Donald Trump's Inauguration To Be Held Indoors Amid Forecast Of 'Severe Windchill' In Washington On Jan 20

Due to the severe windchill, the inaugural address and all other speeches will take place at the Capitol Rotunda, instead of being held outside the US Capitol facing the National Mall.

By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 17 Jan 2025 11:54 PM (IST)

Donald Trump said his inauguration ceremony has been moved indoors because of the forecast of severe windchill.
Source : PTI

US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Friday that his inauguration ceremony on January 20 will be held indoors due to the forecast of severe windchill next week in Washington.

The inaugural address and all other speeches will take place at the Capitol Rotunda, instead of being held outside the US Capitol facing the National Mall.

Donald Trump is set to be sworn in as the US president for a second term on Monday. The inaugural parade will also be held indoors in Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, along with all three inaugural balls, BBC reported.

"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 said in a post on Truth Social, a social media platform owned by him.

"The various Dignitaries and Guests will be brought into the Capitol. This will be a very beautiful experience for all, and especially for the large TV audience!" he said.

The president-elect further said that Capital One Arena will be opened on Monday for live viewing of the "historic event" and to host the Presidential Parade.

"I will join the crowd at Capital One, after my Swearing In. All other events will remain the same, including the Victory Rally at Capital One Arena, on Sunday at 3 P.M. (Doors open at 1 P.M.—Please arrive early!), and all three Inaugural Balls on Monday evening," Trump said.

In his post, Trump highlighted that it was his responsibility to ensure people's protection. "But before we even begin, we have to think of the Inauguration itself. The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the windchill factor, could take temperatures into severe record lows," he said.

He stressed that he does not want to see "people hurt, or injured, in any way,” as an Arctic blast will sweep the country. "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!)," he added.

The last president who was sworn-in indoors was Ronald Reagan in 1985. His inaugural ceremony was also hit by the cold weather. 

Extreme cold conditions have been forecast in Washington DC on Trump's inauguration day, with mercury expected to hit a low of -11 Celsius, and a high of -5 Celsius, BBC reported.

Moving the event indoors would limit the capacity for Trump's ceremony, who is known to closely monitor attendance figures of his events. He had previously claimed after his first inauguration that the ceremony was attended by "million and half people".

Published at : 17 Jan 2025 11:53 PM (IST)
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