In just two weeks, Inauguration Day will mark the highly anticipated presidential transition. President-elect Donald Trump has been diligently preparing for his second term by selecting most of his Cabinet nominees and filling various White House positions. While some picks, like Matt Gaetz who was initially chosen for attorney general but had to withdraw due to past controversies, did not work out, other appointees have made significant commitments since their selection. Trump himself has announced several first-day plans, such as imposing import tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, as well as pardoning Jan. 6 rioters. However, these actions will not take place until after the official ceremonies of Inauguration Day are completed.
The Inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 20, coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year, making it a national holiday for the first time since 1997. The day will commence with the Swearing-In Ceremony at 12 p.m. ET on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.
While specific details about the Inauguration Day events, such as the timetable and the lineup of speakers and performers, have yet to be released by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC), the major highlights of the day have been outlined. This includes the Swearing-In Ceremony, President’s Room Signing Ceremony, Inaugural Luncheon, Review of the Troops, Presidential Parade, Reception, and Inaugural Balls. The traditional inauguration day procession to the Capitol typically involves the outgoing president accompanying the president-elect. The day continues with the swearing in of the vice president followed by the president, including the ceremonial placing of hands on the bible. The inaugural address then follows, allowing the newly elected president to address the nation for the first time.
After the formal proceedings, the former president and first lady traditionally depart, often by helicopter, from the Capitol. The new president then proceeds to the President’s Room in the U.S. Capitol to take official actions by signing nominations, memorandums, proclamations, or executive orders. The day continues with the Inaugural Luncheon at Statuary Hall in the Capitol, including speeches, gift presentations, and toasts to the new administration. Following these events, the new president and vice president review military troops before leading a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.
The festivities on Inauguration Day include a grand procession featuring ceremonial military regiments, citizens’ groups, marching bands, and floats. Following the formal ceremonies, Inaugural Balls are hosted to extend the celebratory mood.
For those interested in viewing the inauguration ceremonies, major news networks such as ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, CSPAN, and Fox News will be broadcasting the events live. Additionally, USA TODAY will be streaming the day’s events on YouTube.
Securing tickets to attend the Presidential Inauguration can be a challenging task due to their limited availability. According to information provided by USA.gov, these tickets are free of charge and must be requested in advance. They grant holders the opportunity to witness the swearing-in of the president and vice president at the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025.
Individuals seeking tickets are advised to reach out to their respective members of Congress, who will be distributing a restricted number of tickets to constituents. The allocation process typically occurs in the weeks leading up to the inauguration, though some representatives may start accepting ticket requests earlier. To locate and contact your representatives, utilize the search feature on USA.gov.
Contributors to this article include Lianna Norman and the USA TODAY NETWORK, along with Fernando Cervantes Jr. and Kinsey Crowley from USA TODAY. This piece was originally published on USA TODAY, providing insights into the key events scheduled for Inauguration Day.
