The swearing-in ceremony has been moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda because of expected inclement weather.
WASHINGTON—Anti-scale fences are up, roadblocks are ready, and driving will be like navigating a maze as the nation’s capital prepares for President-elect Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration.
Trump’s inaugural team has put together a weekend of celebratory events that will feature performances by music stars, including Carrie Underwood, the Village People, Kid Rock, and Lee Greenwood.
The 60th Presidential Inauguration ceremony will take place inside the Capitol Rotunda due to a frigid forecast, with temperatures expected to drop to 10 degrees.
President Ronald Reagan had to go that route in 1985 when freezing temperatures descended upon the District and its environs.
Secret Service Communications Director Anthony Guglielmi issued a statement on X that the agency will adapt its plans to match the new swearing-in location.
DC’s Capitol One Arena will be open for those who want to watch the events indoors and will host the Presidential Parade. All other events will take place as planned.
The National Mall may still be filled with hundreds of thousands of people braving the cold—more than 250,000 ticketed attendees were expected, according to authorities.
Local law enforcement and city officials are confident they are thoroughly prepped for the event.
Beefed-Up Security
Around the Capitol building, extra security measures have been in place for a while.
Over the last two weeks, the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter and Congress’s return from winter break have brought foreign dignitaries and heads of state to Washington.
Visitors to the Capitol will have noted the extra, temporary fencing surrounding the area, with more to be added, totaling 30 miles of anti-scale fencing.
Members of the public attending the swearing-in ceremony will be required to pass through security checkpoints.
“For residents and businesses, most of the impact of the inauguration will be felt in the area directly around the National Mall, the U.S. Capitol, the Convention Center, and around Union Station,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said during a Jan. 13 press conference.
In addition to miles of fencing, road closures will begin on Sunday morning, Jan. 19, further restricting the areas mentioned by Bowser.
“We encourage people to show up early just because of the size of the crowds we expect,” said Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger.
“The biggest threat for all of us remains the lone actor.”
According to FBI agent David Sundberg, the assistant director in charge of the Washington bureau, there are currently no credible threats to the Capitol ahead of the inauguration.
By Jackson Richman and Stacy Robinson
