Donald Trump will become US president for a second term on Monday in a day of pomp and circumstance that marks the peaceful transfer of power following his dramatic return to politics.
About 250,000 people are expected to brave the cold weather and descend on downtown Washington to see Trump become the 47th president of the US. He will be the second president in the history of this country to serve two consecutive terms, after Grover Cleveland in the late 1800s.
How will the day unfold?
The celebration will begin in the morning with a service at St Johns. Trump will then go to the White House to have tea with outgoing President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden before heading to the US Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony. With a celebration on the way, the day will be capped by bright, dark inaugural balls across Washington.
Main events of the inauguration day
The church service of St
Tea at the White House with Joe Biden and Jill Biden
11am in the morning
The swearing-in ceremony
With the event now indoors, Capitol One Arena will host live viewing
Goodbye to Biden and vice president Kamala Harris
President's Locker Room Ceremony
3.30pm est
Presidential Parade at Capital One Arena
Trump said he would “join the crowd” after the inauguration
Oval Office signing ceremony at the White House
What happens when the oath is taken?
The main event will take place in the rotunda of the US Capitol after the event was moved inside due to freezing temperatures, forecast to be around 5C during the event. It's the first time he's been held indoors since 1985, when Ronald Reagan suffered a severe cold. Usually, the ceremony is held on the marble terrace on the west side of the Capitol building, facing the National Mall.
After some music and an invocation, vice president-elect JD Vance will take his oath of office, placing his hand on the family bible that belonged to his maternal grandmother, administered by US Supreme Court associate Brett Kavanaugh.
US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will then administer the presidential oath, written into the constitution, to Trump. The president-elect will place his hand on the same two Bibles he used when he was first inaugurated: one given to him by his mother in 1955, and the other used by Abraham Lincoln in 1861.
Trump will officially become president when he takes the oath of office, around 12pm EST.
Presidential oath of office
I swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully fulfill the Office of the President of the United States, and will do my best to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Trump will then deliver his first address, setting out his vision for the next four years. In 2016, his 1,434th speech struck a dark tone as he declared that “the carnage in America stops here”.
Former presidents and first ladies, lawmakers, Trump, Vance and their families and friends will fill the Capitol to see the ceremony, as well as tech executives and billionaires including X owner Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to be absent from the inauguration as he fights to get his viral app back in the US.
Although foreign leaders are not accustomed to attending inaugurations, Beijing confirmed that Chinese vice president Han Zheng would attend after Trump extended an invitation to President Xi Jinping.
Will Trump make any policies today?
Trump is expected to sign about 100 executive actions after he is sworn in. He vowed to be a “dictator on day one” and on the campaign trail, Trump made many promises that would be made on his first day in office. They range from initiating mass deportations to imposing tariffs on exports, pardoning those accused of the January 6, 2021 Capitol strike, and rolling back energy and climate laws.
On Sunday, he again promised an executive order to delay it Ban against TikTok.
There are two opportunities during his busy daily schedule to make good on these promises. While at the Capitol, you go to the president's signing room, outside the Senate chamber, for a signing ceremony that may include executive orders or proclamations. Later, he will have the opportunity during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office.
He is also likely to outline policy during his first speech.
How tight is the event's security?
Security remains tight at the presidential inauguration, but it will be tighter than ever because of the “elevated threat”, according to the Secret Service. There were two attempts on Trump's life during the election campaign last year, including a gunshot wound to his ear.
About 25,000 law enforcement officers and military personnel will protect the event, including the Secret Service, the Metropolitan Police Department and the National Guard.
More than 30 miles of anti-scale fencing went up, more than any previous national security incident. Law enforcement agencies will also patrol the air with drones.
Officials said there had been no specific threats at the launch but US Capitol Police warned that a “lone actor” was the biggest risk during the event.
Who will be performing at the event?
Country music star Carrie Underwood, who rose to fame after competing on American Idol, will headline the launch. He will perform “America the Beautiful” between Vance and Trump's oaths of office. Country singer Lee Greenwood will also perform, and the swearing-in ceremony will end with the singing of the US national anthem by opera singer Christopher Macchio.
Later in the evening, rapper Nelly, country band Rascal Flatts and disco group The Village People will be among the performers at the opening balls. Trump performed the final songs “YMCA” and “Macho Man” on the campaign trail.
The high-profile lineup is a stark contrast to Trump's first inauguration, when his team tried to attract stars. In a sign of America's deep political divide, there has been a backlash against Underwood and the Villagers. The disco group said on Facebook “we know this will not please some of you to hear, however, we believe that music should be played without looking at politics”.