Trump moves inauguration indoors due to dangerously cold temperatures in Washington, D.C.

President-elect Trump announces his inauguration will be held indoors at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda due to extreme cold.

President-elect Donald Trump has announced that his inauguration, scheduled for January 20, will be moved indoors due to dangerously cold temperatures expected in Washington, D.C.

The swearing-in ceremony, along with prayers and other speeches, will now take place in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. This venue was previously used by President Ronald Reagan in 1985 during similarly extreme weather conditions. Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, expressing concern for the safety and well-being of those attending.

In addition to the indoor venue change, Trump confirmed that the Capital One Arena will be opened for live viewing of the historic event, including the Presidential Parade. He plans to join the crowd at the arena after taking the oath of office.

The shift to an indoor location presents logistical challenges, with federal agencies now needing to adjust security plans within just three days. The inauguration, designated by the Department of Homeland Security as a National Special Security Event, was initially planned to host hundreds of thousands of guests, with approximately 25,000 law enforcement and military personnel on hand.

Trump voiced his concerns about the cold, acknowledging the risk it posed to attendees, especially law enforcement, first responders, and others who would have spent hours outside. He urged attendees to dress warmly and expressed a desire to avoid any injuries due to the extreme conditions. The forecast predicts a temperature in the low 20s Fahrenheit, with wind chills potentially dropping to single digits by evening.

This decision to move the event indoors mirrors Reagan’s 1985 inauguration, where the outdoor parade was also canceled due to severe cold. Reagan’s second inauguration saw temperatures plummet to 7 degrees with a wind chill of -25 degrees, prompting officials to take similar precautions.

Looking ahead, officials are closely monitoring the weather in the days leading up to the inauguration. While a mix of rain and snow is expected on Sunday, Monday's forecast predicts cold, windy conditions, but dry weather for the event.