SEATTLE — Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States Friday, taking the helm of a deeply divided nation and putting Republicans in control of the White House for the first time in eight years.
PHOTOS: The inauguration of Donald Trump
President Donald Trump started 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."
President Trump also thanked all of the past presidents in attendance, including former campaign foes Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
Read the full transcript of President Trump's speech
Trump says the United States exists to serve its citizens and Americans want great schools, safe neighborhoods and good jobs, but too many people face a different reality: rusted-out factories, a bad education system, crime, gangs and drugs.
At 70, Trump is the oldest person to be sworn in as president, marking a generational step backward after two terms for Obama, one of the youngest presidents to serve as commander in chief.
Protesters and police clash
[ Police and protesters clashed Friday ]
morning as activists took to the streets in opposition to the inauguration.
Videos posted to social media showed protesters smashing the windows of nearby businesses and throwing trash cans into the street. About 100 protesters changing "hands up, don't shoot," were cordoned off by police, according to the Associated Press.
Protests, marches planned in Puget Sound area
Many Seattle voters did not favor President-elect Donald Trump during the election, and there were protests across the Northwest after his election. Now, people in Seattle and Olympia plan to continue their opposition
[ with a series of anti-Trump protests and events ]
.
[ The Womxn's March on Seattle ]
on Saturday may be one of the largest events.
to attend.
Meanwhile,
[ more than 40 Congressional Democrats ]
, including Congresswoman Pramilla Jayapal, who represents a Seattle-area district, did not attend the inauguration. Jayapal said while
[ she'll boycott the ceremony ]
, she will not boycott the new president.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order ordering federal agencies to ease burden of Affordable Care Act. Presidential spokesman Sean Spicer did not give details on Trump's order. Follow this link to read about the order.
Local couple looking forward to a future with Trump
But of course, not everyone was unhappy looking at a future with Trump as president.
Reporter Essex Porter has been in Washington, DC, all week,
[ where he spoke to a local couple ]
, the Butenschoens.
They told Porter they were inspired when Donald Trump filled a huge rally in Lynden, Washington. Now they are celebrating his victory and doing some sightseeing in the nation's capitol.
“I'm most excited about what he can do for Americans, for our country, making it safer, making it so we're more united as a country,” Ashley Butenschoen said.