Donald Trump’s inauguration indoors. Due to the extremely low temperatures predicted for the nation’s capital, President-elect Donald Trump declared on Friday that his inauguration would now take place indoors.
Because of the extremely chilly weather, Trump said on Truth Social, “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.”
“On Monday, we will open Capital One Arena to host the Presidential Parade and to watch this historic occasion LIVE. After I’m sworn in, I’ll be at Capital One to join the crowd,” Trump continued.
Trump’s team was in discussions to maybe have some of the celebrations at the arena, where Trump will hold a rally on Sunday, earlier Friday. Plans were also underway for Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance to be sworn in in the Rotunda.
In a statement, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies stated that it will comply with the President-elect’s and his Presidential Inaugural Committee’s request to relocate the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies to the Rotunda within the U.S. Capitol.
Law enforcement organizations strive to develop fresh strategies.
According to two law enforcement sources involved with the planning, the Secret Service and other organizations, such as the US Capitol Police and DC, are attempting to ascertain how relocating the inauguration and parade indoors will alter security arrangements for Monday.
It used to take months for agencies to create a new security plan, but now they only have three days. The Department of Homeland Security designated the inauguration as a National Special Security Event, which sets off a multifaceted government strategy, and the agencies have been preparing for it since early 2024.
Approximately 25,000 law enforcement and military personnel were expected to attend Trump’s inauguration, which was anticipated to draw hundreds of thousands of ticketed people.
In preparation for Trump’s now-canceled outdoor inauguration and parade down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House, more than 30 miles of fencing—more than ever before erected for such an event—were still being set up as of Friday morning. The purpose of the fencing was to filter crowds through security checkpoints.
According to people involved with the planning, law enforcement organizations are developing a new strategy for Trump’s inauguration now that the ceremony and parade will take place indoors, which may simplify security in certain ways.
The inauguration will now take place in the US Capitol’s Rotunda, which can accommodate around 700 people. According to one congressional source, the final arrangement is still being finalized, but only members of Congress, their wives, and VIPs will be allowed in.
The event’s security will mirror how the US Capitol Police, working with the Secret Service and others, guard the building and its environs during State of the Union speeches. The public has been redirected to the Capitol One Arena and will no longer be able to access it.
According to law enforcement officials, nearly 200,000 people purchased tickets for the inauguration, despite the arena’s capacity of just over 20,000. The “weather plan precludes the vast majority of ticketed guests from attending the ceremonies in person,” the Capitol’s Sergeant at Arms informed legislative offices. Additionally, they stated that people who are unable to attend could still receive inaugural tickets as mementos.
The Secret Service, DC police, and other agencies are still figuring out security arrangements for the arena and the surrounding area.
Low temperatures scared officials.
Trump expressed concern on Friday that the low temperatures could pose a health danger to attendees and guests.
“I don’t want to witness any kind of harm or injury to others. Tens of thousands of law enforcement personnel, first responders, police K9s, horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters will be outside for several hours on the 20th. If you want to attend, please wear warm clothing.
In 1985, when daylight temperatures dropped to 7 degrees with a wind chill of -25, Reagan became the last president to take the oath of office indoors. Within the Capitol rotunda, Reagan took the oath of office. His first parade was called off.
According to the Miller Center at the University of Virginia, President William Henry Harrison is generally thought to have had a cold at his 1841 inauguration, when he delivered a two-hour speech without a coat or hat. A month after his inauguration, he passed away from pneumonia.
