Gov. Brian Kemp and Georgia’s other constitutional officers will be sworn in this morning. Ceremonies start at 9:30 a.m. at Georgia State University’s Convocation Center, followed by a parade to the Capitol. Streets are blocked off in much of the surrounding area.
Among those present for today’s ceremony are Trudy and Tommy Smith, representing the Clayton County Republican Party:
On Wednesday, state troopers and Army troops were practicing for the event. Bagpipers played “God Bless America” and soldiers fired four large guns across from the Gold Dome.
The gunfire rattled an otherwise quiet morning at the Capitol as the soldiers practiced the salute for the governor later today.
The Capitol entrances were hung in red, white and blue bunting and Georgia State Troopers blocked off the overpasses and streets nearby. One driver tried to go around two Georgia State Patrol cruisers parked across the street. “Whoa, whoa!” one trooper yelled as he approached the car, hands out. The driver nearly clipped him before stopping and apologizing profusely.
The display of military precision came as Kemp announced he would be traveling to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Since standing up to former President Donald Trump, Kemp’s profile has increased and political watchers have hinted that Kemp is looking more and more like a potential candidate for national office.
