Guide to Donald Trump’s inauguration as he is sworn in as 47th President of the United States today
Donald Trump will be sworn in to the Oval Office for the second time today, completing one of the most astounding political comebacks in American history.
Trump – the first American president since the 19th century to win a second term after losing the White House – and Vice President-elect JD Vance will both take the oath of office today inside the Rotunda of the US Capitol.
The inauguration will proceed amid heavy security after a campaign highlighted by an increase in political violence that included two assassination attempts against Trump.
The ceremony will feature live music, including a performance from country music star Carrie Underwood, and remarks from several key note speakers.
The festivities will continue with a traditional presidential parade and three inaugural balls in the evening. Amid the pageantry of the day, Trump will begin signing the first of what could be dozens of executive orders.
The country will also say farewell to President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who will welcome Trump and Melania Trump back to the presidential residence that they called home just eight years ago.
Donald Trump will be sworn in to the Oval Office for the second time today, completing one of the most astounding political comebacks in American history. He is pictured with his wife Melania Trump last night
8am: Donald and Melania Trump will attend a non-partisan church service at the historic yellow St. John’s Episcopal Church in downtown DC.
Afterwards, they will head to the White House for a tea and coffee reception with Joe and Jill Biden.
On Trump’s first Inauguration Day in 2017, he and Melania posed for a portrait with outgoing President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama.
The tea reception was also attended by then outgoing Vice President Joe Biden, Jill, and then Vice President-elect Mike Pence, as well as his wife Karen.
Following tea, the sitting president typically escorts the incoming president to the Capitol for the official inauguration ceremony.
10am: Around 10am today, official guests will begin to arrive at the Capitol Rotunda for the swearing-in ceremony.
The swearing-in was moved indoors, instead of taking place on the steps outside the Capitol, for the first time in 40 years due to the extreme cold.
The last time a presidential swearing-in was held indoors was in 1985 when Ronald Reagan held his second inauguration indoors because of an unusually cold weather forecast.
11.30am: Those with tickets to the inauguration will arrive by 11.30am.
12pm: Trump will take the oath of office, likely administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
His official swearing-in will occur after that of JD Vance, who is being sworn in by Chief Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Trump will take the oath of office, likely administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, at 12pm today. He is pictured speaking at a dinner last night that was held as part of his inauguration festivities
American Idol winner Carrie Underwood will sing America the Beautiful and opera star Christopher Macchio will perform the national anthem during the ceremony.
Shortly after being sworn in, Trump will deliver his inaugural address, which he has said in interviews that he intends to be uplifting and unifying – a departure from his first speech in 2017, which detailed a broken country he described as ‘American Carnage‘.
The official farewell and ceremonial departure of Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will take place after the inaugural address.
Trump will then go to the President’s Room near the Senate chamber in the Capitol, where he will sign nominations.
Following the signing ceremony, the president, vice president and their guests will attend a luncheon hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
Trump will then head to the front steps of the Capitol for the review of the military troops.
3pm: The presidential parade will kick off around 3pm.
The traditional parade down Pennsylvania Avenue past the White House will now take place indoors at the Capital One Arena, where Trump held his victory rally on Sunday.
Trump will then return to the White House for the Oval Office signing ceremony.
Tonight: Trump will attend three inaugural balls – the ‘Commander in Chief Ball,’ the ‘Liberty Inaugural Ball’ and the ‘Starlight Ball’. He is expected to speak at all three events.
