Donald Trump inauguration: Booing speaks poorly of those in crowd, says Democrat Chuck Schumer

The most senior Democrat in the Senate has condemned supporters of Donald Trump who booed at his inauguration speech in which he called for an inclusive America.

Chuck Schumer was among those who spoke during Friday’s inauguration ceremony, and his slot was scheduled just minutes before Donald Trump took the oath of office.

“We Americans have always been a forward-looking, problem-solving, optimistic, patriotic and decent people,” said Mr Schumer, the only Democrat to address the crowds.

“Whatever our race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity; whether we are immigrant or native-born, whether we live with disabilities or do not, in wealth or in poverty; we are all exceptional in our commonly held yet fierce devotion to our country, and in our willingness to sacrifice our time, energy, and even our lives to making it a more perfect union.”

His remarks highlighted concerns about opponents of Mr Trump, that the man who campaigned using frequently harsh and divisive rhetoric, would not work to assuage people’s concerns and govern for all Americans. People are especially concerned about protecting reproductive rights, and the threat to minorities.

A number of those in the crowd, said to number up to 250,000, booed Mr Schumer’s comments.

On Sunday, Mr Schumer strongly condemned those who had jeered him as he spoke.

“The fact that saying these things which are usually accepted by every American met the displeasure of the crowd doesn’t speak too kindly of that crowd,” Mr Schumer, from New York, told CNN. “Just the people who booed. I’m sure it wasn't most of them.”

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He added: “That speech, given with any other president, with any other audience, would have been cheered. It's not controversial language to say we're all Americans.

“It's not controversial language to reach out to others who might not be exactly like you. And so, the fact that people didn't like it speaks poorly of them, not of what I said in the speech.”