DONALD Trump will take the oath of office as the 47th president of the United States on January 20, 2025.
Here is the full schedule of the day’s events as Americans gather in Washington D.C. to mark Trump’s return to the White House.
The theme of this inauguration is “Our Enduring Democracy: A Constitutional Promise.”
Security screening gates are set to open around 5 am on the day of the inauguration, according to Washington’s tourism department.
The day will begin with Trump participating in an inaugural worship service at St John’s Church, Lafayette Square led by Rev. Robert W. Fisher.
In a message to members of St John’s, Fisher said, “While Episcopal in nature, the service will be intentionally accessible and open, with prayers aimed at speaking to all.
“It will be explicitly nonpartisan.”
Trump and his wife, Melania, will then be hosted for tea at the White House by outgoing President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
This is one of “the most enduring transfer-of-power rituals” according to Melania biographer Kate Bennett.
The two parties will meet on the steps of the North Portico before going inside to exchange pleasantries.
At 9:30 am, live music and opening remarks will begin on the West Lawn of the Capitol building where the main ceremony takes place.
After tea, there is the procession to the Capitol during which the president-elect and the outgoing president traditionally travel together.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Vice President-elect JD Vance and their spouses will follow along with family members, cabinet members, and individuals from the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
Country singer Carrie Underwood will perform America the Beautiful at the Capitol ahead of the swearing-in ceremony with opera singer Christopher Macchio singing the national anthem.
Swearing-in Ceremony
The swearing-in ceremonies will then take place with Vance being sworn in first followed by Trump, who will become the 47th President of the United States.
Vance will recite the following oath of office on the Inaugural platform on the West Front of the Capitol:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”
Trump’s swearing-in ceremony will begin around noon when the chief justice of the Supreme Court will deliver the oath to Trump, who will say:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) 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.”
Trump will then give his inaugural address where he will outline his hopes for the nation.
This event will be attended by a number of world leaders, former presidents, and their spouses.
Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton have confirmed their attendance.
Former First Lady Laura Bush and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will also be at the event but Michelle Obama‘s office has confirmed that she will not attend.
There will then be the outgoing presidential departure where Biden and the former first lady will depart the Capitol by helicopter after being escorted by the new president and First Lady.
Signing Ceremony
A signing ceremony will then take place, which will be Trump’s first official act in office.
Trump, his aides, and members of Congress will meet in the President’s Room where they will sign nominations and possibly memorandums, proclamations, or executive orders.
There will then be an inaugural luncheon in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall with Trump, Melania, their guests, and members of The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
The feast usually showcases dishes from the president and vice president’s home states which are Ohio and New York.
Parade
Trump and Vance will then arrive on the front steps of the Capitol to give a military review and lead the parade to the White House.
The procession is set to kick off around 3 pm local time.
America’s new leaders will lead the procession – made up of ceremonial military regiments, marching bands, and floats – down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.
The new president and vice-president as well as their spouses and special guests will then gather on the Presidential Reviewing Stand to watch the parade as it passes by.
Inaugural Balls
The president is expected to speak at the Commander-in-Chief ball, the Liberty Inaugural ball, and the Starlight ball.
These will take place on the evening of inauguration day.
They are white-and-black tie events that are invitation-only and the president, first lady, vice president, and second lady or gentleman attend.
The events feature food, drink, and live entertainment as well as addresses by the president.
Multiple balls are held throughout Washington to accommodate the large number of guests that can’t fit in one space.