WASHINGTON (AP) — Capping a morning of inaugural pomp and pageantry, Donald Trump stepped before a sprawling crowd at the U.S. Capitol Friday, poised to be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. Trump gave a thumbs-up, pumped his fist, and mouthed "thank you," as he walked to his seat next to incoming Vice President Mike Pence. Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, Trump and his wife, Melania, were greeted at the White House by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama for the traditional private meeting of outgoing and incoming presidents and their spouses. Posing for photos on the North Portico, the couples exchanged hugs as Barack Obama chatted about the demands of protocol. But in a sign of the deep divisions Trump sowed during his combative campaign, dozens of Democratic lawmakers were boycotting the swearing-in ceremony on Capitol Hill.

Source: The China Post January 20, 2017 16:56 UTC