President Donald Trump’s second inauguration will be an indoor event, as Washington, D.C. is set to experience freezing temperatures on Monday. The forecast predicts that temperatures will fall below 20 degrees, with wind chills making it feel like single digits.
Trump will take the oath of office as the 47th President of the United States inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Due to the extreme cold, the traditional inaugural parade will also be moved indoors, to the Capitol One Arena.
This decision to hold the swearing-in ceremony indoors is not unprecedented. In fact, it mirrors the response to similar weather conditions in previous inaugurations. Trump’s second inauguration is expected to be the coldest since 1985, when President Ronald Reagan was sworn in for his second term. On that occasion, temperatures were recorded at a frigid 7 degrees, prompting the ceremony to be held inside the Capitol Rotunda as well. Reagan’s inaugural parade, which would have featured an Alaskan dogsled team, was cancelled due to the harsh conditions.
In 1909, President William Taft also moved his swearing-in indoors, taking the oath of office inside the Senate chamber after a blizzard dumped nearly 10 inches of snow on the city. However, unlike Trump’s event, Taft’s parade was held outdoors, with 20,000 marchers participating in the processional.
While some presidents have braved the cold, others, like President John F. Kennedy, chose to hold their inaugural events outside despite freezing conditions. Kennedy’s inauguration took place in 22-degree weather, following an unexpected snowstorm that dumped eight inches of snow in the area. The U.S. Army Engineers worked around the clock to clear the snow in time for the ceremony and the parade.
President Trump has advised those planning to attend his inauguration to dress warmly but also encouraged them to watch the events on television to avoid potential injury. On January 17, he posted on Truth Social, “I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way.”
With the cold temperatures and the shift to indoor locations, Trump’s second inauguration will certainly be a departure from tradition, but the decision prioritizes safety for all involved.
