Jan 17, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; Preparations at the U.S. Capitol ahead of the 2025 Presidential Inauguration.
© Jasper Colt-USA TODAY NETWORK
(Washington, DC) – Bitter, dangerously cold temperatures are forcing President-elect Trump’s inauguration ceremony to be held indoors. It’s just the third time in US history that the swearing in ceremony will be moved inside — most recently it was for President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985. Earlier, in 1909, a blizzard blanketed Washington, DC with ten inches of snow — forcing President Howard Taft’s inauguration to be held in the Senate chamber.
Trump confirmed the move on his Truth Social account. Instead of outside on the Capitol steps, Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will be sworn-in inside the building’s rotunda. There will also be a watch party and the inauguration parade held at Capital One Arena — home of the NBA’s Wizards and NHL’s Capitals.
When he’s sworn in — raising his right hand — Trump will place his left hand on a bible given to him by his late mother in 1955. It marked Trump’s graduation from primary school. The Lincoln bible — first used by President Lincoln in 1861 and again by Trump and President Obama — will also be used.
