WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Amy Klobuchar took the stage Monday to usher in the “peaceful transfer of power” to President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

The Minnesota Democrat didn’t support Trump and could have turned down the opportunity to speak, but as chair of the bipartisan Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, she followed through on her speaking and planning responsibilities for the event.

“This ceremony marks what will soon be 250 years of our democracy,” Klobuchar said. “It is the moment when leaders, elevated by the will of the people, promise to be faithful to our Constitution, to cherish and defend it. It is the moment when they become, as we all should be, the guardians of our country.”

During her 2021 address at the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Klobuchar spoke warmly of the two fellow Democrats and celebrated their victories. But the senior senator spoke in a more defiant tone Monday, highlighting the importance of the “obligation to stand our ground when we must and find common ground when we can.”

“With everything swirling around us — the hot mess of division — it is on all of us, to quote an incredible songwriter who just happened to be born in my state, to ensure that our nation’s democracy is our ‘shelter from the storm,’” she said, referencing a song by Bob Dylan.

Klobuchar was the only Democrat who spoke but not the only Minnesotan who had a front-row seat to Trump’s inauguration. Though he did not speak, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer sat on the opposite end of the stage.

“House Republicans are fully committed to making his America First vision a reality and are ready to hit the ground running on day one,” Emmer said in a statement after the ceremony.

Also in attendance were Minnesota’s other three Republican members of Congress, who backed Trump for president.