Washington: After a gap of 40 years, an American President will be sworn in indoors.
According to President-elect Donald Trump, his swearing-in ceremony will be held inside the US Capitol instead of outdoors due to the forecast for ‘dangerous’ cold conditions in the capital city Washington DC.
Trump, who beat Kamala Harris comfortably in the November election, will assume office on January 20. This will be his second term, having earlier served as President from 2017-2021.
Taking to his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said his inauguration address, and other speeches, will take place inside the US Capitol’s rotunda as he didn’t want to see people suffering amid freezing temperatures.
“The weather forecast for Washington DC, 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,” Trump wrote.
A brutally cold Arctic blast is expected to sweep through southern Canada this weekend before entering the US by Saturday morning (evening India time). The forecast is that it will then rush into West and Central US through Saturday and parts of the South and East on Sunday, CNN reported.
On January 20, the inauguration day, temperatures could hit a low of minus 12 degrees Celsius and a high of minus 5 degrees Celsius in Washington DC.
“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!),” Trump stated.
The last time an inauguration ceremony was held indoors was during former President Ronald Reagan’s second term, in 1985, also due to extreme cold conditions.
“I have ordered the inauguration address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the US Capitol rotunda, as was used by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of very cold weather. The various dignitaries and guests will be brought to the Capitol. This will be a very beautiful experience for all, and especially for the large TV audience!” Trump added.
The 78-year-old Republican leader also said that the Capital One Arena — a sports venue in downtown Washington DC that can accommodate 20,000 people — would be open for a live viewing of the inaugural address.
