WATCH: Trump Honors Fallen Supporter In Powerful Inaugural Parade Entrance
President Trump paid tribute to Corey Comperatore, the retired firefighter who was killed in the attempt on Trump’s life in Butler, Pennsylvania earlier this year, in a powerful introduction to the inaugural parade.
The Trump family first received a warm welcome from the 20,000 strong crowd of the president’s supporters at the inaugural parade on Monday, which was moved indoors due to frigid temperatures outside.
The president’s youngest son, Barron, received the most enthusiastic reaction from the crowd, which proceeded to chant his name as the family took their seats behind the podium. The most ardent MAGA supporters cheered for each of the Trump children when they were shown on the Capitol One Arena jumbotron, including Donald Jr., Eric, Tiffany and Ivanka.
Chants were reserved for Barron and Lara Trump, who played a key role in securing Trump’s second term as co-chair of the Republican National Committee. Vice President J.D. Vance’s name was also chanted as he made his way into the arena with his wife, Usha, and three young children.
President Trump and First Lady Melania then made their entrance, drawing booming chants of “USA” as the newly-minted commander-in-chief made his way to the stage. The president — who was carrying a binder filled with soon-to-be signed executive orders — made his way through the crowd alongside the First Lady.
Once onstage, the crowd erupted into chants of “fight, fight, fight,” a callback to Trump’s income reaction to being shot during the assassination attempt.
The event then took on a more somber tone when the parade began with an honor guard comprised of Pennsylvania first responders, all of whom played a role in responding to the shooting. At the very front of the parade, members of Comperatore’s fire department in Buffalo, Pennsylvania carried his gear. The arena then observed a moment of silence in honor of Comperatore, who was killed while shielding his daughters from incoming gunfire.
Trump has honored the life of his fallen supporter on numerous occasions since the July 13 shooting, including during his Republican National Convention speech. Comperatore’s fire gear was displayed onstage throughout then-candidate Trump’s remarks.
The parade also included an honor guard from the Palm Beach Police Department, which is President Trump’s main residence outside the White House. Additional participants included an honor guard from the New York Military Academy, where Trump is an alumnus, the NYPD Pipes and Drums, and the Middletown High School marching band from Vice President Vance’s hometown, among several additional groups.
After the parade, Trump is expected to sign the first of upwards of 200 day one executive orders, many of which will pertain to immigration policy, energy production and national security.