ATLANTA — President Donald Trump has arrived in Atlanta for the National Championship game.
Air Force 1 landed at Dobbins Air Reserve Base just before 6 p.m. and then Trump was rushed to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown for the big game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Trump made to the stadium by 6:45 p.m.
President is in the building..all gates open at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) January 8, 2018
Local law enforcement shut down Interstate 75 between Dobbins and Marietta Street as the motorcade swept the president to the stadium.
A small crowd of people gathered outside the base to see Trump arrive.
[PHOTOS: President Trump attends National Championship game]
Tens of thousands of fans filling the $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta greeted Trump with cheers and a smattering of boos as ROTC members escorted him onto the field for the national anthem. The president stood with his hand over his heart and an American flag pin on his lapel, and sang a few words as Georgia's Zac Brown Band and a gospel choir performed the anthem.
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The president watched the game from a private box overlooking the Alabama sideline flanked by ROTC students. The Tuscaloosa News reported that he was scheduled to appear on the Alabama radio broadcast during the game.
Just before 10 p.m., during halftime of the game, Trump left to return to Washington.
Joining the President on the flight was former governor and now-Agricultural Sec. Sonny Perdue. Perdue joined Trump at an event in Nashville prior to the game.
A small group of protesters gathered outside the stadium during the game. There was a spot setup for protesters to gather.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
The elite @SecretService #countersniper team deployed for the #presidential visit to the game. Our exclusive presidential protection behind the scenes coverage @ 6 @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/1ZPSk29lQU
— Mark Winne (@MarkWinneWSB) January 8, 2018
Inside the #President's suite @ @MBStadium with hard charging @SecretService Agent Dee Neely. Exclusive behind the scenes look at preparing to protect the president at the game @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/tmZ3T4LAJA
— Mark Winne (@MarkWinneWSB) January 8, 2018
The view from the President’s suite as a Secret Service K-9 unit sweeps the room. @wsbtv at 6. #UGA2ATL pic.twitter.com/SYGdJIJlWg
— Matt Serafin WSB-TV (@MattSerafin) January 8, 2018
First Safety, Then Football!
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) January 8, 2018
We won't tell you who we think will win the #CFPNationalChampionship, @AlabamaFTBL or @FootballUGA but we will say we want everyone attending to have a safe and enjoyable evening! pic.twitter.com/cwsSiTHjBc
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