CT RESIDENTS REACT TO TRUMP’S SECOND-TERM INAUGURATION, SAYING UNITY IS AT THE FOREFRONT

The Chester community gathered at the Chester Meeting House on Monday for a watch party to celebrate President Trump's second-term inauguration. Photo, Boceto Media.


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Chester, CT.- Despite chilly temperatures, a crowd of Connecticut residents gathered at the Chester Meeting House early Monday to watch the inauguration of President Donald Trump for his second term.


The watch party, attended by a mix of longtime supporters and first-time inaugural watchers, reflected a sense of optimism and anticipation for the next four years under Trump’s leadership.


Carolyn Kane, a local community leader and former chairman of the Chester ROTC, expressed renewed hope for the future following Trump’s election.


"Seeing all these patriots come together gives me immense confidence in the direction our country will take," said Kane, who is also chairwoman of the Harbor Management Commission.


First-time inaugural watcher Annette Vinci also joined the festivities, sharing her excitement at the gathering.


"I’ve never watched an inauguration before, and I think it’s a great experience," Vinci said. She added that she hoped others would "sit back, relax, and enjoy the day" despite any concerns about Trump’s return to office.


Rennie Minchin, a Chester resident, echoed similar sentiments, noting that Trump’s presidency offers an opportunity to restore "normalcy" to the country.


"We need to secure the border and boost energy production to help fight inflation," Minchin said. "I think if people are patient, they’ll see results, just like we did the first time."


Chester residents during President Trump's inauguration. Photo, Boceto Media


While many in Chester were optimistic about Trump’s second term, residents of Hartford had mixed feelings. Jose Garcia, a Hartford resident, voiced support for many of Trump’s economic proposals, but expressed concern about his stance on immigration.


"I believe in almost all of his proposals to move the country forward. My wife and I both work two jobs to support our family, and we still struggle. My children are in elementary school, and not being able to provide enough for them to enjoy breaks my heart sometimes."


In his second inaugural address, President Trump outlined plans to revive American manufacturing, reduce trade imbalances, and implement fairer economic policies for American workers. He also stated that one of his first actions as president would be to declare a national energy emergency to boost domestic energy production. Trump emphasized his goal of making America energy independent by utilizing the country’s natural resources to reduce fuel costs.


Carmen Salinas, a native of Peru, Hartford resident, and mother of two, shared her thoughts on the economic challenges that families are facing.


"We definitely need a better economy. The past four years really bit us up," Salinas said as she was grocery shopping. "In my family, we’re four, and me and my husband working is just not enough."


However, Garcia and Salinas both share concerns about the uncertain future of immigration policies.


“I’m afraid about the mass deportation. I have some friends who are undocumented. They’re family to me. They work hard and don’t commit crimes. They came here to escape poverty in Colombia”, Garcia said. “ It’s sad that they may be deported, but I still have hope because Trump said he will only deport those who have committed crimes. Let’s see what happens."


Salinas' family recently was able to legalize their immigration status but expressed concern for those who may face deportation.


"I’m sad for those who may leave due to deportation, but I don’t think that will happen here in Connecticut, as it’s a sanctuary state."


In the 2024 election, Donald Trump gained strong support from Hispanic and Latino voters, winning a historic 42 percent of their vote, the most ever for a Republican candidate. He received 47 percent of the vote from Hispanic and Latino men and saw significant gains in majority-Hispanic areas, especially along the Mexico border in Texas and Southern Florida.


In his inaugural speech, President Trump thanked Hispanic and Black Americans for their overwhelming support.


“We had a powerful win in all seven swing states and the popular vote, we won by millions of people to the black and Hispanic communities”, he said. “I want to thank you for the tremendous outpouring of love and trust that you have shown me with you”.


But when it comes to immigration policies, Trump made it clear that securing America's borders would be a top priority. He promised to immediately halt illegal immigration, reinstate the 'Remain in Mexico' policy, and take aggressive action against criminal organizations and gangs that have fueled violence and chaos across the nation.

Barbara Lopez, executive director of Make the Road CT. Photo, Make the Road CT


For Barbara Lopez, Executive Director of Make the Road Connecticut, Trump's presidency is not widely welcomed. In a statement to the media, she said.


“Make the Road Connecticut strongly condemns Trump’s cruel promises to target immigrant communities and families through mass deportations and detention. These threats are not only inhumane but threaten to tear apart the fabric of communities across the U.S.


Pedro Gonzalez, a Hartford resident from Ecuador, was grocery shopping when he shared his thoughts on the country’s challenges. He acknowledged that fixing the issues would take time, saying, "I know it’s difficult to accomplish everything at once. In my country, we are also facing mass immigration and crime because of it. I understand the concerns of Americans, and I don’t want crime happening here."


Then Gonzalez continued, "I don’t think Trump will deport those who aren’t committing crimes. He said it will only be the criminals. So, we need to embrace each other. Good times will come."


Salinas remains hopeful about the future. "It's time to leave the division behind and move forward as a united country. I want the best for my children, which is why I migrated here," she said. "We need to come together and find solutions. Fueling division will only harm all families, no matter their status.”


Jeffrey Duigou, a former state Senate candidate, framed the occasion in terms of national unity, tying it to Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision for the country.


"We need to come together as Americans," Duigou said. "We can’t let political divisions continue to divide us. It’s time to move forward."






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CT RESIDENTS REACT TO TRUMP’S SECOND-TERM INAUGURATION, SAYING UNITY IS AT THE FOREFRONT CT RESIDENTS REACT TO TRUMP’S SECOND-TERM INAUGURATION, SAYING UNITY IS AT THE FOREFRONT Reviewed by Maricarmen Cajahuaringa on January 20, 2025 Rating: 5