Trump's inauguration moves inside Capitol due to dangerous weather forecast

President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony will move indoors to the U.S. Capitol Rotunda due to dangerously cold temperatures expected in Washington D.C., according to a CNN story about the change to the traditional outdoor ceremony. The decision comes as weather forecasts predict temperatures to drop to the low 20s on Inauguration Day, about 20 degrees below normal, with wind chills potentially falling to single digits. Winds between 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph are expected to create frigid conditions throughout the day. 

The move indoors marks only the second time in U.S. history that an inauguration has been held inside the Capitol. The story also mentions that the last indoor ceremony was Ronald Reagan's second inauguration in 1985, when temperatures reached just 7 degrees with a wind chill of -25 degrees. Law enforcement and security agencies now face the challenge of revising months of careful planning with just three days until the ceremony.

The change will affect attendance numbers significantly, as the indoor venue cannot accommodate the originally expected crowds, according to an NBC News story. While permits had estimated 30,000 people in the ticketed area and 250,000 in the public non-ticketed area, the new indoor plan will dramatically reduce capacity. To address this limitation, Trump announced that Capital One Arena, which holds a maximum of 20,000 people, will be opened for a live viewing of the ceremony.

The schedule adjustment means Trump will first take his oath of office in the Rotunda, then join supporters at Capital One Arena, where the Presidential Parade will also be hosted. While some supporters expressed disappointment at the change, with several telling reporters they had prepared for the cold weather and preferred an outdoor ceremony, the decision prioritizes public safety over the traditional outdoor spectacle that has characterized most presidential inaugurations throughout American history.

Trump addressed his followers on Truth Social, explaining that the decision prioritizes safety. He expressed concern for law enforcement, first responders, and the many supporters who would face severe weather for long time periods. He stated that while the main ceremony is set for indoors, everything else proceeds as scheduled, with a victory rally at Capital One Arena and three inaugural balls.

The swift response, documented in a Senate statement, demonstrates the bipartisan cooperation required to execute such a significant last-minute change to this historic event. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies quickly confirmed its support for the venue change, officially announcing that it would honor the president-elect's request to relocate the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies to the Capitol Rotunda.