BREAKING: Inauguration Change of Plans

With just three days to go, there’s been a change in plans.

The inauguration is now indoors.

And so now the Secret Service and other agencies are scrambling to update security plans for Monday’s inauguration and parade.

Originally planned over months as a National Special Security Event, the shift forces a rapid change to protect the those attending.

Was this done to thwart any attack plans that were already in place?

🚨 #BREAKING: Trump inauguration OFFICIALLY moved indoors, President-elect announces.

Trump will join the crowd from inside Capital One arena after being sworn in inside the Capitol for the parade. pic.twitter.com/jqFoRgo15Y

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 17, 2025

Trump’s Inauguration has been moved indoors, in Capitol Rotunda. pic.twitter.com/gk2VKLtfkS

— MAGAfan1776 (@magafan1776) January 17, 2025

President Trump posted to Truth Social:

January 20th cannot come fast enough! Everybody, even those that initially opposed a Victory by President Donald J. Trump and the Trump Administration, just want it to happen. It is my obligation to protect the People of our Country but, before we even begin, we have to think of the Inauguration itself. The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the windchill factor, could take temperatures into severe record lows. There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. 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 (In any event, if you decide to come, dress warmly!).

Therefore, 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. The various Dignitaries and Guests will be brought into the Capitol. This will be a very beautiful experience for all, and especially for the large TV audience!

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.

All other events will remain the same, including the Victory Rally at Capital One Arena, on Sunday at 3 P.M. (Doors open at 1 P.M.—Please arrive early!), and all three Inaugural Balls on Monday evening.

Everyone will be safe, everyone will be happy, and we will, together, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

Trump announces the inauguration will take place indoors this year. pic.twitter.com/auNJ5T3c5r

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 17, 2025

CNN reports:

President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration will be moved indoors, he announced Friday, due to dangerously cold temperatures projected in the nation’s capital.

“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.

“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,” Trump added.

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CNN reported earlier Friday that plans were underway for Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance to be sworn in in the Rotunda and that Trump’s team was in talks to potentially hold some of the festivities at the arena, where Trump will host a rally on Sunday.

“The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies will honor the request of the President-elect and his Presidential Inaugural Committee to move the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies inside the U.S. Capitol to the Rotunda,” the committee said in a statement.

The committee always makes contingency plans to host the inauguration in multiple locations in case of weather or other obstacles, but the challenge now is where to put the thousands of people who would have been outside but cannot all fit in the Rotunda.

“The vast majority of ticketed guests will not be able to attend the ceremonies in person,” the committee said in a notice sent to ticket holders later Friday. It urged would-be spectators to watch at “indoor venues of their choice,” adding that it’s “designating certain places to watch and will provide additional information.” The committee said that those with tickets for the Presidential Platform and members of Congress will be able to attend in person.

The Secret Service and other agencies, including DC and US Capitol Police, are working to determine how moving the inauguration and parade indoors will change security plans for Monday, two law enforcement sources familiar with the planning told CNN.

Agencies now have just three days to put together a new security plan that previously took months to plan. The agencies have worked since early 2024 planning for the inauguration — designated by the Department of Homeland Security as a National Special Security Event, which triggers a multi-pronged federal approach.

President Ronald Reagan also had an indoor inauguration:

Footage of Reagan’s 1985 indoor inauguration👇

The last indoor ceremony, held due to −13°C temperatures. This time, it’s −6°C. It’s seemingly lacking the grandeur of the usual outdoor swearing in, hence the surprise that @realDonaldTrump agreed. pic.twitter.com/I5EksSalL2

— lukas_J (@XLukasjames) January 17, 2025