President-elect Donald Trump said he is moving his inauguration indoors Monday due to the freezing weather expected in Washington, D.C.
Trump said he’ll be sworn in and deliver his inauguration address inside the Capitol Rotunda.
“The various Dignitaries and Guests will be brought into the Capitol,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This will be a very beautiful experience for all, and especially for the large TV audience!”
Workers build a stage in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, Jan. 17, 2025, for the 60th Presidential Inauguration which was moved indoors because of cold temperatures.
Morry Gash/AP
“We will open Capital One Arena on Monday for LIVE viewing of this Historic event, and to host the Presidential Parade,” Trump added. “I will join the crowd at Capital One, after my Swearing In.”
Due to this change, the “vast majority of ticketed guests will not be able to attend the ceremonies in person,” according to the Joint Inaugural Committee. “Those with tickets for the Presidential Platform and members of Congress will be able to attend in person.”
“We strongly suggest people who are in Washington for the event attend other indoor events at indoor venues of their choice to watch the inauguration,” the committee said.
A rehearsal takes place in front of the U.S. Capitol ahead of the presidential inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, in Washington, Jan. 12, 2025.
Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters
A spokesperson for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies said the committee was honoring Trump’s request to move the ceremonies inside. The National Special Security Event D.C. Joint Information Center said the Secret Service is working with its partners “to adapt our security plans as needed.”
Crews were seen building the new inauguration stage in the Capitol Rotunda on Friday afternoon.
Workers prepare the stage in the U.S. Capitol rotunda for President-elect Donald Trump’s 2nd term inauguration, Jan. 17, 2025, in Washington.
Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images
Workers build a stage in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, Jan. 17, 2025, for the 60th Presidential Inauguration which was moved indoors because of cold temperatures.
Morry Gash/AP
This inauguration is forecast to be the coldest in 40 years.
A quick-moving storm could bring some snow to D.C. on Sunday afternoon.
Workers continue with the finishing touches on the presidential reviewing stand on Pennsylvania outside the White House, Jan. 16, 2025, in Washington, ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Jon Elswick/AP
When Trump is sworn in at noon on Monday, the temperature will be about 18 or 19 degrees. Due to the wind, the wind chill — what temperature it feels like — will be between 5 and 10 degrees.
“I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way,” Trump said on Truth Social.
A member of the U.S. Secret Service closes a security gate near the presidential Inauguration parade review stand on Pennsylvania Avenue on the north side of the White House, Jan. 16, 2025, in Washington.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985 was also moved inside due to the weather.
The temperature that morning fell to a low of 4 degrees below zero. The temperature was just 7 degrees at noon, marking the coldest January Inauguration Day on record. Reagan’s parade was also canceled.
President Reagan is sworn in by Chief Justice Warren Burger in the Capitol Rotunda in a public inauguration ceremony, Jan. 20, 1985, in Washington.
Bill Creighton/Bettman Archive via Getty Images