Washington – The inauguration ceremony of President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J. D. Vance on Monday will take place at the Capitol due to dangerously low temperatures, Trump announced on social media on Friday.
“There is an Arctic blast sweeping the country,” Trump wrote in Truth Social. “I do not need to see other people harmed in any way. (. . . ) Therefore, I have ordered that the inaugural address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, be delivered in the rotunda of the United States Capitol , as used by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of the bloodless climate. “
Temperatures are expected to be in the teens and low 20s on Monday with heavy winds. Weather forecasters are also predicting snow the day before.
The Rotunda is under the Capitol dome and is typically used for congressional ceremonies and celebrations.
Trump said the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington would be open to supporters who could attend the live rite and that he would sign up for the crowd after being sworn in. The stadium will also host the presidential parade. The area has a capacity for about 20,000 people, a fraction of those expected to travel to Washington for the inauguration.
Dignitaries and other VIP visitors will be brought to the Rotunda, Trump said, but the area will be incredibly limited.
“It will be a great party for everyone, and especially for the general television audience!” Trump wrote in his message.
The Congressional Joint Committee on Opening 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 to the presidential platform and members of Congress will be able to attend in person,” he said. “While we know this is difficult for many attendees, we strongly recommend that others who are in Washington for the occasion attend other indoor occasions at indoor venues of their choice to attend the inauguration. “
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 was sworn in in the Capitol Rotunda in 1985, it was 7 degrees outside, according to the National Weather Service, and the wind chill was much colder than 0 degrees.
Those conditions forced organizers to move the ceremony indoors. The Capitol Rotunda was packed, according to images from that day, with standing-room-only available for VIPs.
Reagan was sworn in one day before the January 21 inaugural festivities, January 20, as January 20 fell on a Sunday. Chief Justice Warren Burger swore in Reagan both days.
“There are no words good enough to express my appreciation for the wonderful honor bestowed upon me,” Reagan said in his second inaugural address. “I will do everything I can to earn your trust. “
In May of that year, many of the top school marching bands scheduled to perform in the inaugural parade played at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT, and Reagan spoke.