Michael Huber 
A pastor, his eyes closed, preaches his heart out for history. A former president spots an acquaintance, then grins and winks. Tech billionaires, all in a row, look on with intent expressions. Supreme Court justices scan the room.
Any crowd is, by definition, a collection of faces. But in those moments when history pivots, the expressions of the people on the scene — the grins and frowns, the seriousness and levity, the hope and trepidation — can, taken together, form their own indelible collage of the day. And so it went with the faces captured by the lenses of Associated Press and pool photographers on Monday at President Donald Trump’s second inauguration.
In live video coverage and in still photos, those packed into the Capitol Dome for the inaugural of Trump and Vice President JD Vance offered up a Whitman’s Sampler of human emotions. They weren’t exactly a cross-section of American life, to be fair, but a substantial amount of the many American emotions of the moment were offered up, triangulated by photographers and frozen in time.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden greet Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff upon their arrival at the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
For his part, Trump varied. At moments he was dead serious and looked almost glowering. At others — including when posing for phone photographs just after his speech — he grinned from ear to ear. First lady Melania Trump was at his side, but her expressions were hard to see thanks to a wide-brimmed hat that obscured her eyes.
You could also learn something from the likes of Democratic Sens. Charles Schumer of New York and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. Trump opponents, they nevertheless offered up collegial faces to the public — Klobuchar in particular, given that her role as a leader of the inaugural planning committee kept her on camera alongside Trump frequently on Monday.
And the former presidents? Joe Biden smiled graciously through it all. George W. Bush seemed to be constantly grinning and enjoying himself thoroughly, bantering with everyone around him. Barack Obama, like Trump, was equal parts smiling and interactive and completely somber. Bill Clinton flashed not infrequent smiles, as did Hillary Clinton — whose bare-knuckles battle with Trump in 2016 left rhetorical bruises that lasted for years. That despite Trump’s assessment of her later in the afternoon: “She didn’t look too happy today.”
From left, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush and former President Barack Obama, arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)
From left, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former President George W. Bush, speak following the 60th Presidential Inauguration for President Donald Trump, in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Shawn Thew/Pool photo via AP)
The owners of faces not instantly recognizable to the world offered a range of emotions, too. The young woman singing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” with her eyes watering. The Secret Service agent with the furrowed brow waiting for a departing president and a president-elect to come outside and get in a limo. The crowd outside the event, replete with red MAGA caps, faces awash in enthusiasm.
Whatever the politics, whatever the mood, whatever the emotion, faces reveal humanity. Looking at these particular American faces, on this most formal and seismic of days, reminded us of that all over again.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., and his wife, Kelly Johnson, clap 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)
Susie Wiles and Miriam Adelson arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)
Rupert Murdoch arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)
Guests including Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk, arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)
Elon Musk arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)
President Donald Trump kisses first lady Melania Trump during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)
From left, Eric Trump, Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr., arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)
Barron Trump arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)
Pastor of 180 Church Lorenzo Sewell, delivers a benediction after President Donald Trump was sworn in during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Saul Loeb/Pool photo via AP)
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance listen to Christopher Macchio sing during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)
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Ted Anthony is the director of new storytelling and newsroom innovation for The Associated Press. Follow him at http://x.com/anthonyted
