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Trump’s Historic Indoor Inauguration: A First in 40 Years Amidst Arctic Blast


Due to extreme cold, President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration will be held indoors for the first time in 40 years. Learn about the historic change and its impact.


Trump’s Inauguration Moves Indoors for First Time in Four Decades Due to Arctic Blast

Historic Shift in Presidential Tradition

In a move not seen in 40 years, President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration will take place inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda rather than outdoors, a decision prompted by a severe Arctic blast expected to bring dangerously low temperatures to Washington, D.C. on Monday.
“There is an Arctic blast sweeping the country. I don’t want to see people hurt or injured in any way,” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform on Friday. “Therefore, I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda.”
The last time a U.S. presidential swearing-in ceremony was moved indoors was in 1985, when former Republican President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration faced extreme cold, with wind chills plunging between minus 10 and minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 23 to minus 29 degrees Celsius).

Extreme Cold Forces Change of Venue

Weather forecasts indicate that temperatures during Trump’s inauguration will hover around 19°F (-7°C), but with wind chill, it will feel significantly colder. The extreme cold prompted officials to reconsider the traditional outdoor event on the National Mall, which typically draws hundreds of thousands of spectators.
Supporters hoping to witness the ceremony firsthand will instead be directed to the Capital One Arena, a professional basketball and hockey venue in downtown Washington with a capacity of 20,000. Trump announced that his inaugural parade, which was originally planned to proceed down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, will also be relocated to the indoor venue.

Logistical Challenges and Public Disappointment

Moving the inauguration indoors presents significant logistical hurdles. While the U.S. Capitol Rotunda can accommodate key officials, dignitaries, and a limited audience, many ticketed attendees who had planned to watch from the Capitol grounds will now be unable to attend. According to a National Park Service permit issued to Trump’s inaugural committee, more than 220,000 people had tickets for the outdoor ceremony, with an additional 250,000 expected to gather on the National Mall. The shift to an indoor venue dramatically reduces the number of people who can witness the event in person.
Tammy Matte, a school secretary from Laurel, Mississippi, had planned to attend with her family after securing tickets from their congressman. However, upon learning they would not see Trump in person, they canceled their nearly 1,000-mile trip. “We don’t feel it’s worth it not to see the ceremony in person,” Matte, 58, said.
The National Park Service has yet to confirm whether large crowds will still be allowed on the National Mall to watch the event on giant video screens that had already been installed.

Avoiding Crowd-Size Comparisons

The venue change eliminates any comparisons to past inauguration crowds—a contentious issue during Trump’s first swearing-in in 2017. At the time, Trump was outraged by media reports suggesting that his audience was significantly smaller than that of former President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration. By moving the event indoors, such comparisons will be impossible, though critics speculate this might have been a secondary motivation for the switch.

Security and Safety Considerations

With the revised plans, law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service, are adapting their security measures. Alexi Worley, a spokesperson for the agencies overseeing security, stated, “The U.S. Secret Service is working closely with Trump’s inauguration committee and the congressional committee in charge of the swearing-in ceremony to adapt our security plans as needed due to the expected inclement weather.”
Trump is set to hold a rally at the Capital One Arena on Sunday, the eve of his inauguration, where thousands of supporters are expected to gather indoors before the official swearing-in the next day.

A Chilly Tradition in U.S. Inauguration History

Cold weather has played a significant role in past presidential inaugurations. Barack Obama’s first swearing-in in 2009 took place in temperatures around 29°F (-1.5°C), while one of the most infamous inaugural weather events occurred in 1841. William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S. president, delivered the longest inaugural address in history without a hat or overcoat in wet and cold conditions. He later developed pneumonia and died one month after taking office, making his presidency the shortest in American history.
Another notable example took place in 1873 when Ulysses S. Grant was sworn in for his second term. Frigid winds caused several cadets and midshipmen, who were standing outside without overcoats, to collapse. The day’s low temperature of 4°F (-15°C) remains the coldest March day ever recorded in Washington, D.C.

A Presidency That Begins Indoors

Trump’s decision to move the inauguration indoors is an unprecedented shift in modern times, reflecting both the intensity of the winter storm and his desire to ensure the safety of attendees. While many supporters are disappointed by the limited access, the historical significance of the change marks yet another unique moment in America’s long tradition of presidential inaugurations.
As Washington braces for the Arctic blast, one thing is certain—the start of Trump’s presidency will be remembered not just for its political significance but for the frigid weather that forced history indoors.

Source:  (Reuters)

(Disclaimer: This article is based on current reports and official announcements. Any further developments may alter the final arrangements for the inauguration. Stay updated with official sources for the latest information.)

 

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