President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday will take place inside the U.S. Capitol instead of outdoors, marking the first time in 40 years that U.S. presidential inaugural ceremonies have been relocated indoors due to extreme weather conditions.
This historic decision was announced after an Arctic blast swept across the country, bringing dangerously cold temperatures to Washington, D.C.
“There is an Arctic blast sweeping the country. I don’t want to see people hurt or injured in any way,” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform on Friday. He added, “Therefore, I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda.”
The last time such a change was made was during the second inauguration of former President Ronald Reagan in 1985, when the wind chill plummeted to between minus 10 and minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 23 to minus 29 degrees Celsius). Monday’s forecast for Washington predicts a temperature of 19°F (minus 7°C) at the time of Trump’s swearing-in, with wind chills expected to make it feel even colder.
To accommodate his supporters, Trump announced that the ceremony would be broadcast live on screens inside the Capital One Arena, a professional basketball and hockey venue in downtown Washington that can hold 20,000 people. The parade, initially planned to proceed down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House with marching bands and other groups, has also been moved to the arena. However, details of how the parade will be organized in an indoor sports venue remain unclear.
Trump confirmed his plans to join the crowd at the arena after taking the oath of office. This decision will limit the number of people able to view the ceremony in person, as only a fraction of the anticipated crowd can be accommodated indoors. Over 220,000 ticketed guests were originally scheduled to watch the ceremony from the U.S. Capitol grounds, and an additional 250,000 unticketed members of the public were expected to gather on the National Mall. Many of these individuals will now be unable to witness the event in person.
One such disappointed supporter is Tammy Matte, a school secretary from Laurel, Mississippi, who had planned to attend the ceremony with her husband, Paul, and their high school-aged son, Michael. The family canceled their nearly 1,000-mile road trip after learning they wouldn’t be able to see Trump in person. “We don’t feel it’s worth it not to see the ceremony in person,” Matte said.
The National Park Service, which oversees the National Mall, has yet to announce whether crowds will still be permitted to gather on the Mall to watch the indoor ceremony on video screens that were previously set up for the outdoor event. Meanwhile, Trump’s team has adjusted plans to ensure the event proceeds smoothly and securely under the new arrangements. The U.S. Secret Service is coordinating with Trump’s inauguration committee and the congressional committee overseeing the ceremony to revise security protocols in response to the severe weather.
Trump’s decision to relocate the inauguration indoors eliminates the possibility of crowd-size comparisons, a controversial topic from his first inauguration in 2017. During that event, media reports suggested that the crowd on the National Mall was significantly smaller than the one for former President Barack Obama’s first swearing-in ceremony in 2009, sparking a heated response from Trump and his administration.
While extreme cold is a rarity for inaugural ceremonies, it has played a role in several historical events. At President Ulysses S. Grant’s second inauguration in 1873, the temperature dropped to 4°F (minus 15°C), with gusting winds rendering his address nearly inaudible. Several cadets and midshipmen collapsed due to the bitter cold as they stood outside without overcoats. That day remains Washington’s coldest March day on record. Similarly, President William Henry Harrison’s inauguration in 1841 took place under wet and chilly conditions, during which he delivered the longest inaugural address in U.S. history without wearing a hat or coat. Harrison later succumbed to pneumonia and died one month into his term, the shortest presidency in American history.
Even in more recent times, frigid weather has tested inaugural planners. President Obama’s first inauguration in 2009 saw temperatures rise only to 29°F (minus 1.5°C). However, the event proceeded outdoors, drawing one of the largest crowds in U.S. history.
Trump’s inauguration, though scaled back in terms of in-person attendance, will include a rally at the Capital One Arena on Sunday, the eve of the swearing-in ceremony. The rally is expected to energize supporters and set the tone for his second term in office.
While the change in plans may disappoint some attendees, the decision prioritizes public safety and reflects the realities of winter weather.
As Trump prepares to take the oath of office indoors, his inauguration will serve as a reminder of the unpredictable challenges faced by inaugural planners and the resilience required to adapt to changing circumstances.
Despite the logistical adjustments, the ceremony remains a historic moment in the democratic tradition, showcasing the peaceful transfer of power and the enduring strength of the American presidency.
This momentous occasion underscores the importance of flexibility and preparedness, ensuring the safety and comfort of all involved while preserving the dignity and significance of the event.
