WASHINGTON (AP) — Sub-freezing temperatures forecast for Monday in Washington mean President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office from inside the Capitol Rotunda. Almost everyone visiting Washington won't be able to see the ceremony in person.
It will be the first time in 40 years that the swearing-in won't take place on the Capitol steps. Plans are underway to accommodate some attendees at the city's pro basketball and hockey arena.
Here's what's known about the arrangements as organizers scramble to adapt:
Where will Trump now be sworn in?
The Rotunda is prepared as an alternative for each inauguration in the event of inclement weather. The swearing-in was last moved indoors in 1985, when President Ronald Reagan began his second term. Monday's forecast calls for the lowest Inauguration Day temperatures since that day.
President Joe Biden, members of Congress and other dignitaries and notable guests will be able to view the ceremony from inside the Capitol. On Friday, workers were installing a small platform in the Rotunda.
The U.S. Capitol Police said outside ticketed areas at the Capitol will be closed “due to the extremely cold weather,” so even if people wanted to gather there as Trump takes the oath inside, they won’t be allowed to do so.
How cold is it going to get on Monday?
The National Weather Service is predicting that the temperature will be about 22 degrees Fahrenheit (minus-6 Celsius) at noon EST, when Trump becomes president. That would be the coldest since Reagan’s second inauguration saw temperatures plunge to 7 degrees (minus-14 Celsius).
“The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the windchill factor, could take temperatures into severe record lows,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. “There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way.”
In 2009, it was 28 degrees (minus-2 Celsius) for Barack Obama’s swearing-in. Biden was sworn in four years ago in a relatively balmy 42 degrees (5.5 Celsius).
A few Democrats poked fun at Trump’s decision.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who was Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate in the Democrats’ losing 2024 campaign, posted a photo of himself standing in a snowstorm with the caption, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.”
Monday’s forecast temperature is about the same as it was in Washington 64 years ago, when John F. Kennedy took the oath in a 22-degree chill, and after crews worked overnight clearing 8 inches of fresh snow from the parade route. Kennedy delivered his speech from the Capitol’s east steps without a topcoat, his frosty breath visible as he spoke.
A half-century earlier, William Howard Taft held his 1909 inauguration indoors after 10 inches of snow fell. That’s when the inauguration was still held on March 4, not Jan. 20.
How many members of the public can attend the inauguration inside?
In his social media post about the weather-related change, Trump said that “various Dignitaries and Guests” would be taken into the Rotunda for the ceremony. It's unclear how many people or whom.
According to a notice from the House's sergeant at arms to congressional offices, the vast majority of the seats that had been planned for an outdoor ceremony will be excluded and those tickets will become “commemorative.” Organizers are still deciding whether they can admit people who have tickets in sections 3 and 4, which would have been right in front of the stage outdoors.
The Rotunda can only hold about 600 people, according to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
According to Trump's post, Capital One Arena — where the incoming president plans a rally Sunday afternoon — will be open again on Monday for “LIVE viewing of this Historic event.” No information is available yet on how to sign up for a seat inside the arena on Monday. The arena can hold 20,000 people.
What about the parade? Is it still happening?
Trump also said that Capital One Arena would “host the Presidential Parade.” Trump said he would “join the crowd” at Capital One after he takes the oath.
The parade is managed by the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, which is trying to figure out what changes need to be made and how the parade will go on.
Normally, thousands of people line the route from the Capitol to the White House, which the president typically traverses following the swearing-in ceremony. Marching bands and other participants from around the country come to Washington to participate, so presumably they will also be part of the newly arranged indoor festivities.
Are other inaugural events still happening?
According to Trump, yes. The Republican president-elect said Friday that other inaugural events, including the Sunday rally and his participation in three inaugural balls on Monday night, would take place as scheduled.
If I choose not to go to the inauguration, can I get a refund?
Tickets to the inauguration when it was planned to be outside are free, so no refunds are needed for that.
Associated Press inquiries about any plans by American Airlines and United Airlines to offer refunds or other arrangements for travelers changing their plans were not immediately answered. Delta Airlines and Southwest Airlines were planning no change in policy. Similar requests to hotel chains including Hilton, IHG, Marriott and Best Western Hotels were not immediately answered.
A Transportation Department spokesperson advised travelers to find information on its "Fly Rights" consumer guide at www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/fly-rights.
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Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP, Beaumont at https://x.com/tombeaumont. Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa. Farnoush Amiri and Tara Copp contributed from Washington.
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