Monday’s inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump will be dangerously cold, not getting much above 20 degrees, accompanied by strong winds.
The Washington Post said it will be the coldest swearing-in ceremony in four decades and the weather has forced it to move inside.
Trump confirmed the change in venue on his Truth Social platform.
He wrote, “It is my obligation to protect the People of our Country but, before we even begin, we have to think of the Inauguration itself. The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the windchill 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. 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!). Therefore, I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda, as was used by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of very cold weather. The various Dignitaries and Guests will be brought into the Capitol. This will be a very beautiful experience for all, and especially for the large TV audience!”
He said that there will be a viewing event inside the Capital One Arena for those who are traveling to Washington, D.C. It will also host the parade, he said.
Trump said he would join the crowd at the arena after the swearing-in was done.
He said other events will remain the same.
There is precedent for an inside ceremony, The Washington Post reported.
It happened back in 1985 when then-President Ronald Reagan was sworn in for a second time. CNN reported at that time, the temperatures registered at 7 degrees with a -25 windchill.
The most recent freezing inauguration was President Barack Obama’s 2009 ceremony. That time it was a high of 30 degrees with 19 as a low and windchill in the teens.
Reagan’s parade was canceled in 1985, ABC News reported.
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