Washington – Monday’s inauguration ceremony for President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will take place at the Capitol due to dangerously low temperatures, Trump announced on social media Friday.
“There is an Arctic explosion sweeping the country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I don’t need to see other people harmed in any way. (. . . ) I have therefore directed that the inaugural address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, be delivered in the rotunda of the United States Capitol, as used through Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of the bloodless weather. “
Temperatures between 15 and 20 degrees are expected on Monday with winds. Meteorologists also predict snow for the day before.
The rotunda is located under the dome of the Capitol and is used for congressional ceremonies and celebrations.
Trump said the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington would be open to his supporters who could attend the rite live and that he would register for the crowd after taking the oath of office. The stadium will also host the presidential parade. The area can accommodate about 20,000 people, a fraction of those expected to travel to Washington for the inauguration.
Dignitaries and other VIP visitors will be taken to the Rotunda, Trump said, but the area will be incredibly limited.
“It will be a great celebration for everyone, and especially for the television audience in general. ” Trump wrote in his message.
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, which is responsible for planning the event, said in a statement that “the vast majority of ticketed visitors will not be able to attend the ceremonies in person. “
“At this time we know that those who have tickets for the Presidential Platform and congressmen will be able to attend in person,” he said. “While we know this is complicated for many attendees, we strongly encourage others who are in Washington for the occasion to attend other indoor events at indoor venues of their choice to witness the opening. “
A senior inauguration official in Washington previously told CBS News that moving the ceremony indoors was “the president-elect’s decision. ” Two law enforcement resources previously told CBS News that a “Rotunda plan” for the swearing-in was “under study” and had been an option for months. CNN first reported that the inauguration would take place indoors.
When Reagan took the oath of office in the Capitol Rotunda in 1985, it was 7 degrees outside, according to the National Weather Service, with wind chills making it feel far colder than 0 degrees.
These situations forced the organizers to move the ritual indoors. The Capitol rotunda was filled, according to photographs from that day, with status rooms reserved for VIPs.
Reagan was actually sworn in one day before the Jan. 21 inaugural festivities, on Jan. 20, since Jan. 20 fell on a Sunday. Chief Justice Warren Burger administered the oath of office to Reagan on both days.
“There are no words good enough to express my gratitude for the wonderful honor that has been bestowed upon me,” Reagan said in his second inaugural address. “I will do everything imaginable to earn your trust. “
In May of that year, many of the high school marching bands that had been scheduled to perform in the inaugural parade played at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT, and Reagan spoke.