President-elect Donald Trump has announced that his upcoming inauguration on Monday will be moved indoors to the historic US Capitol Rotunda due to dangerously low temperatures. This marks the first time in 40 years that a US presidential inauguration has been relocated indoors because of extreme weather.
Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Friday, stating, ”There’s an Arctic blast covering the country and I don’t want anyone to be hurt or injured’’. The inauguration speech, all the official proceedings, and prayers will be conducted inside the Capitol building, he confirmed.
The Joint Inaugural Committee mentioned that most of the ticketed guests will not be able to attend in person and will restrict the members of Congress and those who have Presidential Platform tickets, as per an ABC News report. Supporters are advised to watch from other indoor venues as a live stream will be available at the Capital One Arena, where Trump plans to join them after the swearing-in.
A similar decision was taken in 1985 during Ronald Reagan’s second swearing-in ceremony when the inauguration function was moved indoors because of frigid temperature.
Washington Weather Forecast on Trump’s Inauguration
As per the weather forecast, Washington on Monday will hover around 19 degrees F (-7 degrees Celsius) along with low wind chills. In light of these conditions, Trump has planned to watch the live ceremony on screens for his supporters at the Capital One Arena, a downtown Washington venue with a capacity of 20,000.
The presidential parade, which is usually organized along Pennsylvania Avenue, has also been decided to shift to the arena. However, details regarding how the parade will be conducted have not been clarified. An assurance was given by Trump to his supporters that he would join them at the arena after his swearing-in ceremony. Trump is also scheduled to host a rally at the same place on Sunday evening, the day before his inauguration.
Severe weather conditions have affected several presidential inaugurations. For example, William Henry Harrison gave a long inaugural speech on March 4, 1841, in cold and wet conditions without proper winter dresses. Similarly, at President Ulysses S Grant’s second inauguration in 1873, the harsh cold caused several attendees to collapse and strong winds made his speech inaudible. That day continues to remain the coldest March Day ever recorded in Washington to date, with temperatures as low as 4 degrees F (-15 degrees Celsius).
(With inputs from Reuters)