A cold front has blown into Washington D.C.
In fact, the bout of cold weather has affected the Jan. 20 Presidential Inauguration, causing the ceremony that will see Donald Trump sworn in for a second term to be moved inside.
“I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda, as was used by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of very cold weather,” Trump posted on Truth Social Jan. 17. “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.”
He added, “I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way. It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of Law Enforcement, First Responders, Police K9s and even horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters that will be outside for many hours on the 20th.”
The decision affects those who bought tickets to attend the ceremony—where President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will pass the reins to Trump and J.D. Vance—as the Rotunda cannot hold as many people as the lawn of the U.S. Capitol building.
Instead, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies encouraged ticket holders to find “indoor venues of their choice” from which to watch the proceedings, noting, “The vast majority of ticketed guests will not be able to attend the ceremonies in person.”
The committee added that those who had tickets to view the ceremony from Presidential Platform as well as members of Congress will be able to attend the indoor ceremony.
But despite the changes made, the majority of the schedule of events for the inauguration will continue as planned—including a performance of “America the Beautiful” by Carrie Underwood, who will be joined by the Armed Forced Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club.
“I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” she said in a statement to E! News Jan. 13. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”
In addition to the country star’s performance, opera singer Christoper Macchio will perform the national anthem while Lee Greenwood will perform his song “God Bless the USA.”
