General view of the West Front of the U.S. Capitol building. Image: ABC News.
(The Post News)– The United States President-elect Donald Trump officially began his inauguration festivities on Saturday, January 18, 2025, with an event at his Virginia golf club. The celebrations will span four days, culminating in the formal swearing-in ceremony on Monday, January 20, 2025. The guest list for this historic event includes tech billionaires, prominent political figures, and three former U.S. presidents.
The core of the inauguration ceremony will be the presidential oath of office, as outlined in Article II, Section I of the U.S. Constitution. The oath states: “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.”
The act of taking the oath marks the official beginning of a president’s four-year term. Traditionally, the president-elect places their hand on a Bible, though alternative books of personal or political significance have occasionally been used. Following the oath, the new president typically addresses the gathered crowd, which includes supporters, government officials, and foreign dignitaries.
Reports surrounding the inauguration have revealed a mix of high-profile guests and notable absences. While tech billionaires are reportedly attending, former First Lady Michelle Obama will be absent. This year’s inauguration is positioned as a moment of bipartisan acknowledgement of Trump’s return to power.
The official swearing-in ceremony is set for 12 p.m. EST on January 20, 2025. Traditionally held outdoors in front of the Capitol building, Trump has opted to move the event inside the Capitol Rotunda, citing forecasts of extreme cold. This decision marks a significant departure from the standard public setting that symbolises America’s democratic traditions.
The upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States marks a pivotal moment in American politics, reflecting his renewed influence and the acceptance of his recent election victory. The event, set for Monday, January 20, 2025, comes after years of political upheaval stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, the contested 2020 election results, and the January 6 Capitol riots. Those earlier events had cast a shadow over the 2021 inauguration of President Joe Biden, which Trump notably did not attend.
One notable development is the attendance of several international politicians and envoys at the inauguration. Historically, foreign leaders have not attended U.S. presidential inaugurations, with records indicating the last such occurrence was in 1874. Foreign ambassadors and their spouses typically represent their governments at these events. Scholars and political analysts note that the presence of foreign leaders would contradict tradition, as U.S. inaugurations are not known for the pomp and ceremony often associated with state visits to Washington, D.C.
The swearing-in ceremony will take place at 12 p.m. EST, with Trump assuming office outdoors at the Capitol. The event is expected to draw a significant crowd, as it represents a defining moment in America’s political narrative, uniting Trump’s supporters and marking a fresh chapter in his presidency.
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