U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn into office this Monday inside the Capitol Rotunda, as severe weather conditions have necessitated moving the ceremony indoors.
“Forecasts for Washington, D.C., combined with wind chill, could bring record-breaking low temperatures,” Trump shared on Truth Social. “An Arctic blast is sweeping across the nation. I want to ensure everyone’s safety.”
The Rotunda, located at the center of the Capitol, is designated as the alternative location for ceremonies in case of inclement weather. The last time it was used for an inauguration was in 1985, during President Ronald Reagan’s second term. Monday is expected to be the coldest inauguration day since then.
The event will be attended by outgoing President Joe Biden, members of Congress, dignitaries, and other prominent guests, who will witness the ceremony from inside the Capitol. However, the relocation affects the 250,000 ticketed attendees originally set to watch from the Capitol grounds, as well as the additional crowds expected in general admission areas and along the parade route from the Capitol to the White House.
Trump suggested that those unable to attend at the Capitol could follow the event at the Capital One Arena, a venue with a capacity of 20,000 people, where he plans to hold a rally on Sunday. He also announced that he would return to the arena after the ceremony to host a modified inaugural parade.
Despite the relocation of the main ceremony, other inaugural events, including Sunday’s rally and the three official inaugural balls scheduled for Monday night, will proceed as planned.
The National Weather Service forecasts a temperature of 22 °F (-6 °C) at noon on Monday, making it one of the coldest inaugurations on record, surpassed only by Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985, which saw temperatures drop to 7 °F (-14 °C). By comparison, Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration had a temperature of 28 °F (-2 °C).
“The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies has approved the request from the president-elect and his team to move the 60th inaugural ceremony indoors to the Capitol Rotunda,” a spokesperson announced on Friday.
