WASHINGTON — Surrounded by his three kids, wife, and mother, Ohio native JD Vance has been sworn in as the 50th vice president of the United States.
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Brett Kavanaugh administered the oath of office to the former U.S. senator from Ohio in the United States Capitol building. Mr. Vance’s wife, Usha Vance, formerly clerked for Justice Kavanaugh after graduating from Yale University’s law school.
“I, James David Vance, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic,” Mr. Vance repeated with his right hand raised.
The theme of President-elect Donald Trump and Mr. Vance’s inaugural ceremony was “Our Enduring Democracy.”
In his speech, Trump declared that the “golden age of America begins now.” He also declared the date of Jan. 20, 2025, to be known as “Liberation Day.”
During his speech, Trump laid out his vision for the next four years, which include strict security at the southern border, withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord, unleashing American energy, supporting the country’s auto industry, and more.
“Above all, my message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigor, and the vitality of history’s greatest civilization,” Trump said. “So as we liberate our nation, we will lead it to new heights of victory and success.”
The ceremony was held inside the Capitol building because of the cold weather. It was the coldest Inauguration Day since former President Ronald Reagan’s second swearing in ceremony in 1985. His ceremony was also held indoors.
The inside ceremony created a more intimate atmosphere that was well-attended by Ohio legislators. In the audience, U.S. Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) and Bob Latta (R., Bowling Green) were in attendance. So was U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno (R., Ohio) and former Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who was appointed on Friday to fill Mr. Vance’s Senate seat. Although he was in attendance, he has not been sworn in yet.
Columbus-area billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, the former co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency, was also in the audience. He is expected to announce his candidacy for Ohio governor.
Governors, as well as spouses of the House and Senate members, the Supreme Court justices, and diplomats, watched the ceremony from the Emancipation Hall in the Capitol building.
“It was a celebratory and lively group,” said Marcia Latta, Mr. Latta’s wife. “We all sang along to the songs while watching it on a screen.”
“Everyone understood with the weather and the wind that it couldn’t happen outside,” she added. “And while disappointed, I think everybody made the best of it.”
Mr. Vance, born in Middletown, Ohio, will be the first vice president assuming the position from an elected office in Ohio. He currently resides in Cincinnati. He will also be the third youngest vice president at 40 years old.
Because of the restricted capacity in the Capitol building, Capital One Arena in Washington was opened for a live viewing experience of the ceremony. Trump and Mr. Vance made an appearance at the arena after the official ceremony at the Capitol building.
Members with the Ohio Republican Party who came to Washington to support Mr. Vance held a watch party at their hotel, the Capitol Hilton, to celebrate. Locally, the Lucas County Republican Party held a watch party at JoJo’s Original Pizzeria on Monroe Street.
Tim Eschemann from Piqua, Ohio, was traveling with the state Republican Party and watched with his fellow Republicans as they cheered on the former Senator.
“It’s just so exciting,” he said. “That was a common guy, blue-collar raised. He just grew up and saw it all. He seems like a very sharp guy.”
The inaugural ceremony also falls on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which is the third time in history the days have overlapped.
“[It’s] a further reminder that we must strive to uphold the values enshrined in our Constitution, the freedom, the liberties, and, as inscribed on the entrance of the United States Supreme Court, equal justice under law,” U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) said in her opening remarks.
Jacob Tissot from Cincinnati was also traveling with the Ohio Republican Party and said it was his first presidential inauguration. Although it didn’t turn out how he thought it would, he still enjoyed the experience.
“It was absolutely incredible,” Mr. Tissot said. “It felt like a home football game. Everyone was rooting for the same team. It was incredible. The ballroom went crazy [for Mr. Vance].”
That isn’t the only “football game” Mr. Tissot will be cheering for.
The Ohio State University football team will face the University of Notre Dame on Monday night in Atlanta for the national championship. While Mr. Vance previously joked about skipping the ceremony to cheer on the Buckeyes, it has been speculated he will instead watch the game with members of the Ohio Republican Party.
Mr. Tissot was already decked out in Ohio State spirit wear, making it clear who he was cheering for.
Although it’s Trump and Mr. Vance’s first day in office, there is already pressure on Mr. Vance, who is expected to be the Republican presidential nominee in 2028. Trump would be term limited, and, therefore, unable to run again.
“He will definitely be in the presidential [race] in 2028,” Mr. Eschemann said.
Trump will be the first person since former President Grover Cleveland to serve nonconsecutive terms.
“When you look at what we do in Ohio, you know, we go back to the old saying, ‘We’re the heart of it all,’” Mr. Latta told The Blade in an interview before the ceremony. “You know, we have our manufacturing base. We have a skilled work force out there, so I think that there will be a lot of highlights for Ohio in the next administration for everything we’ve been doing in Ohio.”
First Published January 20, 2025, 6:16 p.m.
