CV NEWS FEED // The swearing-in ceremony for President-elect Donald J. Trump will take place inside the United States Capitol Rotunda, a shift prompted by forecasts of dangerously low temperatures in Washington, D.C.
The decision was announced Jan. 17 by Trump, who cited concerns for the safety of attendees. The Inaugural Committee has confirmed the shift indoors, Fox News reported.
“There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country,” the President-elect wrote on Truth Social. “I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way. 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.”
Trump referenced the precedent set by Ronald Reagan’s 1985 inauguration, which was also moved indoors due to severe weather conditions.
The forecast for Jan. 20 indicates that it will be the coldest inauguration day since Reagan’s, with temperatures in D.C. dropping to the upper 20s, with wind chills. Additionally, a winter storm is expected to bring the possibility of snow Jan. 19.
Trump encouraged those planning to attend to “dress warmly.”
He also stated that the Capital One Arena will be open for live viewing of the inauguration and will host the Presidential Parade, with Trump planning to join the crowd there following the swearing-in ceremony.
“This will be a very beautiful experience for all,” Trump wrote, “and especially for the large TV audience!”