20/01/2025

Syriac political leader Bassam Ishak invited to attend inauguration of US President Trump

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bassam Ishak, President of the Syriac National Council of Syria (SSNC) and Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) Representative in Washington, D.C., confirmed receiving an official invitation to attend the inauguration ceremony of US President Donald Trump.

Ishak shared that he, along with Robert Yohannon of the American Syriac Union (ASU), had been invited to the event. The ceremony, organized by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, distributed over 220,000 tickets, though attendance was significantly scaled down due to extraordinary circumstances.

Constitutional Protocol and Weather Adjustments

As mandated by the 20th Amendment to the US Constitution, the president-elect takes the oath of office by noon on 20 January. This year, freezing temperatures prompted the rare relocation of the ceremony indoors to the Capitol Rotunda, a decision reminiscent of Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985 when severe cold also forced the event inside.

Attendance was limited to 700 individuals, significantly fewer than the typical 200,000. This marked a historic departure from tradition, ensuring safety and comfort amid the extreme weather conditions, which reached temperatures as low as -7°C.

Given the scaled-down nature of the event, Ishak emphasized the symbolic importance of his participation. His presence highlighted ongoing collaboration between Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) leaders and US policymakers, reflecting a commitment to diversity and inclusion on the global stage.