U.S. President-elect Donald Trump leaves after attending a rally the day before he is scheduled to be inaugurated for a second term, in Washington, U.S., January 19, 2025. REUTERS/Brian Snyder Purchase Licensing Rights
REUTERS | Published January 20, 2025
WASHINGTON, Jan 20 (Reuters) – Donald Trump will be sworn in as president of the United States on Monday, ushering in his second term in office and capping one of the most astounding political comebacks in American history.
Inauguration Day is, by tradition, largely dedicated to pomp and circumstance. One president leaves the White House, and another moves in. But Trump also has pledged to sign a flurry of executive orders on subjects ranging from border security to oil and gas production on his first day in office.
Here is what we know about Inauguration Day:
WHEN IS THE INAUGURATION?
Trump will take the oath of office, administered by Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts, at 12 p.m. EST (1700 GMT). It was originally due to take place in front of the U.S. Capitol but will now take place inside the congressional complex because of bitter cold.
Trump will then deliver his inaugural address. In interviews, he has said he intends it to be uplifting and unifying. That would mark a departure from his first Inauguration Day speech in 2017, which detailed a broken country he described as “American Carnage.”
The outgoing president, Democrat Joe Biden, has said he plans to attend the ceremony and witness the transfer of power, a courtesy Trump, a Republican, did not afford him four years earlier.
Trump has broken with precedent and invited several foreign leaders to the ceremony. Historically, they have not attended the inauguration due to security concerns and have sent diplomats in their stead.
Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, a strong supporter of Trump’s, has said he will attend, according to reports.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said she hopes to attend. Chinese President Xi Jinping is not attending, despite an invitation, but is sending a senior envoy.
The temperatures have also forced organizers to scrap a planned parade down Pennsylvania Avenue of military regiments, school marching bands, floats and citizens’ groups. The parade will now take place at the 20,000-seat Capital One Arena in downtown Washington.
GETTING TO WORK
During a rally on Sunday, Trump said he would sign a number of executive actions on Monday covering a range of issues, from ending government programs aimed at ensuring gender and racial diversity in the workplace to securing the southern border with Mexico.
RELATED: Donald Trump Inauguration Performers 2025: The Full Lineup
President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C.; Carrie Underwood (left inset) on December 6, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee; Billy Ray Cyrus (right inset) on April 1, 2022, in Las Vegas. A host of musicians will perform for Trump’s inauguration this year.
NEWSWEEK | Published January 20, 2025
When President-elect Donald Trump is officially sworn into office later today, he will do so before and after a host of musicians perform in celebration of the ceremony, including Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood.
As with previous inaugural ceremonies, the event will feature a slew of performers. In the days leading up to the high-profile ceremony, the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee confirmed a number of these acts.
“The 60th Inauguration will herald President Trump’s triumphant return to the White House and the start of the great American comeback,” the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee co-chairs, Steve Witkoff and Kelly Loeffler, said in a joint statement.
They added: “These special events will honor the rich history and tradition of our great nation, the American people, and the promise our country holds for future generations. We look forward to celebrating with all of you in Washington, D.C.—and ushering in a new golden era of strength, success and common sense in the Oval Office.”
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