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Foreign Affairs Dominate Agenda for Trump Base at Start of Presidency

Trump supporters show excitement as they tune into Donald Trump’s swearing in on their phones. (Credit: Janine AlHadidi)

Trump supporters show excitement as they tune into Donald Trump’s swearing in on their phones. (Credit: Janine AlHadidi)

 

WASHINGTON D.C. – During the third weekend in January, tens of thousands traveled from all across the country and packed Washington, D.C. for President Donald Trump’s inauguration festivities.

 

One voter issue important enough to many Trump fans that waited in frigid temperatures this weekend to catch a glimpse of the president: foreign policy. 

 

Supporters were eager to witness what would be on President Trump’s policy agenda on the first day, which for many, weighed heavily on their decision to vote for Trump. Amongst major foreign policy concerns were ending the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

 

According to a recent poll conducted by the IMEU Policy Project and YouGov, 29% of Biden 2020 voters said that the War in Gaza was the main reason they chose not to cast their ballot for Kamala Harris. 

 

On Inauguration Day, just blocks from the Capital One Arena, David Marks, 63, drew attention as he positioned his bicycle outside the arena gates, where it was anchored to a large pole flying three very different flags: the Ukrainian flag, a combined Israeli and Palestinian flag with a peace symbol at its center, and a blue-and-white MAGA flag at the top. 

 

“I am making a statement that Trump’s presidency is a great opportunity now for world peace,” Marks said.

 

The Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal officially took effect on Jan. 19, the day before Trump’s inauguration. While the deal was negotiated while former President Joe Biden was in office, sources showed that Trump’s new Mideast envoy pick played a large role in the final negotiations.

 

Marks credits Trump for the deal, and expresses hope for the future of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.

 

“I think he is putting together a strong team that will rein in on Putin and Netanyahu,” he said, referencing Trump’s appointment selections as “a strong military, Republican, and male-oriented team.”

 

Daniel Cho and his wife stand in line for the Trump Inauguration Rally outside the Capital One Arena. (Credit: Janine AlHadidi)

Daniel Cho and his wife stand in line for the Trump Inauguration Rally outside the Capital One Arena. (Credit: Janine AlHadidi)

 

Daniel Cho, 75, voted for Trump because he was also driven by a hope that Trump’s political approach would rub off on foreign leaders. 

 

“I hope Trump can influence Korean politicians to be more right and conservative,” he said.

 

Cho and his wife carried a flag that read “Korean Anti-Communist Young Warrior” as they waited in line.

 

“Donald Trump is a very strong man with a big door to build America with more dignity,” Cho added. “Other countries are not respecting America at all.”

 

Jared Kenner, 42, who travelled from Kentucky to attend the inauguration festivities, also spoke about what Trump’s presidency could mean for Canada-US relations. Kenner referred to Trump’s recent comments suggesting that Canada should join the U.S. as a state, is just a “a lot of big talk right now.” But, he said,  the conversation starter can serve a larger purpose in re-assessing cooperation between the two countries. 

 

“What I do find interesting is that some of the dialogue that it opens up may be beneficial,” he said. “I don’t think Canada will be the 51st state, but I think the comments will cause both leaders to get into that dialogue that might improve our relationship.” 

 

While waiting in line, supporters eagerly tuned into President Donald Trump’s swearing in on their cellphones chanting “USA,” with some jumping in excitement and hugging friends and family around them.

 

When the arena had reached full capacity, many rejoiced outside the gates and watched the ceremony on the jumbo screen at the front of the arena.

About the author(s)

Janine AlHadidi is a Jordanian-Canadian multimedia journalist based in New York City, covering human rights, immigration, and conflict.
She is an M.S. candidate at Columbia Journalism School.