
As the nation watched Donald Trump once again take the oath of office, the city of El Paso presented a microcosm of the deep divisions felt across the country. In the heart of Downtown El Paso, demonstrators gathered to voice their concerns and rally for the issues they hold dear. "Today, we are coming together to exemplify our resistance to what lies ahead," U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, told the crowd during what has been called the El Paso People's Rally, according to MyHighPlains.com. The rally coincided with a nationwide Women's March held ahead of the inauguration, signaling a continued resolve to stand against policy changes promised by the incoming administration.
Yet, this view was hardly unanimously held in the border city. In a manifestation of the prevailing dichotomy, the El Paso County Republican Party hosted a watch party to celebrate Trump's inauguration. Reveling in the ceremony, two El Pasoans, Danny Stevens and Louis Duran, made the significant journey to Washington D.C., as reported by KFOX-TV. They started their trip on Thursday morning, making a brief sojourn in Nashville, Tennessee, before arriving in the capital on Sunday night to witness history's unfurling.
The contentious nature of this day was not lost on the residents. As the city displayed its divided heart, the reality of what a Trump presidency might mean hung heavily over some community members. "I think the last time he was in office it just seemed like there was a lot of violence," said Ivory Sheffield, as per KVIA. With Trump vowing to quickly sign immigration executive orders and the incoming border czar Tom Homan promising what he calls "the biggest deportation operation this country has ever seen," tension is palpable among those who worry about the implications for their communities and families.