Donald Trump arrives in Washington on Saturday night ahead of his second inauguration as President.
Trump took off from West Palm Beach, Florida, with his wife Melania Trump and their son Barron aboard a US military C-32 aircraft on a flight dubbed Special Air Mission 47 – a nod to Trump becoming the 47th president on Monday. ,
This is a courtesy that is traditionally extended by the outgoing administration to the incoming administration. Trump did not provide a government aircraft to President Joe Biden before his inauguration in 2021. Instead, the Democrat flew to Washington on a private chartered plane.
Celebrations for Trump’s return to power were scheduled to begin Saturday evening with fireworks at his Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, about 30 miles from Washington.
With bitter gusts of Arctic air expected to bring extremely cold temperatures across the nation’s capital on Inauguration Day, organizers were scrambling to get inside most of Monday’s outdoor events, including the swearing-in ceremony.
“I think we made the right decision. Now we’ll be very comfortable,” Trump told NBC News in a phone interview Saturday.
On Pennsylvania Avenue leading to the White House, workers were dismantling metal bleachers that were used for outdoor inauguration viewing stands.
Timothy Wallis, 58, flew in from Pocatello, Idaho, for the inauguration with friends. The group had tickets to watch the ceremony outside but could not get tickets for any of the indoor events.
“We found out on the plane,” he said of the change in plans.
Wallis said she was disappointed and a little surprised by the change because she is used to cold weather at home.
“We left the snow to come here,” he said. “I brought my gloves!”
Trump, a Republican who left office in 2021 after refusing to accept his defeat to Democrat Joe Biden, led a mob to occupy the Capitol. After this he broke tradition by not attending Biden’s inauguration ceremony.
Biden will follow one of the most powerful symbols of the democratic transition, welcoming Trump to the White House and joining him in riding to the Capitol before Trump takes the oath of office.
When Trump first took the oath of office eight years ago, the billionaire former reality TV star came to disrupt Washington’s norms as an outsider, delivering a dark inaugural address as his swearing-in Mass protests and some street clashes occurred.
On Saturday, the protests were much less noticeable, eclipsed by the celebrations and ceremonies surrounding Trump’s assumption of power. As a further marker of Trump’s remarkable comeback, the events surrounding his inauguration will be more celebrity-laden than last time, with a notable appearance by a cadre of tech-world billionaires.
While Trump will hold court at his Virginia golf club on Saturday evening, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance will attend a reception for Cabinet members and host a dinner in Washington.
On Sunday, the eve of his inauguration, Trump is scheduled to attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery before heading to a rally at Capital One Arena in Washington. A private dinner will be organized after the rally.
On Inauguration Day, Trump will begin with a traditional prayer service at St. John’s Episcopal Church before heading to the White House for a traditional tea with the outgoing president and first lady.
Trump will then head to the Capitol, where his ceremony has been moved indoors. It’s unclear exactly how the ceremony will be adapted to the Capitol Rotunda, which can seat 600 people. More than 250,000 guests were given tickets to watch the inauguration from around the Capitol grounds.
After Trump takes the oath of office and delivers his inaugural address, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will be given a formal farewell. As soon as the new Republican administration takes power, Trump will head to a signing ceremony at the Capitol to approve his first official acts, followed by a congressional luncheon and a review of US troops.
As the traditional parade planned down Pennsylvania Avenue turned into an indoor event because of the cold, Trump again planned to speak to his gathered supporters before heading to the White House for a signing ceremony in the Oval Office. The evening will feature a trio of glitter balls accompanied by musical performances.
