Trump's Inauguration Is Moving Indoors Due to Cold Weather. The Last Time This Happened Was 40 Years Ago

Mar. 15, 2025

The inaugural stage outside the U.S. Capitol, pictured on Jan. 17, 2025, will no longer host Trump’s swearing-in ceremony.Photo:Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty

Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty

President-electDonald Trump’s inauguration ceremony has been moved indoors due to the extremely cold temperatures expected in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Jan. 20.

On Friday, Jan. 17, Trump announced onTruth Socialthat he had “ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda” in response to the National Weather Service’s severe forecast, which predicts a high of 23 degrees Fahrenheit and wind chill that makes it feel colder.

“There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country,” Trump, 78, wrote. “I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way.”

President Ronald Reagan at an inaugural ceremony in the Capitol rotunda in 1985.AFP via Getty

AFP via Getty

Inauguration ceremonies have been held indoors a couple of documented times in the nation’s history — most recently 40 years ago, when wind chill temperatures of -25 degrees Fahrenheit forced PresidentRonald Reaganto kick off his second term inside the Capitol rotunda.

James Monroe, the 5th president of the United States, notably held his second inauguration in 1821 inside the House chamber of the Capitol amid a snowstorm, according to government archives.

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Trump, who wasfixated on crowd sizes at his first inaugurationin 2017, will no longer deliver his inaugural address in view of a full National Mall, where thousands of people usually line up.

source: people.com