Every four years America’s president is sworn in on Inauguration Day, whether newly elected or returning to office, in a long-established ceremony held amid pageantry influenced by the incoming leader’s tastes.
The United States Constitution mandates that each new president’s term begin at noon on January 20 [or the day after if it falls on a Sunday] and that the president take the oath of office.
Recently, American presidents have been sworn in from an enormous temporary platform on the Capitol’s scenic West Lawn.
This time, owing to a frigid forecast, it will take place inside the Capitol Rotunda.
In a social media post, Trump said the event was moved indoors due to the forecasted freezing temperatures.
“The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the wind chill factor, could take temperatures into severe record lows,” he wrote.
“There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way.”
The returning leader said supporters could watch a live feed from Washington’s Capital One sports arena, which holds up to 20,000—and he promised to drop in later.
The oath is traditionally administered by the Supreme Court chief justice, and it would be John Roberts’s second time officiating for Trump.
The new president then delivers an inaugural address, laying out his plans for the next four years.
Incoming vice president JD Vance will also be sworn in.
Outgoing President Joe Biden will attend the ceremony.
All living former presidents—Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama—will attend, as will their wives, except for Michelle Obama.
Also, Hillary Clinton, whom Trump beat in the 2016 presidential election, in addition to Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he beat in November, will be there.
Heads of state are not traditionally invited, but Trump has sent invitations to a handful of foreign leaders.
Far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will attend, her office confirmed Saturday.
Hungary’s Viktor Orban, Argentine President Javier Milei, and China’s Xi Jinping have also been invited, but not all will attend.
Meanwhile, the Republican has invited several tech titans to attend the inauguration, joining more traditional guests such as his cabinet nominees.
Billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg will attend as will Shou Chew, the head of Chinese social media giant TikTok, according to US media.
Trump is expected to attend all three official inaugural galas on Monday night with more than a dozen others planned.
In addition, he will put on a “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” on Sunday evening at Capital One Arena.
As early as his first day in office, Trump said he would sign multiple executive orders aimed at undoing many of the Biden administration’s policies.
He also called for a meeting between US officials and foreign ministers from Japan, India and Australia, the so-called “Quad,” immediately after the inauguration.
Among other promises, he has pledged to launch a mass deportation program and increase oil drilling.
On Friday, the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. hosted a reception for the incoming Trump administration.
In a social media post, Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said that the embassy event was attended by representatives from “the incoming administration, US Congress, Trump campaign and transition team, donors and media.” With AFP
