Donald Trump, the 47th president of the US, is slated to take charge on the upcoming Monday, January 20. His presidential oath recital, partnered with Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, is to occur at the U.S.A Capitol in Washington, D.C., sharp at 12 pm ET. Before Trump, JD Vance, the Vice President-elect, is scheduled to be sworn in. The monumental event of the inauguration is bound to be extensively covered by various television networks.
The process of Congress certifying Trump’s Electoral College victory is forecasted to occur on January 6. A considerably smoother and uneventful process is expected on this day, in contrast to the chaotic disturbances caused four years back in 2021. Back then, Trump’s impassioned supporters engineered an abrupt interruption by storming the U.S. Capitol building. Their intention seemingly rooted in overturning Joe Biden’s victory in the elections, who was a Democrat, and halting the count. During the incident, Trump put forth baseless claims of the election being stolen from him via rampant voter fraud.
Federal laws demand that sealed certificates, packed with each state’s electoral votes, are opened by the Congress on January 6. The components of the official count, the votes, are meticulously transported in specially designed mahogany boxes just for this purpose. The vote results are then read aloud and an official vote count is conducted, attended by bipartisan representatives from both chambers of Congress.
The surprisingly defeated Kamala Harris, once a potent Democratic Vice President contender, who suffered a massive loss to Trump in the recent presidential elections, assumes the role of president of the Senate. As presider of the session, Harris is responsible for declaring the victor. Additionally, this joint session offers the final official opportunity to raise objections, with the exception of any unresolved court challenges.
The chaotic riot and allegations of Trump causing disruption in the certification process forced Congress to impose stricter rules for certification. As per the revised Electoral Count Act passed in 2022, the vice president’s role has a specific definition. This came especially after Trump’s unwarranted pressure on his then vice president, Mike Pence, to dissent to his defeat, which was evidently out of Pence’s ceremonial duties.
Pence, withstanding Trump’s coercion, went on to confirm his own defeat. The revamped law went on to establish that the vice president does not wield the power to resolve the election’s result on January 6. Prior to his inauguration, Trump aims to host a significant victory rally in commemoration of his supporters in Washington, D.C.
After a succinct meeting, Trump and Biden, together, will make their way to the Capitol for the inauguration ceremonies. This will be followed by the swearing-in of Trump and Vance and Trump’s inaugural address. Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden are then slated for an honorary departure.
Trump’s first official actions as President are to be taken in the President’s Room situated just adjacent to the Senate chamber in the U.S Capitol. Trump will convene with aides and Congress members to sign nominations, along with memorandums, proclamations or executive orders.
Trump’s inauguration will exhibit a display of flags lowered to half-staff. This arrangement is a carried-over from Biden’s previous order which had U.S flags flying half-staff for a period of 30 days in honor of the late President Jimmy Carter. Thus, the flags will remain lowered when Trump takes the oath.
Perhaps of notable mention is Trump’s victory over Harris in the November 2024 elections. His conquest marks him joining the league of Grover Cleveland as the only other president who’s secured two non-consecutive terms. Cleveland served as the 22nd and 24th president, from 1885 to 1889 and 1893 to 1897.
Trump’s Inauguration Day coincides with the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a significant federal holiday since 1986. This makes Trump the second president to be inaugurated on this special day, the first being Bill Clinton during his second inauguration in 1997.
The theme for the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies was unveiled by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC). The theme, titled ‘Our Enduring Democracy: A Constitutional Promise’ is aimed at honoring the Founders’ commitment to preserving our democratic system of governance for future generations of Americans.
Following Trump’s first official actions, he will join an Inaugural Luncheon. Afterward, Trump and Vance will review military troops at the East Front steps of the Capitol. This review marks the start of a procession leading ceremonial military regiments and citizen groups down Pennsylvania Avenue, all the way to the White House. The day concludes with a series of inaugural balls and celebrations.