US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Friday night, January 17, that his inauguration will take place inside the Capitol Rotunda on Monday, January 20, due to the extreme cold temperatures forecast for Washington, D.C.
The area has been experiencing freezing conditions throughout January, with snow still on the ground from the January 6 storm that dropped nearly a foot of snow in Washington and Maryland.
“I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “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 who will be outside for many hours on the 20th. (In any event, if you decide to come, dress warmly!)”
Trump also announced that Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C., will host a viewing party, and he plans to join the crowd for the inaugural parade after the ceremony.
The president-elect confirmed that all other events will proceed as scheduled, including the victory rally on Sunday, January 19, at 3 p.m. at Capital One Arena, and the three inaugural balls on Monday night, January 20.
Capital One Arena, home to the Washington Capitals (NHL) and Washington Wizards (NBA), has a 20,000-seat capacity.
This will not be the first time an inauguration has been held in the Capitol Rotunda. Former President Ronald Reagan’s second swearing-in took place there in 1985, also due to extremely cold weather.
