WASHINGTON — The upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump has been shifted indoors due to the forecast of sub-zero temperatures expected for Monday in Washington, D.C. This decision marks a significant shift, as it will be the first time in four decades that a president will take the oath of office inside the Capitol Rotunda, preventing most visitors from witnessing the ceremony in person. Arrangements are being made for some attendees to gather at a local basketball and hockey arena to watch the proceedings from there.
The Capitol Rotunda, prepared as an alternative location for inaugurations during inclement weather, will host the swearing-in ceremony. This is reminiscent of 1985 when President Ronald Reagan’s inauguration was likewise moved indoors due to harsh conditions. With the forecast indicating the coldest temperatures for Inauguration Day since then, officials are preparing the Rotunda for an event that was last shifted indoors nearly 40 years ago. As of Friday, workers were busy setting up a small platform in the Rotunda for the ceremony.
The U.S. Capitol Police announced that, due to the extreme cold, uninhibited access to the outdoors at the Capitol would be closed off, which means those hoping to gather outside to see Trump taking the sworn oath will not have that opportunity this year.
How cold is it expected to get on Monday? According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are forecasted to drop to around 22 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately -6 degrees Celsius) around noon when Trump takes office. This temperature is notably warmer than the record lows faced during Reagan’s second inauguration, which saw a chilling 7 degrees Fahrenheit (-14 degrees Celsius). Trump, sharing concerns about the weather on his Truth Social platform, remarked on the harsh conditions across the country and stressed that he did not want anyone attending to be injured due to the cold.
In comparison, Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009 recorded temperatures of 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-2 degrees Celsius) and Joe Biden’s a balmy 42 degrees Fahrenheit (5.5 degrees Celsius) in 2021. Some political figures took to social media to humorously comment on the weather situation, like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who posted a photo of himself in a snowstorm with a quip about weather not being a barrier.
Historically speaking, this temperature is similar to that of John F. Kennedy’s inauguration 64 years ago, during which the temperature also hovered around 22 degrees, despite heavy snowfall that had to be cleared overnight. Interestingly, William Howard Taft also had his inauguration indoors back in 1909 due to 10 inches of snow during a time when the event was still held on March 4.
As for public attendance, Trump mentioned on social platforms that various dignitaries and guests would be included in the Rotunda for the ceremony, but the total number and identities of these attendees remain unclear. A recent communication from the U.S. House’s sergeant at arms indicated that most outdoor seating has now been eliminated, turning those tickets into commemorative ones. Decisions regarding ticket holders for sections traditionally designated for outdoor viewing are still pending.
Trump noted that Capital One Arena will allow “LIVE viewing of this Historic event” and will reopen on Monday following his scheduled rally there on Sunday. However, details on acquiring a seat for the arena viewing are yet to be released.
As for the traditionally held parade, Trump clarified that this year, the Capital One Arena would host it instead, a deviation from the norm. Additionally, he indicated that after taking the oath of office, he would join the spectators in the Capital One Arena. The Joint Task Force-National Capital Region is working diligently to determine how the parade will proceed and adapt accordingly.
Inaugural events set for the rest of the weekend and beyond remain unabated, according to Trump’s recent statements. He confirmed that his planned rally and attendance at three inaugural balls on Monday will continue as originally scheduled.
Regarding ticket refunds for those unable to attend due to the change in plans, tickets for the outdoor ceremony were free, so refunds are not applicable. Inquiries made about refund policies from major airlines and hotel chains are still awaiting responses, but as of now, several airlines like Delta and Southwest are maintaining their existing policies without alterations.
For more travel-related consumer rights, the Transportation Department advises checking their “Fly Rights” consumer guide.
