I’ll admit it—I was wrong. Heading into the 2025 presidential inauguration, I fully expected a repeat of the chaos I witnessed in 2017. Back then, during Trump’s first swearing-in, the streets of Washington, D.C., were a battleground. Thousands of protesters clashed with police, smashed windows, torched cars, and left a trail of destruction that resulted in hundreds of arrests. It was a spectacle of outrage and unrest.
Watch Chuck Get Attacked By Hammer-Wielding Antifa in 2017
But this year? Almost nothing.
Sure, there were a handful of protesters—mostly of the fringe variety, like Westboro Baptist Church-types. But the scene was eerily calm. What’s more, it didn’t seem like it had to be. Despite the presence of 27,000 police and National Guard troops, 30 miles of fencing, and a fleet of trucks blocking roads, the anticipated storm never came. Why?
1. It Was Freezing
First off, it was 20 degrees. Let’s face it, bitter cold puts a damper on almost any outdoor event, even protests. But cold alone doesn’t explain the dramatic difference between this inauguration and 2017. After all, people braved the weather to raise havoc eight years ago.
2. Follow the Money?
The Guardian offers another intriguing possibility. In 2017, protests were organized and funded by a coalition of activist groups galvanized by Trump’s election. The anger was fresh, and the resources were abundant. This time around, those same groups may not have the same motivation—or the money—to pull off a repeat performance.
Political movements, especially large-scale protests, don’t materialize out of thin air. They require organization, funding, and a spark of collective outrage. It’s possible that the organizations that helped fuel the 2017 protests have dissolved or shifted focus. Or maybe the polarization that defined the Trump era has softened, leaving fewer people feeling angry enough to take to the streets.
3. Guardrails That Worked
Another factor might be the sheer scale of security. With tens of thousands of law enforcement officers and miles of barriers, even the most committed agitators may have been discouraged. The overwhelming show of force sent a clear message: not this time.
4. A Changing Political Climate
Finally, the broader political climate might have shifted. While America is still divided, the outrage that defined much of Trump’s presidency has evolved. People may be fatigued by years of constant political conflict, or they’ve found other outlets for their grievances.
A Quiet Surprise
In the end, I was prepared for mass unrest, and I got an orderly transition of power instead. It’s a pleasant surprise, but it leaves plenty of questions. Was it the cold? The security? A lack of funding and organization? Or is America, in its own way, starting to move past the need for protests that escalate into chaos?
Only time will tell whether this peace will hold (I'd like to be optimistic), but one thing is certain—this inauguration was a reminder that predictions, like protests, don’t always materialize the way you expect.
