The presidential inauguration on Monday, January 20, will be moved indoors due to freezing temperatures, according to a social media post from President-elect Donald Trump. The event will now take place in the Capitol Rotunda, rather than outside the Capitol.
“I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, the social media site he owns.
The forecast for Monday includes temperatures in the mid- to upper-teens, rising only to the low 20s by noon, according to The Washington Post. Blustery winds and snow on the ground from a potential storm on Sunday may also contribute to the harsh conditions.
This is the first time a presidential inauguration has been moved indoors since President Ronald Reagan’s in 1985, which was also due to frigid cold.
“I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way,” Trump’s post said. “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.”
He continued to say that Capital One Arena will be open Monday for live viewing of the event and to host a parade. “I will join the crowd at Capital One, after my Swearing In,” Trump said.
The post also said that the other events on the schedule will remain unchanged, including a rally at Capital One Arena on Sunday and three official inaugural balls.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
