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Donald J. Trump was sworn in to serve as U.S. President for the second time on Monday, Jan. 20, drawing reactions from around the world, but also from some of Colorado’s lawmakers.

Trump named Colorado several times during his campaign for presidency, and visited Aurora in October to speak about immigration and the gang violence reported at troubled apartments in the city. Those apartments are now under an emergency closure order, and the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agency said in December that 16 people arrested in connection to an armed apartment invasion were suspected Tren de Aragua members or associates.

However, the president mentioned Colorado just hours before his inauguration, noting the gang issues.

“Look at what’s happened with Venezuela, where they’re sending these gangs in and they’re taking over apartment complexes in Colorado and then cutting off the fingers of a man who had the nerve and desire to call the police,” Trump said during his Sunday “Victory Rally.”

Trump could have been referencing a case out of Denver in October 2024 wherein two men were arrested for holding their roommate hostage and amputating one of his fingers. Denver police told FOX31 at the time that officers were investigating to see if the incident was gang-related.

Here’s what Colorado politicians had to say about Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

7th Congressional District Rep. Brittany Pettersen, Democrat

“The inauguration marks a cornerstone of our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power,” Pettersen wrote on X. 

“Biden said it best at (the State of the Union) – “You can’t love your country only when you win.” While this is far from what we wanted to see, I will still try to work with the new administration when possible,” Pettersen said. “However, I am also ready for the fight ahead to protect our freedoms, our democracy, and increase opportunity for working people.”