America is just one week away from Inauguration Day, when president-elect Donald Trump officially takes over from President Joe Biden. As befits a quarter-millennium-old tradition, there will be much pomp and ceremony. Here’s what to know.
When is Inauguration Day?
Inauguration Day takes place every four years on Jan. 20, or Jan. 21 if the 20th is a Sunday. This time, it’s Monday, Jan. 20.
What’s the schedule for Inauguration Day?
It’s a busy one, starting with a service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, which was built in 1815 and has long been the site of such inaugural events.
Next, a tea at the White House. This will be followed by the swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, which is expected to begin around noon.
After that is the official farewell to the former president, Joe Biden, and the vice-president, Kamala Harris.
Trump will then head to the President’s Room near the Senate chamber, where it’s tradition to sign nominations.
Following the signing room ceremony, there’s a luncheon hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC). Trump will then kick off the presidential parade, which goes from the Capitol down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, with a review of the troops.
After the parade and an Oval Office signing ceremony, Trump will attend three inaugural balls — the Commander-in-Chief Ball, the Liberty Inaugural Ball and the Starlight Ball. He is expected to deliver remarks at all three, according to a press release.
What’s the best way to watch Trump’s inauguration?
The White House YouTube channel will livestream the event, which you can watch on the day at nationalpost.com.
Does Inauguration Day always fall on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
No. This year the two dates match up, as MLK Jr. Day is commemorated on the third Monday in January. The last time that happened was in 2013 for Barack Obama’s second inauguration. The only other time was in 1997 for Bill Clinton’s second term as U.S. president. MLK Jr. Day became a holiday in 1986.
Coincidentally, Inauguration Day this year also falls on “Blue Monday,” a term coined in 2005 by U.K. travel company Sky Travel as being the most depressing day of the year.
What is the presidential oath of office?
It’s short, simple, administered by the chief justice of the Supreme Court (John Roberts since 2005) and repeated by the president-elect. In accordance with Article II, Section I of the U.S. Constitution, it reads: “I (name) do solemnly swear (or affirm) 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. So help me God.”
Who will attend Trump’s inauguration?
The Presidential Inaugural Platform will hold nearly 1,400 inaugural guests, including members of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, Supreme Court justices, former presidents, and Trump and his vice president, J.D. Vance, and their families.
Foreign guests and dignitaries are not generally part of the proceedings, but according to The Times of India, Trump’s second inauguration may feature a number of right-wing world leaders, including Italy’s Georgia Meloni, Argentina’s Javier Mellei and Hungary’s Victor Orban. The news site says Trump has also invited Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil who falsely claimed electoral fraud in his country.
Trump has also invited Xi Jinping to the event, reports The Associated Press. But the Chinese leader is unlikely to attend.
Who will be performing at Trump’s inauguration?
According to The Associated Press, country music star Carrie Underwood will perform America the Beautiful at the inauguration, and other performers will include two of the president-elect’s musical favourites, country singer Lee Greenwood and opera singer Christopher Macchio.
Trump’s last inauguration featured the less-than-famous Toby Keith, 3 Doors Down and The Piano Guys, while several very famous people (Elton John, The Beach Boys, Charlotte Church, Céline Dion etc.) have said they were asked and declined.
What’s the theme of Trump’s inauguration?
According to the JCCIC website, the theme of the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies is “Our Enduring Democracy: A Constitutional Promise,” recognizing “the Founders’ commitment to future generations of Americans to preserve the continuity and stability of our democratic system of government.”
Are protests expected?
Yes. There will be a People’s March on Jan. 18, organized by a coalition of feminist organizations that include Abortion Action Now, SisterSong, Planned Parenthood, National Women’s Law Center and Women’s March. The National Action Network, under its president and founder, the Rev. Al Sharpton, will host a rally on MLK Jr. Day / Inauguration Day. And some D.C. residents are reportedly taking down their Airbnb listings for the weekend in protest of Trump.
Didn’t Trump skip Biden’s Inauguration Day?
He did, marking the first time an incumbent skipped his successor’s inauguration since Andrew Johnson refused to attend Ulysses S. Grant’s first inauguration in 1869. Or as the JCCIC puts it somewhat delicately: “This tradition has endured, with few exceptions, since 1837, when Martin Van Buren and Andrew Jackson rode together in a carriage made from wood taken from the U.S.S. Constitution.”
When will Trump start work as president?
Immediately. Trump has said he plans to sign a barrage of executive orders on “day one” of the new administration, and that’s Monday. While there’s no sign of him going through with the idea of having a “tiny desk” installed at the Capitol on Inauguration Day, as he mused during his presidential campaign, he will on his return to the White House immediately put his name to more than 100 items of paperwork, on topics that include border security, immigration (and deportation) and the economy. And, yes, that could include his threatened 25 per cent tariff on Canadian imports.
Are there any events outside of Inauguration Day?
Yes. On Saturday, Jan. 18, a president’s reception and fireworks display will take place at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia. There will also be a cabinet reception and vice-president’s dinner.
Sunday events will include a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery and, with a slightly different vibe, Trump’s MAGA “Victory Rally” at Capital One Arena in Washington. There will also be a candlelight dinner.
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