Trump’s Inauguration Moved Indoors Due to Severe Cold Weather
Donald Trump has confirmed that his inauguration as U.S. president on Monday will take place indoors due to the expected extreme cold.
The decision disrupts plans for a grand outdoor ceremony, marking the start of his second term as president.
“There is an Arctic blast sweeping the country,” Trump announced on his Truth Social platform. “As a result, I’ve directed that the Inauguration Address, prayers, and other speeches be held in the Capitol Rotunda.”
This change means Trump will forgo the traditional outdoor ceremony on the Capitol steps overlooking the National Mall, which typically hosts a massive audience.
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Instead, the event will be held in the Rotunda, a historic and ornate space beneath the Capitol dome that can only accommodate a few hundred attendees.
Forecasts for Washington predict freezing temperatures on Monday, with strong winds intensifying the cold.
Preparations had been underway for a large turnout, including thousands of chairs arranged on the Mall for visitors. However, most attendees will now have to watch the ceremony on television.
This marks the first time such a contingency has been implemented since Ronald Reagan’s 1985 inauguration, which was also moved indoors due to dangerously cold conditions.
Trump stated that “various dignitaries and guests” will attend the Capitol event, which will include prayers, the inaugural address, and the national anthem.
He invited supporters to view the ceremony via a live feed at Washington’s Capital One Arena, where he plans to make an appearance following the swearing-in ceremony.
At 78 years old, Trump will be the oldest person to assume the presidency. Despite the changes, he expressed enthusiasm for the revised format, describing it as “a very beautiful experience for all, especially the large TV audience.”
Capital One Arena, which can hold up to 20,000 people, will also host the Presidential Parade after the inauguration. Trump emphasized his commitment to engaging with supporters in person during the post-ceremony celebrations.
Weather Impacts and Historical Context
The cold snap recalls historical weather-related challenges during presidential inaugurations. In 1841, William Henry Harrison famously ignored bitter weather and delivered his address outdoors without a coat or hat. Tragically, he contracted pneumonia and died a month later.
Washington’s heightened security preparations for the event include metal barriers and approximately 25,000 law enforcement and military personnel, as confirmed by U.S. Secret Service agent Matt McCool.
While some visitors expressed disappointment over the relocation, others, like Trump supporter Matthew Medill from California, remained optimistic.
“There will still be a lot of excitement and jubilation—weather won’t dampen the spirit,” Medill said.
This decision also sidesteps comparisons to Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, where crowd sizes became a contentious topic.
Trump had claimed over 1.5 million attendees, surpassing Barack Obama’s 2009 crowd, but aerial images debunked those assertions.
Although this year’s indoor setting eliminates the traditional address to a vast outdoor audience, Trump remains focused on delivering a visually striking and memorable event tailored for television viewers and supporters alike.
AFP