Donald Trump’s inauguration day promises to be a historic event. For the first time in decades, the ceremony will be held inside the Capitol, featuring world leaders and Silicon Valley moguls. It will mark the beginning of a presidency that will bring many changes, including the signing of dozens of executive orders. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect on this highly anticipated day.
Morning: Mass and Tea with the Bidens
Donald Trump will begin his big day at 8:30 AM (13:30 GMT) with his wife, Melania Trump. The couple will attend a religious service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, located directly across from the White House. This church is significant for incoming presidents, as it is a traditional place for such ceremonies. In fact, Trump was already there in 2020 when he posed holding a Bible after police cleared protesters during the demonstrations following George Floyd’s death.
After the service, around 9:45 AM (14:45 GMT), Donald and Melania will head to the White House for a traditional tea with outgoing President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. This act symbolizes a peaceful transition between the two administrations.
Midday: Donald Trump’s Swearing-In
After the tea, the two couples will travel together in the same vehicle to the Capitol. At noon (local time), Donald Trump will take the oath of office as President of the United States.
The ceremony will be held under the theme “Our Enduring Democracy: A Constitutional Promise,” emphasizing the values of continuity and democracy. Due to extremely cold temperatures (ranging from -11 to -4 degrees, with a wind chill even colder and snow expected), the swearing-in ceremony will take place inside the Capitol for the first time since Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1981. The chosen location will be the Capitol Rotunda, a symbolic space that connects the Senate and the House of Representatives, where Trump will also deliver his inaugural address.
Afternoon: Lunch with Legislators
Once the swearing-in ceremony concludes, Joe Biden and his wife Jill will depart the Capitol to attend a farewell event at Andrews Air Force Base (in Maryland), from where they will travel to California.
Meanwhile, Trump and his vice president-elect, J.D. Vance, will attend a lunch with lawmakers at the Capitol. Due to the cold weather, the traditional parade to the White House will not take place. Instead, Trump will head to the Capital One Arena, where he held his “victory rally” the night before. There, he could sign some of the executive orders he has promised to enact on his first day as president.
Arrival at the White House
Around 5:00 PM (22:00 GMT), Donald Trump will arrive at the White House. He will continue with his agenda and may keep signing executive orders. According to reports, he will most likely find a farewell letter from Biden on his desk in the Oval Office, a tradition where outgoing presidents leave a message with reflections and advice for their successor.
In the evening, Trump and Melania will attend the traditional inaugural balls. The first will be the Commander-in-Chief’s Ball, where Trump and his wife will have their first dance. Country band Rascal Flatts and singer Parker McCollum will perform. Additionally, two other balls will be held: the Liberty Inaugural Ball and the Starlight Ball.
Tuesday: Closing of the Celebrations
The following day, Tuesday, will close the celebrations with the traditional National Prayer Service, a solemn ceremony that reinforces the importance of the moment and marks the official end of the inauguration of a new president.
This will be a day full of tradition, symbolism, and new beginnings for the United States. A historic day to remember!
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