What happens on Trump’s inauguration day? Date, guest list and performers
Get ready for the day that crowns the extraordinary comeback of America’s 47th president ... the lowdown on when it is, who’s on the guest list and who will perform the national anthem.
Donald Trump will be sworn in for a second term as president on January 20 (Jan 21, AEDT) in Washington, crowning an extraordinary political comeback after his election victory over Kamala Harris in November.
With his return to the White House as the 47th president, Trump, 78, becomes only the second commander-in-chief to serve non-consecutive terms, after Grover Cleveland in the late 19th century.
Unlike the inauguration of Joe Biden four years ago, held during the Covid pandemic and in the shadow of the riot at the US Capitol by Trump supporters days earlier, the event should return to its full pageantry this year.
Trump has complained, however, that flags at the Capitol and surrounding federal buildings will be flying at half-mast as he returns to power, in observance of the 30-day mourning period for Jimmy Carter, the former president who died on December 29.
The inauguration on January 20 (January 21, AEDT) coincides with Martin Luther King Jr Day this year, making it a national holiday for the first time since 1997.
Following tradition, the swearing-in ceremony will begin at noon precisely on the western steps of the US Capitol, facing down the National Mall towards the Washington Monument and the White House.
Trump’s choice for vice-president, JD Vance, will take the oath of office first, raising his right hand and laying his left on a bible, overseen by the chief justice.
Trump himself will then take the oath, which has remained unchanged since George Washington was sworn in as the first president in 1789: “I do solemnly swear 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.”
The new president then delivers his inaugural address, setting out his vision for America. He has pledged to sign a string of executive orders on his first day in office, including a crackdown on illegal immigration and the mass deportation of millions of undocumented migrants from the US.
Trump and Vance will have lunch at the Capitol and inspect a parade of US troops from the eastern steps, while Joe and Jill Biden make their formal departure from the White House by helicopter. Biden’s replacement then appears at a series of inaugural balls into the evening, before moving into the White House.
Who will attend Trump’s inauguration?
Biden, 82, will attend his successor’s inauguration, in contrast with Trump, who missed the ceremony four years ago as he continued to claim without evidence that the 2020 election was rigged against him.
Biden said this week that he was “determined to do everything I can to respect the peaceful transfer of power and restore the traditions we have long respected in America”.
It is customary for all living former presidents to attend the inauguration. George W Bush and Bill Clinton have yet to confirm that they will be there.
Barack Obama confirmed he would attend the ceremony without his wife and former first lady Michelle Obama.
A statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama simply said: “Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th inaugural ceremonies. Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration.”
Breaking with protocol, Trump has also invited several world leaders, including President Xi of China. At least one, President Milei of Argentina, has said he will attend. Trump will be surrounded by his family and members of Congress, while loyalists like Elon Musk are expected to be present.
Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has said he will go, despite a recent public spat with Musk over their differing views towards the far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Who will perform at the inauguration ceremony?
The country singer Carrie Underwood will perform on the steps of the Capitol as Trump is sworn in, singing America the Beautiful. Underwood, 41, whose career was launched by winning American Idol in 2005, has won eight Grammy Awards and sold more than 85 million albums.
She said she was “humbled to answer the call” and urged all Americans to “come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future”.
As well as Underwood, the Village People will perform at inauguration celebrations. The band’s disco hits YMCA and Macho Man became unlikely anthems on Trump’s campaign trail and spawned a signature dance by the president-elect.
Victor Willis, the Village People’s frontman, confirmed on social media that they would appear at several parties in Washington.
Willis, 73, admitted that the group’s preferred candidate in the US election lost, but said: “Music is to be performed without regard to politics.”
What security will be in place?
Trump will take the oath of office amid heightened security after two assassination attempts against him last year and the New Orleans terrorist attack on New Year’s Day. The inauguration caps a hectic fortnight of events in Washington that will test security arrangements, spearheaded by the Secret Service and FBI.
The night before the inauguration, on January 19, Trump is scheduled to hold a campaign-style rally at the capital’s basketball stadium.
Planning for the fortnight has been further complicated by the weather, as the biggest winter storm for a decade hit Washington in the first week of January.
“This has never happened before,” Matt McCool, the Secret Service special agent in charge of the Washington field office, told AP of the packed schedule. “But we’re flexible and adaptable … We’re going to be prepared.”
The District of Columbia National Guard will deploy 8000 troops around the security perimeter. Thousands more federal agents and police will protect the event.
The Times
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