Donald Trump's presidential inauguration to be moved indoors as record cold forecast in Washington

17 January 2025, 17:11 | Updated: 17 January 2025, 22:59

Donald Trump's presidential inauguration is to be moved indoors as record cold has been forecast in Washington DC.

He is expected to be sworn in as the 47th president inside the US Capitol Rotunda, with the inaugural parade transferring to the Capital One sports arena.

The swearing-in was last moved indoors in 1985, when President Ronald Reagan began his second term.

Monday's forecast suggests the lowest inauguration day temperatures since that day.

"The weather forecast for Washington DC, with the windchill factor, could take temperatures into severe record lows," Mr Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

"There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. I don't want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way."

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Mr Trump said some supporters would be able to watch the ceremony from Washington's Capital One area on Monday, a day after he plans to hold a rally there. He said he would visit the arena after his swearing-in.

The National Weather Service is predicting the temperature to be around -6C at noon during the swearing-in, the coldest since Mr Reagan's second inauguration saw temperatures plunge to -14C.

Barack Obama's 2009 swearing-in was -2C.

Adding to the bite, the wind is forecast to be 30 to 35mph.

"The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies will honour the request of the President-elect and his Presidential Inaugural Committee to move the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies inside the US Capitol to the Rotunda," a spokesperson said.

What are the timings on the day?

The inauguration will take place in Washington DC, the capital city of the US - which is in the Eastern Standard Time zone (EST), five hours behind the UK.

That means while the day starts at 8.15am local time and ends at around 10pm, in the UK it will run from 1.15pm to around 3am on Tuesday.

The key part is expected to start at round 4.30pm UK time. Trump's Vice-President, JD Vance, will be sworn in first before Trump himself takes the oath.

He will then give his inaugural address.

Key timings:

• 1.15pm UK / 8:15am EST Trump and Melania arrive at St John's Church for a half-hour service ahead of the inauguration
• 2.15pm UK / 9:15am EST: Trump heads to White House for tea with Biden, lasting around an hour, before going to the US Capitol.
• 3.30pm UK/10:30am EST: Motorcade arrives at Capitol
• 4.36pm UK/ 11:36am EST: Vance sworn in as Vice-President
• 4.47pm UK/ 11:47am EST: Trump sworn in
• 4.53pm UK/ 11:53am EST: Inaugural address begins