By Charles Borsos and Sarah Toy
BU News Service
Washington — President-elect Donald Trump arrived in Washington, D.C., on Thursday with about 24 hours to go before his swearing-in ceremony tomorrow. He and his wife Melania Trump stepped off a military plane at Joint Base Andrews for a day of pre-inaugural celebrations, the first of which was a reception at the Trump International Hotel.
Later in the afternoon, Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier in a ceremony to honor veterans, as Trump’s family, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner and daughter Ivanka Trump, looked on.
“It is going to be a very humbling and moving day for the president-elect, his family and mine,” said Mike Pence in a briefing with reporters earlier that day, according to Bloomberg News. “We can’t wait to get to work for the American people.”
After the wreath-laying ceremony concluded, Trump left the cemetery to attend a welcome concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Performers included Toby Keith, 3 Doors Down, and The Piano Guys.
At the end of the night, Trump spoke to the crowd. “We’re going to make America great for all of our people,” he said, striking the unifying tone his aides have been promising for the inaugural weekend.
Trump and Pence are scheduled to make an appearance at a dinner with donors at Washington’s Union Station after the concert.
