President Trump’s second inauguration is scheduled for today. This event marks the formal transfer of power back to the Trump administration. The 20th Amendment mandates the presidential term ends at noon on January 20th, with the president-elect sworn in shortly after.
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, led by Senator Amy Klobuchar, has planned the day’s events. These include the procession to the Capitol, the vice president’s swearing-in, the president’s swearing-in, the inaugural address, the departure of the outgoing president and vice president, a signing ceremony, the inaugural luncheon, a troop review, and the presidential parade, relocated to Capital One Arena due to cold weather. The theme is “Our Enduring Democracy: A Constitutional Promise.”
The ceremony is expected to begin around 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, with Trump’s swearing-in at approximately noon. Initially planned for the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, the ceremony has been moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda due to predicted cold temperatures.
The exact duration is unknown, but previous inaugurations have lasted approximately one hour.
The Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee released the schedule. The ceremony will open with musical performances by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Combined Choirs and “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band. Following an invocation by Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Reverend Franklin Graham, opera singer Christopher Macchio will perform “Oh, America!”
Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh will administer the vice presidential oath to JD Vance. Carrie Underwood, accompanied by the Armed Forces Chorus and the U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club, will perform “America the Beautiful.”
Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the presidential oath to Donald Trump. The Naval Academy Glee Club will perform “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” followed by President Trump’s inaugural address.
The ceremony will conclude with a benediction from several religious leaders, including Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, Imam Husham Al-Husainy, Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, and Father Frank Mann. Christopher Macchio will perform the national anthem.