 "Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th US president. AP")
President-elect Donald Trump announced that his inauguration on Monday will take place indoors at the U.S. Capitol instead of outside due to the extreme cold temperatures
“The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., 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,” Reuters quoted Trump as saying on his Truth Social platform on Friday.
“Therefore, I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda,” Trump added.
Trump recalled that the last time an inauguration was moved indoors due to cold weather was during former Republican President Ronald Reagan’s second swearing-in in 1985.
He noted that supporters can watch the ceremony on screens at the Capital One Arena, a downtown Washington sports venue that accommodates 20,000 people.
This significant change in plans means Trump will not be standing on the Capitol steps overlooking the National Mall, which typically hosts a large crowd to welcome new presidents.
Weather forecasts predict that Washington will be well below freezing on Monday, with wind chill making it feel even colder.
In his post, Trump said that “various Dignitaries and Guests” will attend the events inside the Capitol, including prayers, Trump’s inaugural address, and singing of the anthem.
However, the Republican, who has built a political brand around his staging of large rallies, said supporters could watch the event on a live feed in Washington’s Capital One sports arena - and that he would go there after.
Trump, 78, said the ceremonies in the Rotunda “will be a very beautiful experience for all, and especially for the large TV audience!”
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More Shorts“We will open Capital One Arena on Monday for LIVE viewing of this Historic event, and to host the Presidential Parade. I will join the crowd at Capital One, after my Swearing In.”
With inputs from agencies