Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Photos: President Trump’s inaugural parade attracted relatively few people

President Trump and First Lady Melania waving to parade gathers.
President Trump and First Lady Melania waving to parade gathers.
President Trump and First Lady Melania waving to parade gathers.
Getty Images

Since President Jimmy Carter’s inauguration in 1977, the presidential parade has become a tradition, with the newly minted president walking part of a one-mile route along Pennsylvania Avenue past supporters crowded into grandstands.

But as you’ll see in the photos below, the attendance Friday along the parade route for President Donald Trump was pretty sparse.

Reuters also captured empty stands elsewhere along the route.

Reporter Katy Tur of NBC heard from the inauguration committee that there was one possible explanation for the lackluster turnout.

Another reason could have been the inclement weather — it was rainy and overcast in Washington for much of the afternoon. Protesters and heavy security in the city may have kept supporters off the parade route as well.

But, at least judging from the images we’ve seen, it doesn’t seem as if turnout was anything close to the parade for President Obama in 2009.

The inauguration crowd along Pennsylvania Avenue at President Obama’s inaugural parade in 2009.
The inauguration crowd along Pennsylvania Avenue at President Obama’s inaugural parade in 2009.
Ryan Anson/AFP/Getty Images

Watch: President Trump’s inaugural address

See More:

More in Politics

Podcasts
The Supreme Court abortion pills case, explainedThe Supreme Court abortion pills case, explained
Podcast
Podcasts

How Louisiana brought mifepristone back to SCOTUS.

By Peter Balonon-Rosen and Sean Rameswaram
Politics
Trump’s China policy is nearly the exact opposite of what everyone expectedTrump’s China policy is nearly the exact opposite of what everyone expected
Politics

As Trump heads to China, attention and resources are being shifted from Asia to yet another war in the Middle East.

By Joshua Keating
Politics
Are far-right politics just the new normal?Are far-right politics just the new normal?
Politics

Liberals are preparing for a longer war with right-wing populists than they once expected.

By Zack Beauchamp
The Logoff
Flavored vapes doomed Trump’s FDA headFlavored vapes doomed Trump’s FDA head
The Logoff

Why Marty Makary is out at the FDA, briefly explained.

By Cameron Peters
Politics
Virginia Democrats’ irresponsible new plan to save their gerrymanderVirginia Democrats’ irresponsible new plan to save their gerrymander
Politics

Democrats just handed the Supreme Court’s Republicans a loaded weapon.

By Ian Millhiser
The Logoff
Can Trump lower gas prices?Can Trump lower gas prices?
The Logoff

What suspending the gas tax would mean for you, briefly explained.

By Cameron Peters