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‘He’s on the clock’: Lancaster County officials, political observers react to President Trump’s inauguration speech

President Donald Trump speaks during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.

 Chip Somodevilla / The Associated Press

President Donald Trump speaks during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.

Lancaster County elected officials and political observers said President Donald Trump’s inaugural address on Monday stuck to the issues that won him the White House in November – immigration, inflation and an America-first trade and foreign policy.

To his supporters, it was a speech marking a confident vision for remaking American governance and the country’s role in the world.

To others, Trump’s rhetoric was darker and more divisive than past presidents’ inaugural speeches, though in line with Trump’s 2017 address, noted by his use of the term “American carnage” in the text.

U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick

McCormick sat in the third row of the Capitol Rotunda – he estimated about 15 feet away from Trump – as the president was sworn into office.

He told reporters on a call Monday afternoon that Trump accomplished three things with his speech: Trump “took stock” and spoke bluntly about the state of the country, ran through a “playbook” of what his priorities this term will look like, and signaled the U.S.’s “greatest days are ahead.”

McCormick commended former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris for sitting through the ceremony with dignity while noting members of the Democratic Party must feel “deeply demotivated” after the election, which saw Republicans win a trifecta in D.C.

Asked whether he supported Trump’s plan to issue a flurry of executive orders on Monday, McCormick said he thinks they are necessary to address crises. Examples of what warranted executive action, McCormick said, include stopping the flow of fentanyl at the southern border and deporting undocumented immigrants “posing risk to American citizens.”

“The beauty of the executive order is you can just make things happen fast,” McCormick said. “We need shock therapy.”

McCormick noted that executive orders can often be overturned by the next administration and that he’d likely want Congress to codify many of Trump’s orders.


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Congressman Lloyd Smucker

Smucker, whose 11th Congressional District covers Lancaster County and a southern portion of York County, was unavailable for comment on Monday. Throughout the inauguration ceremony, he posted photos and videos to Facebook from his seat in the Capitol Rotunda. See his posts at www.facebook.com/RepSmucker.

Gov. Josh Shapiro

“I believe there’s more that unites us as Americans than divides us — and as the Trump Administration begins its work, we must focus on the commonsense issues that bring people together to move our Commonwealth and our country forward,” Shapiro said in a statement congratulating Trump on his swearing-in.

Shapiro also noted is prepared to “work with the Trump Administration to continue our progress here in Pennsylvania.”

State Sen. Scott Martin

“I think it was a ‘get down to business’ speech, re-emphasizing [Trump’s] concerns for the country and what he plans to do in honoring his campaign promises,” said Martin, who represents a sizable chunk of the county. “I believe his declaration of this being a ‘revolution of common sense’ speaks volumes as to why he connected with so many American citizens for his victory, but will also be a huge driver behind his policy decisions.”

Martin traveled to Washington for the inauguration with his wife, Amber, but they chose to watch the ceremony on television after it was moved inside due to the freezing temperatures.

Now that Trump is in office, Martin said he was “most excited” to see the actions the president takes to address issues facing Americans and support Pennsylvanians.


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Josh Parsons, Lancaster County Commissioner

Parsons did not respond to a request for comment, but he posted on Facebook photos likely from his 2019 visit to the White House captioned “Welcome back President Trump!” View his posts at www.facebook.com/CommissionerJP.

Alice Yoder, Lancaster County Commissioner

“Regardless of what is happening in Washington, I will continue to be fiercely focused on supporting our Lancaster County neighbors to live healthy, productive lives,” Yoder said. “I will continue to use whatever levers I have to keep Lancastrians safe and give them opportunities to thrive.”

Amber Martin, Lancaster County Treasurer

“President Trump’s inaugural address was what Americans heard throughout his campaign, so there were no surprises,” Martin said. “President Trump correctly highlighted that ‘In America, the impossible is what we do best’ and he reminded Americans that we are ‘one people, one family, and one glorious Nation under God.’”

She continued, “My prayer for President Trump is that his highest stated goal of being a ‘peacemaker and a unifier’ are realized.”

Lancaster City Council members

Some members of Lancaster City Council said they did not watch Trump’s inauguration.

“While ordinary Americans are regularly asked about their criminal history, a convicted felon will now be President,” Council member John Hursh told a reporter. “I have no interest in watching someone swear an oath they have no intention of keeping.”

Council member Lochard Calixte said that instead of watching Trump’s inauguration, he would spend the day honoring Martin Luther King Jr., whose federal holiday also fell on Monday.

“Today is a significant day of contrasts for our nation,” Calixte said. “On one hand, we inaugurate a new President, and on the other, we honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., a great leader who devoted his life to Equality and Justice.”


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Franklin & Marshall experts

“My initial view of the speech was that it was consistent with the President’s campaign, emphasizing his commitment to dealing with immigration and the cost of living, which were the undoubted pillars of his electoral success,” said Berwood Yost, director of the Floyd Institute for Public Policy at Franklin & Marshall College.

At other points, Yost said Trump was ambitious with his goals. The most bold, he said, were his commitments to plant an American flag on Mars and reshape the federal government.

“The speech was also dissonant in places, expressing hopes for peace, unity and improving the common good while also expressing rhetoric that belied those sentiments,” Yost said, pointing to Trump’s remarks about the U.S. only recognizing two genders and his commitment to reclaim the Panama Canal.

Regardless of voters’ views of Trump’s speech, Yost said it was clear that Trump has a lot he’d like to accomplish during his final term.

“He’s on the clock,” Yost said.

Stephen Medvic, director of F&M’s Center for Politics and Public Affairs, said Trump was “setting himself up for victory” with the speech’s tone by lowering the bar for himself.

“It painted a picture of American decline that doesn’t seem to comport with reality,” Medvic said.

Medvic said Trump’s first inauguration speech in 2017 had “clumsy attempts” at establishing policy plans, but now Trump has more sophisticated ideas and plans. The public, he said, should expect Trump to act soon on his policy proposals.

– Story reported by LNP | LancasterOnline’s Jaxon White, Jade Campos and Tom Lisi.

 

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