Trump likely to avoid inaugural crowd size controversy with swearing-in moved indoors

The controversy over President-elect Trump’s inaugural crowd size back in 2017 has resurfaced as his swearing-in ceremony is moved indoors due to harsh winter weather. The White House had previously insisted that the media underreported Trump’s numbers during his first inauguration, leading to a heated debate over the actual attendance.

This time around, Trump announced that his inaugural address and other ceremonial speeches would be held in the United States Capitol Rotunda to protect attendees from the severe record lows forecasted for Washington, D.C. on Monday. The decision to move the ceremony indoors was made in light of an Arctic blast sweeping the country, with Trump expressing concern for the safety of law enforcement, first responders, and the hundreds of thousands of supporters expected to attend.

The U.S. Capitol Building is now surrounded by fencing and bollards in preparation for the event, with the Capital One Arena being opened for live viewing of the inauguration and the Presidential Parade. Trump assured supporters that he would join the crowd at the arena after his swearing-in, emphasizing the need for attendees to dress warmly in the cold weather.

The Inaugural Committee confirmed Trump’s decision to move the ceremony indoors, effectively eliminating any chance for a record crowd photo op or disputes over attendance numbers. This move comes after the controversy surrounding Trump’s first inauguration, where former White House press secretary Sean Spicer accused the media of intentionally framing photographs to minimize the support gathered on the National Mall.

President Biden also faced crowd-size limitations during his inauguration in 2021 due to coronavirus restrictions, with the ceremony being sparsely attended and attendees wearing face masks. The last inauguration ceremony to be moved indoors was President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985, due to extreme temperatures.

As Trump prepares for his second inauguration amidst the icy weather conditions, the focus shifts from crowd size controversies to ensuring the safety and well-being of all attendees. The decision to move the ceremony indoors reflects a commitment to prioritizing the health and security of those present, while also acknowledging the challenges posed by the unpredictable winter weather.