Georgia Republicans celebrate Trump's inauguration amid MLK Day protests

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden stand on the steps of the White House, facing Donald Trump and Melania Trump as they make their way up the steps.
President Joe Biden, center left, and first lady Jill Biden, left, greet President-elect Donald Trump, center right, and Melania Trump, right, upon arriving at the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Shawn Thew / Shawn Thew

In Georgia, state leaders and residents both celebrated and protested President Donald Trump’s inauguration on the historic Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Republican state lawmakers and other supporters of Trump gathered to watch the inauguration in a Midtown Atlanta restaurant.

“I got chills while listening to his speech,” said grassroots activist Debbie Dooley who teared up after watching the ceremony and inaugural speech. “Look at what Donald Trump has gone through. They tried to indict him. They tried to put him in jail. They tried to bankrupt him. They tried to assassinate him, but he’s on that stage.”



Gov. Brian Kemp, who has had a rocky history with Trump but reconciled their differences during Trump’s campaign, posted his congratulations to social media on Monday, expressing his intention to work with Trump.

Kemp traveled to Washington to celebrate the inauguration, according to a photo he posted on his X account.

Trump received similar congratulations from other Republican leaders in Georgia, including Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and House Speaker Jon Burns.

Trump’s inauguration date coincided with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday this year. In Atlanta, an MLK Day celebration march made its way down Auburn Avenue toward the King Center.

Some attendees held signs protesting the new presidential administration, and at least one rally gathered in the shadow of historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King served as a pastor. Protesters say they worry Trump will consolidate power.

Esteban Hernandez is an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

“I’m angry because Trump has conned millions of people in this country into blaming immigrants for the poverty that they’re experiencing, the lack of health care, the lack of quality housing, but that’s a symptom of capitalism,” Hernandez said. “On his agenda is a billionaire’s agenda.”

During a Monday memorial service at Ebenezer Baptist Church, King’s daughter, Bernice King, delivered a speech condemning Trump’s opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government and across the country.

Trump referenced Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech during his inaugural address Monday, saying that he will help “forge a society that is colorblind and merit-based.”

“We will strive together to make his dream a reality. We will make his dream come true,” he said.

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia posted a video message to X in which he criticized Trump’s references to King’s memory and mission.

“His name was invoked throughout the ceremony, but the agenda did not sound like Dr. King,” Warnock said.

“I’ll work with the president when I can, but when he presents an agenda that does not do justice to ordinary people, you’ll see me stand up time and time again, because here’s what I know: You cannot remember Dr. King and dismember his legacy at the same time,” he added.