President-elect Trump’s Inauguration Will Now Take Place Inside the U.S. Capitol Due to Cold Weather Forecast
The weather forecast is expected to be frigid on Monday, with a high of 23 degrees and a low of 10, with brutal winds making it feel more like single-digits. As a result, the inauguration will now take place inside the U.S. Capitol, marking the first indoor inauguration since President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985.
The last time an inauguration was held indoors was in 1801, when President Thomas Jefferson was sworn in. This will be the second time in U.S. history that the inauguration will take place inside the Capitol. The other instance was when the Capitol was damaged in the War of 1812 and President James Monroe was inaugurated outside in front of the National Mall.
Despite the cold weather, President-elect Trump has invited supporters to join him at the Capital One Arena, where they can watch the inauguration live and participate in the Presidential Parade. Trump emphasized the importance of dressing warmly, citing the severe record-low temperatures expected in Washington, D.C.
The cold weather forecast is reminiscent of John F. Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961, which also took place outside even after a storm dumped 8 inches of snow the previous day. President Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985 also shared similar temperatures, with a high of 26 and a low of 19.
Trump took to social media to address the cold, stating, “I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way. It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of Law Enforcement, First Responders, Police K9s and even horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters that will be outside for many hours on the 20th (In any event, if you decide to come, dress warmly!).”