President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, originally planned as an outdoor ceremony, will now be held indoors due to dangerously cold temperatures projected in Washington, D.C. The announcement, made on Friday, marks a rare decision to relocate the event, with the last indoor inauguration occurring in 1985 when Ronald Reagan took the oath of office inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda amid freezing temperatures.
The relocation has prompted a last-minute scramble for federal and local authorities, including the Secret Service, D.C. Police, and U.S. Capitol Police, who now have just days to devise a new security plan. Typically, such measures take months of preparation.
The event was expected to draw hundreds of thousands of ticketed guests and require the participation of approximately 25,000 law enforcement and military personnel. Moving the ceremony indoors presents significant logistical challenges, but officials emphasize safety as the top priority.
Trump’s inauguration festivities will continue with adjustments. The traditional parade, initially set to take place along Pennsylvania Avenue, has been canceled and replaced with an indoor event at Capital One Arena. Other activities, including a victory rally and the inaugural balls, remain on schedule.
The decision underscores the unpredictable nature of January weather in the nation’s capital, as well as the need for swift adaptability during major events.