• Dunedin publican Michael McCarrigan attended Donald Trump’s second inauguration.
• The event was relocated indoors due to weather and security.
• McCarrigan, a Trump backer, cited shared values for his support.

A staunch Kiwi Donald Trump supporter travelled to America and braved sub-zero temperatures to witness the president’s second inauguration.

Dunedin publican Michael McCarrigan, owner of The Duke of Wellington, described the experience as unforgettable.

“Standing in a queue for two and a half hours in that weather was rough. But it was a wonderful event.”

US President-elect Donald Trump takes the oath of office during the 60th presidential inauguration. Photo / Getty Images

“Forget about what side you’re on. It’s like attending the coronation of a king or queen - it’s just a great event.”

Attendees braved sub-zero conditions for hours, enduring icy winds while waiting to pass through multiple security checkpoints.

Security in Washington was unprecedented, with police officers from across the United States, National Guard troops, FBI agents on watch and drones patrolling the skies.

McCarrigan said Washington DC was “basically in lockdown” with checkpoints, ID verifications, and thorough bag checks required to gain access.

“It was like walking through an airport scanner times 10.”

Despite conditions, he said there was a sense of camaraderie among the waiting attendees.

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Dunedin publican Michael McCarrigan travelled to Washington DC and braved freezing temperatures to witness Trump's inauguration. Photo / Michael McCarrigan

“It was great to talk to people [in the queue]. Just a good mix of people, young and old, with no aggro because everyone was like-minded.”

The inauguration is usually held on the National Mall, though the event was relocated indoors due to weather and security, limiting attendance to about 600 invited guests.

McCarrigan said he was grouped with a number of people that were escorted by the National Guard to a nearby bar to watch the inauguration on television.

Describing himself as a conservative, McCarrigan said his support for Trump stemmed more from shared values than admiration for the former president’s leadership style.

“I vote National back home. I like Chris Luxon and David Seymour. For me, it’s about values - things like personal responsibility and a strong economy.

“A lot of people in New Zealand don’t openly show their support for Trump because it’s not good for their workplace environment, they don’t want to be cancelled.”

McCarrigan said he was not deterred by Trump’s gaffe in his inauguration speech, when he incorrectly claimed that an American split the atom - in fact, the scientific milestone was achieved by New Zealander Ernest Rutherford in 1917.

“Who cares? It was probably written by a speechwriter. He wouldn’t even know who Ernest Rutherford was. People shouldn’t get hung up on things like that,” said McCarrigan.