United States President-elect Donald Trump has confirmed that his inauguration ceremony on January 20 has been moved indoors due to dangerously cold weather expected in the nation’s capital next week.
In a rare move, the inaugural address, along with other speeches, will now take place inside the US Capitol’s rotunda instead of the traditional outdoor setting. The decision came as forecasters warned of severe winter conditions that could pose risks to attendees.
“The safety and comfort of all participants are our top priorities,” a spokesperson for the inaugural committee stated. “Given the forecast, we believe this is the best course of action.”
The inaugural parade, typically a grand procession down Pennsylvania Avenue, will also be relocated. Instead, it will be held inside Washington’s Capital One Arena, ensuring that spectators and participants are shielded from the extreme cold. Additionally, all three inaugural balls, which celebrate the incoming administration, will also take place indoors at the same venue.
LEADERSHIP reports that the last time a US president took the oath of office indoors due to weather concerns was in 1985, when Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration was moved inside the Capitol because of extreme cold.
With temperatures expected to be similarly brutal this year, officials have opted to prioritise safety while maintaining the traditional pomp and ceremony of the occasion.
Despite the changes, organisers assured that the event will be “no less historic” and that the modified arrangements will still allow Americans to witness and celebrate the transition of power.
