Hostile Weather: Trump’s Inauguration Moved Indoors
President-elect Donald Trump has confirmed that his inauguration ceremony, scheduled for January 20, will be moved indoors due to dangerously cold weather expected to hit Washington D.C. next week.
In an unprecedented decision, the inaugural address and other speeches will now take place inside the US Capitol’s rotunda, rather than the traditional outdoor location on the West Front of the Capitol. This change comes after weather forecasters predicted severe winter conditions, including extreme cold that could pose health risks to the attendees.
A spokesperson for the inaugural committee explained, “The safety and comfort of all participants are our top priorities. Given the forecast, we believe this is the best course of action.”
Additionally, the inaugural parade, which usually takes place as a grand procession along Pennsylvania Avenue, will also be relocated. Instead, it will be held inside Washington’s Capital One Arena to shield spectators and participants from the harsh weather. Similarly, the traditional inaugural balls that celebrate the new administration will be moved indoors to the same venue.
The decision to move the events indoors has drawn comparisons to the last time a U.S. president took the oath of office indoors due to weather conditions. In 1985, during Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration, the ceremony was relocated inside the Capitol due to extreme cold. With similar forecasts for this year, officials have opted to prioritize safety while still maintaining the traditional festivities of the occasion.
Despite the changes, organizers assured the public that the event will remain “no less historic” and will still allow Americans to witness the peaceful transition of power.
The adjustment to the venue and format of the inauguration reflects the harsh realities of winter weather in Washington, D.C., but officials have expressed confidence that the new arrangements will still enable the nation to come together in celebration of the peaceful transfer of power.
