(NewsNation) — The blistering cold has forced President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration to be moved indoors, altering logistical details of the 47th installment of the presidential welcome ceremony.
Monday’s forecast for Washington, D.C., shows an expected high in the low 20s, with a wind chill in the single digits.
That would make it the coldest inauguration on record since President Ronald Reagan’s in 1985. Reagan is the only other president to move his ceremony indoors.
Trump inauguration moved indoors due to bitter cold forecast
On Truth Social, Trump posted the decision was made because he did not want anyone hurt or injured at the event and said Capitol One Arena would be open for a live viewing and the inaugural parade.
“I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way,” Trump said.
Where will the inauguration be held?
Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance will now take the oath of office in the Capitol Rotunda instead of the usual location at the west front of the Capitol.
Reagan’s second inauguration is the first time a president took the oath in the Rotunda.
The temperature for that 1985 swearing-in ceremony was 7 degrees. The morning low was 4 below zero, and the daytime high was 17. Wind chill temperatures during the afternoon were in the -10 to -20 range.
President Reagan is sworn in for a second term in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol (Credit: Reagan Library)
What’s different about an indoor inauguration?
The customary parade down Pennsylvania Avenue was called off during Reagan’s indoor inauguration due to the weather, according to 1985 coverage of the event by the Los Angeles Times.
“The health and safety of those attending and working at these outdoor events must come before any celebrations,” Reagan had said in a statement, according to the outlet.
Only 96 guests had been invited to attend the swearing-in, but the White House ceremony was witnessed by millions watching on national television, the outlet reported.
Trump’s change means fewer people will be able to watch the ceremony, which will also be broadcast on TV.
Attendance at Reagan’s inauguration was limited to members of Congress and the Cabinet, and their families, White House spokesman Larry Speakes said at the time. Reagan’s inaugural committee had originally given out 140,000 tickets to the scheduled outdoor swearing-in.
Trump’s inauguration was expected to be attended by hundreds of thousands of ticketed guests.
How to watch Trump’s inauguration on NewsNation
President Reagan speaks during the inaugural ceremony in the United States Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C. (Credit: Reagan Library)
In 1985, temperatures were so bitter that Reagan and then-Vice President George Bush stepped outside for just 35 seconds to take photos on the North Portico of the White House, the outlet had reported.
“Oh, wow!” the president exclaimed, as he faced the subzero conditions. When asked by reporters what would be different about his second term, the former California governor replied: “Well, I hope it will be warmer.”
Age was a big factor in the decision to take Reagan’s event indoors, the outlet reported. Reagan was 74 at the time, which would have posed health hardships.
President William Henry Harrison died from pneumonia one month after catching a cold after spending five hours in chilling wind and rain at his 1841 inauguration, according to the LA Times.
At 78, Trump is the oldest person to be elected president.
What happens now with the inauguration?
With three days left before the inauguration, the Secret Service, D.C. and U.S. Capitol Police and other agencies are scrambling to determine how moving the inauguration and parade indoors will change security plans for Monday, CNN reported.
Trump said his team would open Capital One Arena on Monday for live viewing and to host the Presidential Parade.
“I will join the crowd at Capital One, after my Swearing In,” Trump said.
Melania Trump looks on as President-elect Donald Trump arrives for a New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago on Dec. 31, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
