirmed by the Senate.

Trump signed the documents as he was surrounded by lawmakers and his family members, and he handed out ceremonial pens to members of Congress.

1:24 p.m.

Former President Barack Obama is thanking supporters before he departs for a vacation in California — saying that they "proved the power of hope."

Obama was joined by former first lady Michelle Obama at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. They took a helicopter there from the Capitol following President Donald Trump's swearing-in ceremonies.

The outgoing president says he and his wife have sometimes been the "voice out front" but his push for changes in the country that began with his 2008 presidential campaign "has never been about us. It has always been about you."

1:15 p.m.

President Donald Trump has signed legislation that clears the way for his defense secretary pick — retired Marine Gen. James Mattis — to run the Pentagon, if confirmed by the Senate.

A vote on Mattis is expected Friday.

There's a law that bars former service members who've been out of uniform for less than seven years from holding the top Pentagon job. The restriction is meant to preserve civilian control of the military.

The measure signed by Trump soon after his took office grants Mattis a one-time exception.

Congress last allowed an exception to the law in 1950 for George Marshall, a former five-star Army general.

12:55 p.m.

The prime minister of Japan — one of America's closest allies — is congratulating Donald Trump on his inauguration and says he wants to strengthen the "unwavering" ties between the two nations.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe issued his statement minutes after Trump took the oath of office as the 45th U.S. president.

Abe says he looks forward to meeting Trump again "at the earliest possible occasion" to send a message to the world on the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance.

Japanese media have reported Abe may visit the U.S. in late January.

12:45 p.m.

Former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, are departing Washington.

The Obamas held hands as they walked to a military helicopter parked outside the East Front of the Capitol after Donald Trump took the oath of office.

Donald Trump and first lady Melania (meh-LAH'-nee-ah) Trump escorted the Obamas, and then the couples exchanges small talk and handshakes.

The helicopter is heading to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where Obama will address staff and supporters before he and his wife fly to California for a vacation.

The Obamas will return to Washington where they will live while their youngest daughter will finish school.

12:36 p.m.

Donald Trump has closed his first speech as president with his campaign slogan: "Make America great again."

Trump is borrowing from his campaign speeches and promising this: "Together we will make America strong again," wealthy again, strong again and proud again.

"And yes," he says, "together, we will make America great again."

12:22 p.m.

President Donald Trump says in his inauguration speech that an America united is an America that's "totally unstoppable."

Trump says Americans must speak their minds openly and disagree honestly, but they must always pursue solidarity.

Trump says Americans need not fear — they're protected by military and law enforcement personnel.

But most importantly, he says, "we will be protected by God."

12:10 p.m.

President Donald Trump is declaring his victory a victory for working people.

Trump says in his inauguration speech: "Today we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another," but "transferring power from Washington D.C. and giving it back to you, the people"

Trump says that, for too long, too few have had power and the people have paid the price.

He says: "Washington flourished but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered but the jobs left and the factories closed."

He says, "That all changes starting right here and right now."

Trump is also thanking former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama for their "gracious" aid through the transition.

12:05 p.m.

President Donald Trump is beginning his inaugural address by saying that "together we will determine the course of America and the world for many, many years to come."

He says Americans have "joined a great national effort to build our country and restore its promise for all people."

It began to rain in Washington as Trump started speaking.

Trump also thanked all of the past presidents in attendance, including former campaign foes Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

12 p.m.

Donald Trump is now the 45th president of the United States. He's just taken the oath of office on the West Front of the Capitol.

The combative billionaire businessman and television celebrity won election in November over Democrat Hillary Clinton, and today he's leading a profoundly divided country — one that's split between Americans enthralled and horrified by his victory.

The unorthodox politician and the Republican-controlled Congress are already charting a newly conservative course for the nation. And they're promising to reverse the work of the 44th president, Barack Obama.

11:55 a.m.

Mike Pence has been sworn in as the vice president of the United States.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administered the oath of office.

President-elect Donald Trump chose Pence, the former governor of Indiana, as his running mate last summer.

11:15 a.m.

As Donald Trump and President Barack Obama made their way to the Capitol, police were confronting a group of demonstrators wearing black in downtown Washington and using what appeared to be pepper spray.
Protesters were carrying signs denouncing capitalism and Trump.

Police cordoned off about 100 demonstrators who chanted "hands up, don't shoot."

A helicopter hovered overhead.

10:55 a.m.

Hillary Clinton says she's attending Donald Trump's inauguration to "honor our democracy."

Clinton made the comment on Twitter Trump took the oath of office. Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton are both in attendance.

Here's what Clinton is saying: "I'm here today to honor our democracy & its enduring values. I will never stop believing in our country & its future."

10:05 a.m.

The White House says members of the residence staff have presented President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama with two American flags that were flown atop the building.

One of the flags was flown on the first day of Obama's presidency. The other was flown on his final morning as president.

The Obamas are preparing to depart the White House for the last time as president and first lady when they head to Donald Trump's inauguration.

8:55 a.m.

Donald Trump says his inauguration will have "an unbelievable, perhaps record-setting turnout." Organizers of a protest the next day say their event will be the biggest demonstration in history to welcome a new president.

But how many people will show up at those gatherings? That's a question that may never be answered satisfactorily.

There won't be an official tally at Friday's inaugural festivities or the Women's March on Washington on Saturday.

For decades, the National Park Service provided official crowd estimates for gatherings on the National Mall.
But the agency stopped providing counts after organizers at 1995's Million Man March threatened a lawsuit. They complained that the National Park Service undercounted attendance at the m

8:25 a.m.

Georgians with Tom Jones heading to their seats for the inauguration.

7:20 a.m. 

Channel 2's Tom Jones, embedded with Trump supporters, begin heading to the Capitol for the inauguration ceremony.

Friday 5:40 a.m.

Security in Washington DC has increased leading up to the inauguration ceremony.

9:50 p.m.  

President-elect Donald Trump is already thinking about his re-election on the eve of his inauguration. Trump is touting the previously Democratic counties he was able to flip in November's election.

But he tells his campaign donors, "The next time we're going to win the old-fashioned way" because of how he and his cabinet will have performed.

Trump was speaking at a black-tie, candlelit dinner at Washington's historic Union Station.

Trump is continuing to brag about his cabinet picks -- "the likes of which," he says, "have never been appointed."

He says, "There's not a pick that I don't love."

And he jokes that he won't mind if it ends up raining Friday, "because people will realize it's my real hair."

9:30 p.m.

President-Elect Trump talks about naming former Gov. Sonny Perdue as Agriculture Secretary:

9:00 p.m.

Channel 2's Craig Lucie tweeted this video from inside the Georgia State Society Ball

7:35 p.m.

Incoming White House counselor Kellyanne Conway says President-elect Donald Trump will present himself as a "man of action who wants to unify the country" in Friday's inaugural address.

Conway tells reporters before the Indiana Inaugural Ball that Trump's address to the nation will be an "elegant, beautiful, powerful and brief speech." She will only say it will be a short speech, adding that Trump is "a man of action, not words, and you'll hear that tomorrow."

Conway says Trump's prepared remarks have been influenced by past inaugural addresses delivered by Presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy.

Conway is a longtime adviser to Vice President-elect Mike Pence, the former governor of Indiana.

6:20 p.m.

President-elect Donald Trump says he was elected to the White House because people wanted "real change." And he says he's confident he'll be able to unite the country behind him.

Trump addressed supporters on the eve of his inauguration at the end of a concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Trump attended along with members of his family.

Trump tells the crowd, "There's never been a movement like this. It's something very special."

He adds, "I had something to do with it but you had much more to do with it."

Trump also says he'll unify the country and is pledging to make it better for everyone.

He says rain or shine, the feeling at his inauguration Friday is "going to be beautiful."

5:10 p.m.

The Supreme Court says President-elect Donald Trump and Chief Justice John Roberts met briefly to discuss arrangements for Friday's swearing-in.

Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg says the meeting took place Thursday at Blair House in Washington.

Arberg says Roberts had invited Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence to pay a visit to the court before the inauguration, but a time could not be arranged because of the court's schedule and previous commitments. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden stopped by the court before they took office in 2009.

Trump pointedly criticized Roberts during the campaign for his votes to preserve Obama's health care overhaul.

4:00 p.m.

Lucie and Jones report live from Washington, D.C. on Channel 2 Action News.

Jones spoke with Trump supporters who are excited for the chance to witness history.

"This is fantastic. This is exciting. There is so much electricity everywhere on the streets," said Jim Moulton, who was one of about 60 people who rode one of six deluxe tour buses from Georgia to D.C. for the inauguration.

Thursday, 11:45 a.m.

Lucie talks one-on-one with Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson, who talked about Trump naming former Georgia governor Sonny Perdue as his pick for agriculture secretary.

"Its a great choice. He comes from middle Georgia. He's a farmer. He's a vet. He's been in business in fertilizer grains and minerals. He's been a governor of a state... I can think of nobody better for the president to pick than Sonny Perdue," Isakson said.

Lucie asked Isakson about his plans for the inauguration.

"This is a peaceful transfer of power. I've been a part of the last four inaugurations. I'm looking forward to this one," he said.

9:15 p.m.

Channel 2's Craig Lucie lands in Washington, D.C. for the presidential inauguration.

Wednesday, 8:45 p.m.

Channel 2's Tom Jones is with Trump supporters as they prepare to load up buses and travel to Washington, D.C. for the presidential inauguration.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report

Cox Media Group