Crowds of Trump supporters have gathered in the US capital ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump.
Mr Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States at a swearing-in ceremony today.
Political correspondent Seán Defoe told Newstalk Breakfast that enthusiastic Trump supporters began arriving in Washington DC yesterday.
"It's just the Donald Trump show - it's actually so different from 2017 and indeed after he left office," Seán said.
"The protest that happened in 2017 for his inauguration had 500,000 people - the same protest this time had 50,000."
Seán said this year's inauguration is atypical due to the arrival of foreign leaders, including Argentinian President Javier Milei and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
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The inauguration will also be held indoors due to severe weather conditions.
"This is the first one since 1985 that is going to be held indoors," Seán said.
"It's about -5C and that's as warm as it's going to get throughout the day - so all of the outdoor events have been moved inside for public safety."
Despite the cold, Seán talked to a group of Trump supporters - who call themselves the 'Front Row Joes' - who camped outside over the weekend.
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One Front Row Joe described Mr Trump as his "warrior", while another said he was the "greatest President ever".
Seán also talked to Canadian Trump supporters known as the 'Maple Leaf MAGAs'.
"Canada has done nothing but let me down my entire life - so if we become the 51st State, I'm OK with that," one Canadian Trump supporter said.
Executive orders
Seán said Mr Trump is expected to sign a "shock and awe campaign of executive orders".
"[He said last night he was going to sign] as many as 200 and they are going to focus on the border straight away and undo a lot of the Biden era changes," Sean said.
"Biden was signing pardons up until a couple of hours ago."
The inauguration will take place at 4pm Irish time.
Feature image: President-elect Donald Trump departs a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
