Discussions Reportedly Underway To Potentially Move Inauguration To INSIDE White House

There have been reports all day that another change could be coming after the swearing-in ceremony was moved inside the Capitol Rotunda.

According to several sources — they themselves quoting various “sources” — there are conversations about having the ceremony inside the White House, instead.

I can neither verify these sources (because it isn’t clear who they are), nor deny the validity.

Quite frankly, moving the ceremony to the White House was one of the top alternatives being floated over the last few weeks — so it make sense.

But is there any truth to the rumor?  Here’s what I’m seeing at the moment.

Per sources, there is discussion of moving inauguration activities to the White House.

— Juliegrace Brufke (@juliegraceb) January 18, 2025

Juliegrace Brufke is no lightweight.  She’s a serious reporter with serious connections and years of scoops under her belt.

As wild as it may sound that we might see yet another set of big changes to Monday’s inauguration, reason tells me it is imprudent to dismiss the possibility out of hand when Juliegrace is the one citing anonymous “sources”.

But there would be challenges.

Another journalist with a knack for pushing good breaking news full time over X is Diligent Denizen.

🚨🇺🇸 Word on the journalism street is there's discussion of moving inauguration activities to the White House. pic.twitter.com/x2Jv2MeHzb

— Diligent Denizen 🇺🇸 (@DiligentDenizen) January 18, 2025

Though he doesn’t mention any sources, including anonymous sources, that makes two journalists pointing towards a possible move to the White House.

Another thing to consider is the reasoning for making the initial changes.

According to President Trump one of the key reasons for making the changes is the weather.  It is going to be absolutely frigid with terrible wind chill.

But as Benny Johnson discussed with former White House Deputy Press Secretary who served during President Trump’s first term, the security risks definitively played a role in the initial changes.

🚨Former Trump White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley reveals security concerns could have played a role in moving Trump’s Inauguration indoors

"You're talking about security risks. It's not far-fetched to think someone would try to assassinate him for the third time" pic.twitter.com/SgKDT3Hxp0

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 17, 2025

If that logic was sound, then it is still sound.  Maybe more so, considering the weather forecast is worse than before.

Here’s the report from the National Weather Report that President Trump shared along with his announcement of the initial changes to the Capitol building:

The changes will put President Trump inside the Capitol Rotunda for the swearing-in ceremony, rather than outside within direct line-of-sight of thousands of people, according to a report in the Guardian:

The change of plan means Trump will not stand on the Capitol steps overlooking the National Mall, which traditionally hosts a large crowd to welcome new presidents. The Rotunda, an ornate, round hall under the dome of Congress, can typically only hold a few hundred people.

Washington is forecast to be well below freezing on Monday, with gusty winds adding to the cold.

Preparations have already been made in Washington for a huge influx of visitors — including thousands of chairs neatly lined up on the Mall — but most will now have to watch on television.

It’s the first time the emergency measure has been taken since the 1985 inauguration of Ronald Reagan, also due to dangerously cold weather.

Not to mention that all the security dangers we’ve been worrying about for months are apparently still in play.

And the White House would arguably have even better hardened security than the Capitol — at least in terms of protecting a single VIP like the President, as opposed to a sprawling complex with far less ability to completely lock down all movement in or out.

On top of that, keep in mind that there has been controversy surrounding multiple DC area police departments who would normally be pitching in to help secure the inauguration, who are all bowing out this time around.

Dozens of DC area Police Departments Refuse To Help Secure Inauguration

Given, the reason seems to be a difference in tactics that may come in to play if demonstrations turn less-than-mostly-peaceful than anything political.

But still, it is a very odd thing to suddenly have more than a DOZEN local departments playing a hands-off approach to the inauguration.

All of this adds up to one thing -- a huge last minute change in the security plan, according to a report on First Post:

The decision to move the ceremony indoors has prompted significant changes to security arrangements. Originally, over 30 miles of fencing and multiple security checkpoints were planned to manage the outdoor crowd, expected to exceed 250,000.

Now, law enforcement agencies, including the US Secret Service and Capitol Police, are adapting these plans to the indoor setting.

Alexi Worley, a spokesperson for the agencies overseeing the event, stated, “The US Secret Service is working closely with Trump’s inaugural committee and the congressional committee to adapt our security plans as needed due to the expected inclement weather.”

The Joint Task Force-National Capital Region is working to finalise adjustments for the parade and other inaugural activities. Marching bands and participants from across the country are expected to take part in the revised celebrations inside the arena.

And then there is another component that hints at the possibility of more security threats in play than we're being told about.

James O'Keefe put out a video earlier today pointing out an internal memo from the VA requesting "heightened medical readiness" in relation to the inauguration.

This has reportedly never happened for previous inaugurations, and begs the simple question -- why now?

‼️James O’Keefe: There is a “Heightened Medical Readiness” that has never been Requested Before, surrounding Donald Trumps Inauguration on January 20, 2025
😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/iKKooGIJZn

— Blondelady2024 (@arva61138) January 18, 2025

According to O'Keefe's investigation, an alleged "high level source" within the VA pointed out that a request for DEMPS (Disaster Emergency Medical Personnel System) had never happened before, until now.

The source was unsure why it had happened, but she is convinced it isn't normal.

So, what does all this mean?

Maybe... nothing.  It is highly likely that no additional big changes to the current plan will occur, considering we are down to the wire.

But these aren't ordinary times, and President Trump isn't an ordinary Executive.  We have all seen him stand resolute in the face of danger.

But we have also seen him play his cards very carefully, tactfully, with the greater long-term plan in mind.

And we know that he would not hesitate to make additional changes -- even large ones -- if he believed it necessary to keep everyone safe, himself included.

So will the current plan go forward, or are we about to see a shift to the White House location?

At the moment, everything still seems to be steamrolling forward according to the Capitol Rotunda plan.

They've begun building the stage in the Capitol Rotunda where President Trump will take the oath of office.

It's sad that I won't get to witness what I flew to DC to witness, but Democrats have gotten too deranged & dangerous lately. It's better to be safe than sorry pic.twitter.com/JIriZQNNBI

— George (@BehizyTweets) January 17, 2025

That said... I highly doubt these sources plus James O'Keefe's source in the VA are all making things up.

It certainly seems plausible that a threat scenario could be playing out, and the intel is pushing for another last minute change to err on the side of caution.

And it may be part of the initial plan change from the start; shift the public expectation to the Rotunda where the number of people allowed to be in attendance is greatly reduced, and then a VERY last minute shift to the White House will increase the ability to keep any threat element guessing, with no more impact to those effected beyond the initial move to the Rotunda.

At any rate, it doesn't matter to me where he puts his hand on that Bible and takes that sacred oath to protect the Constitution from all enemies, "both foreign and domestic"...

All that matters to me is that he does so as soon as possible, as safely as possible, and then gets down to business right out of the gate.

In the meantime we would do well to take the rumors with a grain of salt the closer we get to go-time.  If anything changes, we'll bring you the latest right here as soon as that information becomes available.