A blanket of snow surrounds the U.S. Capitol as news breaks that President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration will be moved indoors due to the dangerously cold weather forecasted for Monday in Washington, January 17, 2025. Reuters



In a rare change of plans, President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony will be held indoors due to dangerously cold weather, marking the first time in 40 years that a U.S. presidential swearing-in will be moved from the outdoors. On January 17, 2025, Trump's office announced that the event, scheduled for January 20, would take place inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda instead of the National Mall, where crowds typically gather.

Trump shared his concerns about the harsh winter conditions, saying, "There is an Arctic blast sweeping the country. I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way." He further confirmed on his social media platform, Truth Social, that the inauguration, including prayers and speeches, would be delivered inside the Capitol.

The decision to move the event indoors comes after weather forecasts predicted a chilly 19°F (-7°C) temperature during the inauguration, with the wind chill making it feel even colder. The last time an inauguration was held indoors due to severe cold was in 1985 for Ronald Reagan’s second term, when wind chills dropped to -10°F to -20°F (-23°C to -29°C).

For many, the change in venue means a dramatic shift in how the inauguration will unfold. Instead of the traditional outdoor setting on the National Mall, where over 200,000 ticketed guests would have attended, the event will be relocated to the U.S. Capitol. Supporters of the new president can still watch the ceremony, but the venue has now been limited to Capital One Arena, an indoor sports facility with a seating capacity of 20,000. Trump also stated that the presidential parade, usually seen marching down Pennsylvania Avenue, would be moved to the same venue, though it’s unclear how the parade will be adapted for an indoor setting.

Trump further clarified that after being sworn in, he would join supporters at the arena for a rally. While this move will make the ceremony more intimate, it significantly reduces the number of people who will experience it in person. A large crowd of over 250,000 unticketed attendees who were expected to gather outside will now be unable to witness the inauguration on-site. Some people, like Tammy Matte from Mississippi, who had tickets for the event, decided to cancel their trips because of the shift. "We don’t feel it’s worth it not to see the ceremony in person," said Matte.

The National Park Service, which oversees the National Mall, has yet to announce if the public will still be allowed to gather outside to watch the indoor ceremony on video screens. Trump’s inauguration committee is coordinating closely with the U.S. Secret Service to ensure the security of the event, adapting plans due to the weather conditions.

While the weather may have prompted a change in location, cold temperatures have historically been a part of U.S. inaugurations. In 2009, Barack Obama's first inauguration was cold, with temperatures only reaching 29°F (-1.5°C). Past inaugurations have seen challenges due to frigid conditions as well, with President William Henry Harrison’s long inaugural speech in 1841 potentially contributing to his untimely death from pneumonia shortly after.

The inauguration will now unfold with a smaller crowd but will still reflect the significance of the event, even as winter’s chill sweeps through Washington.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Pakistan halts Indian visas After Deadly Kashmir Attack On Tourists

Pakistan has taken strong steps against India following a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists. The....

China Opens Moon Rocks To Global Scientists, Including the US

China has agreed to let scientists from six countries, including the United States, study Moon rocks it collected during its....

Israel Admits Killing UN Worker In Gaza After Initial Denial

Israel's military has admitted that its troops killed a United Nations (UN) worker in the Gaza Strip last month, after....

Trump Criticizes Putin Over Deadly Russian Strikes On Kyiv

US President Donald Trump has expressed his anger over the deadly Russian missile strikes on Kyiv, Ukraine, stating that he....

Thousands Gather To Bid Farewell To Pope Francis In Vatican

Pope Francis’ body was laid in state at St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, allowing thousands of Catholic pilgrims to pay....

India Calls In Pakistan Envoy Over Kashmir Attack That Killed 26

India took strong diplomatic steps against Pakistan after a deadly attack in Kashmir. The government summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat in....

India Halts Indus Treaty, Closes Attari Border Over Militant Attack

India has taken strong action against Pakistan following a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. This attack killed....

6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Near Istanbul, Causes Panic

A strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Istanbul on Wednesday, causing panic in the Turkish city. The quake....

Gaza Health Ministry Defends Accuracy Of Death Toll Data

At al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Alam Hirzallah faces a heartbreaking task: registering the deaths of his cousin’s wife and....

World’s Longest Tunnel Connects Denmark and Germany Soon

A massive underwater tunnel is being built under the Baltic Sea. It will connect Denmark and Germany and is set....

Global Leaders, Including Trump And Zelensky, To Attend Pope's Funeral

Pope Francis will be buried this Saturday at St Peter’s Square in Rome. The Vatican confirmed this on Tuesday. Thousands....

Deadly Ambush in Kashmir: 26 Tourists Killed in Shocking Militant Attack

Gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in the beautiful Baisaran Valley of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. At....