Extremely cold weather will force Trump’s inauguration inside for first time in 40 years
Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president inside the Capitol Rotunda on Monday, when a polar vortex is forecast to grip the nation’s capital.
The president-elect announced the change of plans in a noontime Truth Social post Friday, writing in part: “There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way. It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of Law Enforcement, First Responders, Police K9s and even horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters that will be outside for many hours on the 20th (In any event, if you decide to come, dress warmly!).
“Therefore, I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda, as was used by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of very cold weather.”
The Monday forecast for DC calls for high temperatures of 22 degrees Fahrenheit, with an overnight low of 7 degrees.
That’s downright balmy compared to Reagan’s second inauguration, which was also held in the Rotunda as the noon temperature reached 7 degrees, with the afternoon wind chill making it feel between negative-10 and negative-20 degrees.
Since that day in 1985, the temperature for a presidential swearing-in has only fallen below freezing once: in 2009, when Barack Obama took the oath of office in 28-degree weather.
The incoming president’s team had been blasting out invitations for supporters to come to the National Mall to see the outdoor ceremony, which often draws thousands of attendees stretching as far back as the Lincoln Memorial.
Now, only a few hundred special guests, lawmakers and media members will get to see Trump be sworn in for a second time.
In his Truth Social post, Trump invited supporters to watch a broadcast of the inaugural ceremony at the 20,000-seat Capital One Arena in downtown Washington — which will also host the inaugural parade.
After taking the oath of office at noon, Trump will take part in a signing ceremony in the Capitol’s President’s Room — where he is expected to approve several Executive Orders.
Then, he will travel to the arena to watch the indoor parade, which had been meant to proceed up Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.
Trump, 78, will stay over Sunday night at Blair House and take tea Monday morning with outgoing President Biden before heading to the Capitol.
Following the parade, Trump is scheduled to attend three nighttime inaugural balls and give remarks at each.
