Donald Trump will become the 47th president of the United States on January 20, 2025. This historic return to the presidency follows his previous 2017-2021 term. The inauguration falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which makes this federal holiday even more meaningful.
The 60th Inaugural Ceremonies will celebrate “Our Enduring Democracy: A Constitutional Promise.” Trump will take his presidential oath at the Capitol at 11 a.m. CT. He chose two most important Bibles for the ceremony – his personal Bible from 1955 and Lincoln’s historic Bible from 1861. Washington D.C. expects around 200,000 people to attend these ceremonies. Popular artists Carrie Underwood and Lee Greenwood will perform at this historic event. Weather forecasts predict temperatures will drop to -11°C, so the ceremony will move indoors to ensure a smooth constitutional transfer of power.
Key Inauguration Day 2025 Details
The 60th Presidential Inauguration ceremonies start with security screening at 5 a.m. EST on January 20, 2025. The historic day features a series of carefully arranged events leading up to the main moment.
Official Timeline and Schedule
A service at St. John’s Episcopal Church kicks off the morning. The incoming and outgoing first families then meet for the traditional White House tea. The swearing-in ceremony begins at noon EST, which lines up with the constitutional requirement for transfer of power. The president, vice president, and congressional leaders gather afterward for a congressional luncheon at the Capitol’s Statuary Hall.
Location Changes Due to Weather
The ceremony will move indoors to the Capitol Rotunda because temperatures are expected to reach 22 degrees Fahrenheit (minus-6 Celsius). This marks the first indoor ceremony since Reagan’s 1985 inauguration. The U.S. Capitol Police have closed all outside ticketed areas. People can watch the events and presidential parade at the Capital One Arena instead.
How to Watch Live Coverage
Networks provide complete coverage of Inauguration Day. PBS News starts special coverage at 10:30 a.m. EST. Fox News begins broadcasting at 4 a.m. EST, while ABC News launches with a special edition of “Good Morning America” at 7 a.m. EST. CNN plans to broadcast from midnight through 4 a.m. the following day. NBC’s coverage starts with a special edition of the “Today” show that broadcasts live from Washington, D.C..
Constitutional Transfer of Power
The constitutional framework sets clear rules about transferring executive power. The 20th Amendment specifies the power transfer happens at noon on January 20, 2025.
When Trump Officially Takes Office
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will end their presidential terms at 11 a.m. CT on January 20. The Constitution mandates Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance to take office automatically, even before their oath ceremony.
Oath of Office Requirements
A strict constitutional protocol guides the swearing-in process. J.D. Vance takes his oath first with these words:
“support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; bear true faith and allegiance to the same; take this obligation freely, without mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office“.
The presidential oath comes next, and Trump must repeat the exact words from Article II of the Constitution: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States“.
Role of Outgoing Administration
President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will welcome the Trumps with a traditional White House tea. This symbolic meeting shows the peaceful transfer of power between administrations. The Bidens will leave the Capitol after the swearing-in ceremony with an honorary farewell. The ceremony’s key attendees include the outgoing president and vice president with their spouses Doug Emhoff and Jill Biden.
Inauguration Day Events Schedule
Security screening starts at 5:00 AM EST on inauguration day, marking the beginning of a carefully organized sequence of events.
Morning Ceremonies and Services
Trump starts his day at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square with a traditional prayer service. The president-elect and Melania Trump meet Joe and Jill Biden at the White House for the customary tea. Musical performances begin at 9:30 AM EST and set the stage for the ceremonies ahead.
Swearing-in Ceremony Details
The Capitol Rotunda comes alive with performances by The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Combined Choirs and “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. Carrie Underwood performs “America the Beautiful” with the Armed Forces Chorus and Naval Academy Glee Club. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh administers the vice-presidential oath to JD Vance. Chief Justice John Roberts then conducts Trump’s presidential oath.
Evening Balls and Celebrations
Three distinguished balls conclude the inaugural festivities:
- The Commander in Chief Ball honors military service members with Rascal Flatts and Parker McCollum performing
- The Liberty Ball celebrates Trump’s supporters through performances by Nelly, Jason Aldean, and The Village People
- The Starlight Ball welcomes the president’s high-dollar donors with Gavin DeGraw providing entertainment
Trump signs documents in the President’s Signing Room near the Senate Chamber. He then attends the Joint Congressional Committee’s inaugural luncheon at Statuary Hall. The celebrations move to Capital One Arena due to cold weather, where the traditional parade takes place.
Special Guests and Performances
Global leaders, tech executives, and entertainment figures will join Trump’s second presidential inauguration.
Notable Attendees and Dignitaries
The world’s three wealthiest individuals – Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg – will take their places on the inaugural platform. Tech giants like Apple CEO Tim Cook and TikTok CEO Shou Chew will also attend.
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will represent President Xi Jinping at the ceremony. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Argentine President Javier Milei have confirmed they will attend. Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton will be there with their spouses to witness this historic moment.
Musical Performances Lineup
Several accomplished artists will perform at different venues during the inaugural celebrations:
- Swearing-in Ceremony: Carrie Underwood will sing “America the Beautiful” with the Armed Forces Chorus, while Christopher Macchio will perform the national anthem
- Make America Great Again Victory Rally: Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Greenwood, and The Village People
- Liberty Ball: Jason Aldean and The Village People
- Commander-in-Chief Ball: Rascal Flatts and Parker McCollum
- Starlight Ball: Gavin DeGraw
Parade Participants
The inaugural parade will feature 7,500 participants from 23 states. The procession will showcase the NYPD Emerald Society Pipes & Drums, Liberty University’s “Spirit of the Mountain” Marching Band, and the Culver Academies Black Horse Troop. The parade will move to Capital One Arena instead of its usual outdoor route. All branches of the U.S. Armed Forces will still participate in this ceremonial event.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s return to the presidency marks one of the most important moments in American political history. The 60th Inaugural Ceremonies moved indoors because of severe weather but kept their constitutional importance and ceremonial grandeur. Global tech leaders, international dignitaries, and former presidents attended this historic transfer of power.
The well-coordinated events started with the morning prayer service and ended with three distinguished balls that showcased American democratic traditions. The constitutional transfer of power happened at noon on January 20, 2025, and proved the strength of American democratic institutions.
Traditional elements like the Lincoln Bible combined with modern touches from tech industry representatives created a unique inaugural celebration. Star performers entertained at multiple venues while a relocated but energetic parade featured 7,500 participants from 23 states. These celebrations served as proof of American democracy’s strength and gave a glimpse into Trump’s second presidential term.
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