Trump’s Inauguration Moved Indoors Due to Extreme Cold

President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, January 20, 2025, will be held indoors at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda due to dangerously cold weather in Washington, D.C. This marks the first indoor inauguration in 40 years, with the last occurring during President Ronald Reagan’s second term in 1985 under similar conditions.

Forecasts predict temperatures as low as 12°F (-11°C) with wind chills dropping further, prompting safety concerns for attendees. Trump announced the change on Truth Social, emphasizing the need to avoid harm to supporters, law enforcement personnel, and first responders. “I do not want anyone to be harmed or injured in any way,” he stated, advising attendees to dress warmly if they choose to participate.

The ceremony will feature Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance taking their oaths inside the Rotunda. However, this shift significantly limits public attendance. While the original outdoor event on the Capitol grounds was expected to host over 220,000 ticketed guests, only a select group of dignitaries and officials will now witness the ceremony in person.

To accommodate broader participation, Trump’s team has arranged live viewing of the event at Capital One Arena, where the inaugural parade will also take place. Trump plans to join attendees at the arena following his swearing-in.

This adjustment disrupts traditional pomp and grandeur but prioritizes safety amid one of the coldest inauguration days in modern history.