Trump's inauguration will include celebrations, high security and bone-chilling cold
CORRECTION: This story was updated to correct an inaccuracy in location of the Commander in Chief Ball, Liberty Ball and Starlight Ball.
In a ceremony driven indoors by frigid weather, Donald John Trump, 78, will take the oath of office and return to the White House as the nation’s 47th president on Jan. 20, the highlight of a four-day celebration that will include fireworks, processions, partisan rallies, ballroom parties and church services.
Because of extreme cold, the inauguration ceremony will take place inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, instead of the West Front of the Capitol, Trump said Friday on Truth Social.
"The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the windchill factor, could take temperatures into severe record lows," Trump said in his post. "If you decide to come, dress warmly!"
In Washington, you’ll feel temperatures near 20 degrees, with wind gusts up to 30 mph creating bitterly cold wind chills in the single digits all day, Paste BN reported. Temperatures will fall below zero at night, the National Weather Service said.
Here's the schedule leading up to Inauguration Day and what you can expect before and after Jan. 20.
Changes in ceremony locations
Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them.
Trump said the Capital One Arena, with a capacity of about 20,000, would open on Monday for live TV viewing of the ceremony and as the location of the Presidential Parade. He plans to visit the arena after being sworn in.
All other inaugural events will remain the same, Trump said, including the Victory Rally at the Capital One Arena at 3 p.m. Sunday, with doors opening at 1 p.m.
Alternatives are underway to let tens of thousands of people view the inauguration, the Washington Post reported.
If you're in Washington, besides being cold, you’ll see tens of thousands of spectators, 30 miles of temporary fencing and about 25,000 security personnel.
The inauguration comes after two attempts on Trump's life and two New Year's Day attacks on ordinary Americans, one in New Orleans and the other in Las Vegas.
Though security officials are concerned about lone-wolf or "copycat" attacks, they say there are no specific, coordinated threats to the inauguration, Reuters reports.
Saturday, Jan. 18
The People's March on Washington is a large rally in opposition to Trump planned for Saturday, with thousands of participants expected.
- The President’s Reception and Fireworks | Trump National Golf Club, Washington, D.C., Potomac Falls, Virginia
- Cabinet Reception and Vice President’s Dinner | National Gallery of Art, Washington
Sunday, Jan. 19
- Wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier | Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia
- Make America Great Again Victory Rally | 3 p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington
- Trump speaks at candlelight dinner | National Building Museum, Washington
Monday, Jan. 20: Inauguration Day
This year, Inauguration Day coincides with a federal holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Carrie Underwood will sing "America the Beautiful" during Trump's inauguration, a Presidential Inaugural Committee spokesperson confirmed. She'll be accompanied by the Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club.
Rocker Kid Rock and 1970s-era disco band the Village People also will perform.
Inaugural events, some of which may change as plans are updated, include:
- Church service | St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square, Washington
- Tea with Joe and Jill Biden | The White House
- Swearing-In Ceremony | Noon at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda
- Farewell to the former president and vice president | Capitol
- US Capitol Departure Ceremony | Capitol
- The President’s Signing Room Ceremony | President’s Room near the Senate Chamber in the Capitol
- Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies Congressional Luncheon | National Statuary Hall in the Capitol
- Presidential review of troops | Capital Rotunda
The traditional parade down Pennsylvania Avenue won't happen. Instead, "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 posted on Truth Social.
- Oval Office Signing Ceremony | The White House
- Commander in Chief Ball | Walter E. Washington Convention Center | Washington
- Liberty Inaugural Ball | Walter E. Washington Convention Center | Washington
- Starlight Ball | Union Station | Washington
Trump is expected to speak at all three inaugural balls.
Tuesday, Jan. 21
- National Prayer Service | 11 a.m. at Washington National Cathedral
How will Trump take the oath of office?
The swearing-in ceremony will take place inside the Capitol Rotunda. Trump will put his left hand on the Bible, hold up his right hand and say:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
The oath is specified in Article II, Section 1, Clause 8 of the U.S. Constitution. In keeping with tradition, it will be administered by the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, John Roberts.
Reagan's inauguration was held indoors 40 years ago
The second inauguration of Ronald Reagan on Jan. 20, 1985, was forced indoors due to intense cold of about 7 degrees.
As Paste BN noted that day, "The USA's 50th inauguration today moves indoors – a victim of bong-chilling temperatures that threatened 350,000 invited guests and parade watchers."
CONTRIBUTING Doyle Rice, Joey Garrison, Fernando Cervantes Jr. and Kinsey Crowley
SOURCE Paste BN Network reporting and research; Reuters; Trump Vance Inaugural Committee; Greater Washington Board of Trade; Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies; washington.org; usa.gov; thewashingtonlobbyist.com
This story was updated to add new information and video.