President Donald Trump’s highly anticipated swearing-in ceremony will be moved indoors due to the “severe” cold weather forecast for Washington D.C. next week.
On Friday, Trump announced that he had ordered that his inaugural address and other ceremonial prayers and speeches be held in the United States Capitol Rotunda.
Trump explained that the expected winter conditions are predicted to bring extremely cold temperatures that could be dangerous for attendees.
In a post on Truth Social, addressing the expected cold, Trump said:
“The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the wind chill 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,” Trump explained.
“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!).”
Brutal cold and ferocious winds are expected for the D.C. region on Monday.
Temperatures are expected to fall to the upper 20s, Fox Weather reported.
With the wind chill, it will feel more like single-digit temperatures.
There is also a possibility of snow from a storm forecast on Sunday.
However, Trump supporters won’t miss out on all of the celebrations.
Trump said the Capital One Arena will be open Monday for live viewing of his inauguration “and to host the Presidential Parade.”
“I will join the crowd at Capital One, after my Swearing in,” Trump wrote.
The three Inaugural Balls on Monday will proceed as scheduled.
In a statement, the Inaugural Committee confirmed Trump’s decision, saying:
“The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies will honor the request of the President-elect and his Presidential Inaugural Committee to move the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies inside the U.S. Capitol to the Rotunda.”
The last time inauguration ceremonies were moved indoors was for President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in January 1985.
Regan had taken the oath of office the day before at the White House.
The public ceremonies the next day took place inside while the temperature was 7 degrees with a windchill of -40.
President Thomas Jefferson was also inaugurated inside the Capitol, as was the custom early in the republic’s history.
The tradition of outdoor ceremonies was started for President James Monroe’s inauguration.
It was moved outside because the Capitol was so badly damaged after the War of 1812 when the British burned the building.
Since then, outdoor inaugurations have become customary.