On January 20, 2025, President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in, but for the first time in 40 years, the ceremony will not take place on the steps of the Capitol due to sub-freezing temperatures forecasted for Washington.
The swearing-in ceremony will now be held inside the Capitol Rotunda. This change is a precautionary measure, as the Rotunda is a designated backup location for such events in case of inclement weather. The last time an inauguration was held indoors was in 1985, during Ronald Reagan’s second term. The predicted temperatures for Monday are set to be the coldest since Reagan’s inauguration, with a forecast of around -6°C at noon.
The ceremony will be closed to the public outside, as the U.S. Capitol Police has restricted access to ticketed areas due to extreme weather conditions. While dignitaries and special guests will be able to attend the event inside, the public will not be permitted to gather outdoors as Trump takes the oath of office.
Temperature Forecast: The National Weather Service expects temperatures to plummet to -6°C, with wind chills potentially driving the temperatures to severe record lows. Trump himself addressed the cold weather on his Truth Social platform, emphasizing his concern for the well-being of those attending the event. The frigid forecast is reminiscent of the conditions faced by past inaugurations, including John F. Kennedy’s in 1961, where he delivered his speech in the snow at -6°C, and William Howard Taft’s 1909 indoor swearing-in due to heavy snow.
Indoor Attendance and Viewing Options: The Rotunda has limited capacity, holding only about 600 people, and much of the seating previously reserved for the outdoor ceremony will be converted into commemorative tickets. The Capital One Arena, which holds 20,000 people, will open for “live viewing” of the event, though details on how to register for seats are still pending. The arena is expected to host the presidential parade, with Trump planning to join the crowd after taking the oath.
Parade and Other Events: While the usual outdoor parade route is being restructured, the inauguration’s parade and marching bands are expected to still proceed inside at the Capital One Arena. Trump confirmed that other inaugural events, including his rally on Sunday afternoon and participation in three inaugural balls on Monday night, will go ahead as scheduled.
