Trump’s Inauguration Moved Indoors Amid Historic Freezing Weather/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday will be moved indoors to the U.S. Capitol Rotunda due to dangerously cold temperatures in Washington, D.C. With projected wind chills in the single digits, officials aim to ensure attendee safety, mirroring Ronald Reagan’s 1985 indoor swearing-in. Plans for the inaugural parade and celebrations are still under consideration.
Trump’s Inauguration Moved Indoors Due to Frigid Weather: Quick Looks
- Indoor Ceremony: Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance to be sworn in inside the Capitol Rotunda.
- Historic Cold: Forecast predicts temperatures around 18°F with wind chills as low as 5°F.
- Parade Uncertainty: Plans for the parade and other celebrations are ongoing.
- Safety Concerns: Officials cite health risks for attendees in extreme cold.
- Historical Precedent: Ronald Reagan’s 1985 inauguration also moved indoors due to freezing weather.
- Snow Chances: A storm may bring light snow to the D.C. area on Sunday.
Trump Inauguration Moved Indoors Amid Historic Freezing Temperature
Deep Look
Inauguration Moves Indoors
President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, originally planned for the National Mall, will now take place indoors at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda due to severe cold. Forecasts for Monday project air temperatures around 18–19°F and wind chills dropping as low as 5–10°F, prompting officials to prioritize safety for attendees.
Parade and Celebrations
While the swearing-in location has been decided, discussions continue about the parade and inaugural celebrations. Trump’s team is reportedly considering holding some events at the Capital One Arena, where a rally is planned for Sunday. Officials are also working with the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies to accommodate tens of thousands of people expected to travel to D.C.
Historical Comparison
If the forecast holds, this inauguration could rival Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985, the coldest January Inauguration Day on record. On that day, the temperature at noon was 7°F, with wind chills between -10°F and -20°F, forcing Reagan’s ceremony indoors and canceling the parade.
Trump’s first inauguration in 2017 saw comparatively mild weather at 48°F. Other recent ceremonies include Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration at 42°F and Barack Obama’s 2013 and 2009 inaugurations at 45°F and 28°F, respectively.
Weather Challenges
Meteorologists forecast gusty winds of 15–20 mph, with occasional bursts up to 30 mph, exacerbating the cold. Combined with below-average high temperatures for mid-January, the conditions are expected to create dangerously low wind chills.
“We’re looking at winds about 15 to 20 miles per hour with gusts 25 to 30 miles per hour,” said Brian LaSorsa, a National Weather Service meteorologist. “It’s going to feel extremely cold, with the wind chill in the single digits to lower teens.”
Snow Possibility
A quick-moving storm could bring light snow to Washington, D.C., on Sunday. While not expected to be heavy, the snowfall adds to the logistical challenges for the inauguration.
Trump’s Perspective
Trump, who has held outdoor events in various weather conditions, is expected to acknowledge the move indoors during his inaugural remarks, reminiscent of Reagan’s 1985 address. Reagan famously joked about the cold, saying,
“We stand again at the steps of this symbol of our democracy — well, we would have been standing at the steps if it hadn’t gotten so cold.”
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