Cheers, jeers as inauguration broadcast in bars, homes and even jails

MARION, Ohio — As the national anthem played on TV, Heavenlee Carmon stood in her orange jumpsuit and orange sandals, her hand over her heart, emotional.

Carmon, 21, is three weeks into a one-month jail sentence for theft from a Wal-Mart. Like the dozen or so women in her unit at the jail serving Marion and Hardin counties, Carmon doesn't support President Donald Trump and didn't vote for him. But she was raised to stand at attention, to be respectful.

Carmon's idea of respect for her country differs from the one Trump outlined Friday in his inaugural address, which she watched with other inmates around a grainy television. Trump promised to return the U.S. to international greatness, focusing on "America first" in trade deals, and "most importantly, ... protected by God."

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"We are all God's people. Not just our nation, but the entire world is God's people," Carmon said. "We should all be able to trade and work together and form alliances in order to keep peace instead of just pushing out the entire world. He's focusing solely on America, and that's not right."

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Across America on Friday, TVs in schools, bars, offices and homes were tuned in to Trump's inauguration as the nation's 45th president — a ceremony that brought out strong and differing emotions. People cheered at the arrival of a new Republican era that promises job growth, stronger borders and a better healthcare system. Others mourned the end of the Obama administration and expressed fears about what's to come.

At many schools, the historic event was a teaching moment.

At Mason Middle School in Mason, Ohio, teacher Anne Saresky reminded the class before Trump’s speech that the inauguration isn’t about who won or lost — it’s about the process. What’s important, Saresky said, is a nation’s ability to peacefully transfer power from one leader to the next.

Thirteen-year-old Caitlin Malich covered her mouth, hiding a smile as Trump raised his right hand.

“I was really happy about it,” said Malich, a seventh-grade student.

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“I think some of my Democratic classmates were whispering, ‘Well, America’s done,’” Malich said. But she just grinned: “It’s not done, guys. He didn’t even do anything yet.”

At Pocomoke High School in Worcester County, Maryland, which overwhelmingly voted for Trump in November, junior Meghan Suplick said it's important for the United States to stay united. She pointed to Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, who were in attendance at Trump’s inauguration, as showing Americans that they need to come together to support the Trump presidency.

“You didn’t understand (Obama’s first inauguration) as much,” Suplick said, due to her age then. “But now you feel like you are a part of something bigger. It’s cool to see how it all comes together and all works.”

Students watched in a classroom at Chambersburg Area Senior High School in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and discussed what they believe are the most pressing issues, including health care and trade.

"I think because he self-funded his whole campaign that he will not be beholden to anyone, and he'll do what's best for the country," said Garrett Schowalter, 17. "Also creating jobs and repealing NAFTA is something I'm in favor of."

At York College in York, Pa., many students walking through the halls said they'd chosen to go to class over watching the inauguration. Some students were praying in the student center, but declined to say why.

At the York campus of Penn State, several students who had attended a watch party mulled over the significance of the day. George Tatlas, a freshman, called Trump's speech "full of bluster."

"His Cabinet picks are laughable ... I don't have high hopes for this administration," Tatlas said.

The mood was decidedly more upbeat in Corpus Christi, Texas, where a couple dozen Republicans gathered and briefly broke out in song when former President Barack Obama boarded a helicopter leaving Capitol Hill in Washington after the inauguration.

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"Na, na, na, na — good-bye," they shouted and cheered.

For many, the day was first about the end of Obama's tenure. But for others, it was about the start of the President Trump era.

"Praise the Lord," Dorothy Huebner, 63, said. "I am beyond excited we have a conservative Christian man to run our country. He's a winner, he's a fighter and great for America. I'm thrilled our country will get back on track with what our founding fathers intended."

Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey was busy with travelers hurrying to catch flights as the inauguration played in the background. In a quiet corner of the international terminal of the region’s air hub, a conservative and an independent watched.

Luggage porter John Halecky of Bayonne voted for Trump and said he admired his ability to keep people on their toes. "You don't know what he's going to do until he starts doing it," he said.

Pilot Jim Bizzell of Tampa, Fla., voted for independent Gary Johnson and was suspicious of Trump's business background.

"You just don't want a used-car salesman as president," he said.

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Whiskey and beer flowed before noon as about 75 Republican party faithful gathered in downtown Oxford, Michigan, at Sullivan’s Public House, an Irish pub. An upper room was festooned with American flags and the television was tuned to Fox News as the GOP faithful munched on fruit and vegetables and hooted cheers as Trump appeared on screen.

The crowd stood for the national anthem and joined in singing "America the Beautiful."

"Singing all together made me feel like how I want America to be,"  said Janet Wolverton, 52, of Lake Orion, who works as a bookkeeper.

Guests huddled around a life-sized cut-out of Trump to pose for photos and shake hands.

"It's like 'we finally made it,'" said Ross Ensign, 74, of Lake Orion, who served as a member of the Electoral College that formally elected Trump. "It's a great day of celebration."

Contributing from the USA TODAY Network: Chrissie Thompson and Hannah Sparling from Ohio; John Wisely in Michigan; Sydney Musser in Pennsylvania; Matt Woolbright in Texas; and John Seasly in New Jersey.