Whitehouse Statement on Inauguration of President Trump

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today issued the following statement: “This was no normal inauguration of an American president. “President Trump gave a cadre of billionaires seats of honor on the dais, and he is handing them the power of the federal government to loot the hardworking people who pay their taxes and keep this country running.   The incoming president just created a cryptocurrency to enrich himself as he takes office.  His first actions as president include massive giveaways to Big Oil billionaires and pledging to raise taxes on Americans.  And the outgoing president had reason to preemptively try to protect his family from politically weaponized investigations. “Democrats must be vigilant to protect Americans’ civil liberties, our democratic system, and the rule of law, as looters and polluters line up before President Trump to feed themselves at the expense of the middle class and our environment.”