President Trump’s inauguration ceremony on Monday will take place indoors due to concerns over frigid temperatures hitting Washington DC. The actual ceremony and swearing-in will still take place at the U.S. Capitol Building but will be held in the Rotunda rather than the West Steps as is customary.
This move will be a disappointment for some but the consolation is that Capital One Arena, where Trump is holding a rally on Sunday, will be opened on Monday for a crowd to watch the inauguration. The newly sworn-in President plans to join the crowd after the ceremony as well, according to reports:
President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration will be moved indoors, he announced Friday, due to dangerously cold temperatures projected in the nation’s capital.
“I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda, as was used by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of very cold weather,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“We will open Capital One Arena on Monday for LIVE viewing of this Historic event, and to host the Presidential Parade. I will join the crowd at Capital One, after my Swearing In,” Trump added.
CNN reported earlier Friday that plans were underway for Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance to be sworn in in the Rotunda and that Trump’s team was in talks to potentially hold some of the festivities at the arena, where Trump will host a rally on Sunday.
Moving the ceremony indoors isn’t the worst outcome considering the weather will inevitably cause issues for those attending and security officials working the event. The change also allows for greater control in terms of security and the President-elect’s safety which is of the utmost importance.
The change is not unprecedented as Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration was also moved indoors for the same reason:
Officials are worried about the low temperatures being a health risk to attendees and guests — a concern Trump voiced on Friday.
“I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way. It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of Law Enforcement, First Responders, Police K9s and even horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters that will be outside for many hours on the 20th (In any event, if you decide to come, dress warmly!),” Trump posted.
The last president to be sworn in indoors was Reagan in 1985, when daytime temperatures dipped to 7 degrees with a windchill of -25. Reagan took the oath of office inside the Capitol rotunda. His inaugural parade was canceled.
Visit the inauguration schedule page for more information on all events happening this weekend.
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