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From Mount Vernon to the Rotunda, Central Valley Watches Trump Inauguration
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 3 weeks ago on
January 20, 2025

Guillermo Moreno (center) attends an inaugural ball with his sister Hadasah (left), and mother Lisa. (Special to GV Wire)

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With the change in venue of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, not everybody who went to our nation’s capital city from the Central Valley could attend.

Anticipated frigid weather moved the activities indoors. The traditional parade was scrapped for an event at Capital One Arena — home of the NBA’s Wizards and NHL’s Capitals.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer was already in Washington for the U.S. Conference of Mayors. No longer able to attend in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, Dyer — along with his chief of staff Kelli Furtado and spokesperson Sontaya Rose — came home early to participate in the Martin Luther King Day celebrations.

Guillermo Moreno, CEO and co-owner of radio stations KXEX (1550 AM) and KQEQ (1210 AM), planned to attend. Unable to go to the alternate location at the Capital One Arena, the Morenos watched on their cell phone at Mount Vernon — about 20 miles from the Capitol.

He is in Washington for inauguration activities with his mother, Lisa Moreno — an official with the California GOP — and sister Hadasah. They attended the California Legacy Ball last night at the Hay-Adams Hotel.

“The change that Americans voted for starts today. The speech showed President Trump’s laser focus on solving our nation’s toughest problems. It was an immense honor to watch this historic event with my family and so many Americans in D.C. I, as many here in D.C., want nothing but success for our country and everyone in it,” Guillermo Moreno said.

President Donald Trump speaks during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)

Liz Kolstad, chair of the Fresno County Republican Party, was in Washington.

“This is a new chapter for America. We are stronger, more unified, and ready to reclaim our place as the world’s leader,” Kolstad said in a news release. “Our greatest days are ahead of us.”

Congress Attends in the Rotunda

The Central Valley congressional delegation attended the inauguration, including former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, who represented parts of Fresno and Clovis .

Rep. David Valadao (R-Kings County) said he was honored to attend Trump’s swearing-in.

“To witness the peaceful transfer of power from one leader to the next is something that makes our nation so great, and a privilege I do not take lightly,” he said in a statement. “I am looking forward to working with the Trump Administration to promote American energy independence, address California’s water crisis, lower costs for our families, and bring home some real wins to the Central Valley.”

Rep. Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, who succeeded McCarthy, said the inauguration “begins an exciting four years where America and its leaders are reinvigorated, by clarity, breadth, and energy of the President’s vision.”

“I was humbled and energized by the President’s inaugural speech and look forward to working with the Trump-Vance Administration on this day one to pass the laws we need to make America great again,” Fong said.

Fong’s office said they distributed 200 tickets to the originally scheduled inauguration, which are now just souvenirs. Space restrictions in the Rotunda meant Fong and other congressional members could no longer bring guests.

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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