Inauguration Day 2025: Sights and Sounds from Washington D.C.
WASHINGTON D.C. (FOX 2) - After a long election cycle and a relatively quiet transition period, inauguration day has finally arrived.
Donald Trump is set to be sworn in as the 47th president of the U.S. In addition to placing his hand over the bible and taking the oath, Trump will deliver a speech before entering the White House for his first official act as president.
FOX 2's Roop Raj will be live outside the ceremony as well as provide live coverage of the entire day. There is also live coverage of the inauguration from within the rotunda. You can find that here.
Outside the Rotunda
Trump fans from Michigan:
Despite no outdoor ceremony, some supporters of Donald Trump still braved the outdoors ahead of the president-elect's swearing in.
That included one family from Livonia, who made the trip together.
"I tell you, I support Donald Trump 100%. I've seen him at different events over the years and he's a gentleman," said Larry Sr.
Standing next to him was his son, who said he wished he had a say in the matter of moving the ceremony, but they adapted and he even bought a scarf. "We're just having fun out here," he said, his breath visible because of the low temperatures.
The temperatures aren't quite as low as in Michigan, hovering at 27 degrees under partly cloudy skies in D.C.
Some of the merchandise that was available for purchase in Washington D.C. during the inauguration. (Photo courtesy of Roop Raj)
Joe Biden leaves:
At officially 1:15 p.m., outgoing president Joe Biden took off on Marine One, the executive office's helicopter, as is tradition.
Ahead of Inauguration:
The backstory:
Due to freezing temperatures, officials moved the inauguration ceremony that was set to take place outside in front of the U.S. Capitol building. Donald Trump's swearing-in will take place inside The Rotunda.
All that remains is the fencing that was meant to be a barrier for the ceremony, which remains wrapped around the National Mall.
Instead of the hundreds of thousands that had traveled to the city to watch the president take the oath of office, several hundred will gather inside the dome. Most will be public officials and those personally invited by the president-elect.
For the 220,000 people who had gotten tickets to attend the ceremony, they are souvenirs.
As for the inauguration parade, it also been moved inside Capital One Arena. It has a capacity of about 20,000 people.
Bipartisan Affair:
Despite the acrimony of hovered over the past race for the U.S. White House, both Republicans and Democrats will be in attendance for the swearing in of Trump.
"It is what we do," said Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell.
The longtime Democrat said she would be in attendance, standing alongside Republican Brian Pannebecker, who was sporting a "Trump 2024" hat.
"We're both attending the Michigan bipartisan ball tonight," said Pannebecker.
"And to make clear how bipartisan, Rashida Tlaib is right down there," Dingell added.
Both were outside the airport gate waiting for their flights to D.C. over the weekend.