Why Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration is being moved

A venue change for Donald Trump’s inauguration is raising questions. Here’s the reason and what it means for the ceremony

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JANUARY 17, 2025 12:58 PM ESTJAN 17, 2025, 12:58 PM EST

President-elect Donald Trump has announced a significant change to his inauguration ceremony. Originally planned to take place outdoors in the heart of Washington, D.C., the event will now be held indoors due to frigid temperatures forecasted for Inauguration Day. The decision, shared on January 17, prioritizes the comfort and safety of attendees amid the expected severe cold.

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President-elect Donald Trump's 2025 inauguration ceremony won't take place outdoors like his first swearing-in ceremony in 2017 (pictured above)

"It is my obligation to protect the People of our Country but, before we even begin, we have to think of the Inauguration itself," the president-elect wrote on Truth Social. "The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the windchill factor, could take temperatures into severe record lows. There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. 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!)."

the United States Capitol Rotunda — The statue of George Washington, the first US president is seen in the rotunda of the US Capitol on April 16, 2009 in Washington, DC.

"Therefore, I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda, as was used by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of very cold weather. The various Dignitaries and Guests will be brought into the Capitol," he added. "This will be a very beautiful experience for all, and especially for the large TV audience! We will open Capital One Arena on Monday for LIVE viewing of this historic

The reason Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony is being moved — WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 31: The body of late-Sen. John S. McCain lies in state during a ceremony to honor the six-term senator from Arizona in the Capitol Rotunda on Friday. He is the 13th Senator to receive this honor. (Photo by Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images)

The president-elect noted that all other events, including the three inaugural balls and the Make America Great Again Victory Rally, will remain the same. He concluded his post on Friday, writing: "Everyone will be safe, everyone will be happy, and we will, together, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

For his second inauguration in 1985, President Ronald Reagan delivered his inaugural address inside the United States Capitol rotunda. According to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum, there was no outdoors ceremony and the parade was canceled due to a "severe cold snap on the East coast."

President-elect Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, Jan. 20. The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee has announced that the president-elect will use a Bible that was given to him by his mother and the Lincoln Bible for the swearing-in ceremony. The swearing-in ceremony is expected to begin at 12 p.m. ET.