In a surprising shift in tradition, President-elect Donald Trump has announced that his inauguration ceremony will be moved indoors, due to the severe cold weather sweeping across Washington, D.C.
This marks the first time in 40 years that an inauguration in the United States will not take place outdoors.
With temperatures expected to drop well below freezing, organizers made the unprecedented decision to hold the event inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Monday, January 20th.
Why the Move Indoors?
The move to relocate President-elect Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony comes as freezing temperatures and high wind chills have made it too dangerous for large crowds to gather outdoors.
Traditionally, presidential inaugurations have included a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue.
However, with the event being moved indoors, Trump’s inaugural parade has been relocated to Capital One Arena.
Trump, who emphasized the importance of ensuring public safety, shared his concerns on Truth Social:
“There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way,” Trump stated, reinforcing his stance.
The official weather forecast predicts Monday’s swearing-in will take place under bitter cold conditions.
Temperatures expected to hover around 19°F (about -7°C), though it will feel even colder due to the wind chill factor.
The Capitol Rotunda will serve as the ceremonial stage where the president-elect will take the oath of office, delivering his inaugural address along with other prayers and speeches.
Attendees will be allowed to watch inside the Capital One Arena, a basketball and hockey venue located in downtown Washington, which holds 20,000 spectators.
A Historic Shift in Inaugural Traditions
This move marks a significant departure from historical inauguration ceremonies that have traditionally relied on outdoor events.
- Barack Obama’s first inauguration in 2009 saw cold temperatures rising to around 29°F (about -1.5°C).
- During Ulysses S. Grant’s second inauguration on March 4, 1873, the morning low temperature was 4°F (-15°C), making it Washington’s coldest March day on record.
- It was noted that cadets and midshipmen had to stand outside without overcoats, some collapsed from the bitter cold, making the event difficult to manage.
