Inauguration Info

[mystery-ak]

There are few events that you can plan on attending that are guaranteed to go down in history. The President’s swearing-in ceremony is one of them. Come to Washington, DC as the nation swears in the 47th President of the United States on Jan. 20, 2025. Soak up the atmosphere throughout the city and celebrate this special day that’s all about American tradition and celebration.


Where to take in the action


The official proceedings of Inauguration Day commence around noon on Jan. 20 on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, with the vice president-elect J.D. Vance and president-elect Donald Trump taking the Oaths of Office, followed by an inaugural address.
 

Typically, the timing of the day is as follows: Security screening gates open at 6 a.m., followed by music at approximately 9:30 a.m. and opening remarks at 11:30 a.m.


You must have a ticket to attend the swearing-in-ceremony. Tickets are free, but they’re in high demand and must be applied for through your local representative or senator's office. Giant video screens and audio systems will also stream the proceedings to the thousands of spectators on the National Mall.
 

Position yourself along Pennsylvania Avenue to cheer on the presidential procession and inaugural parade as it makes its way from the U.S. Capitol to the White House. A limited number of bleacher seats can be reserved through the 60th Presidential Inaugural Committee, though viewing from the sidewalk is free and unreserved. The parade will begin at approximately 3 p.m. on Inauguration Day.


Toast to the new president at an inaugural ball


Revelers may want to don a tuxedo or evening dress and dance the night away, and they’ll have plenty of options. Inauguration Day brings glitz and glamour to DC with the big names in politics, business and entertainment descending on the city. Many of the top caterers are booked a year in advance and some luxury stores have pop-ups in high-end hotels for any last-minute wardrobe changes.
 

There are official and unofficial balls, the difference being that the newly named president and vice president attend many of the official balls. Members of the public can apply for tickets to these via the 60th Presidential Inaugural Committee. Alternatively, you can buy a ticket for one of the many unofficial balls directly from the host venues or organizations.

Security


Presidential inaugurations are a festive experience, though as with any event of this size, being prepared will make it smoother and more enjoyable. Be sure to check advisories ahead of time. It is cold in January in DC, so dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes. Thousands of portable toilets are brought onto National Mall and placed in front of Metro stations for the event. Bring your own water and snacks or purchase from on-site vendors. There are also numerous restaurants near the National Mall.

If you’re a ticket holder to any event, you will have to pass through security screening. Make sure to bring your photo ID and check the list of prohibited items ahead of time.

Accommodation is at an absolute premium in Washington, DC over Inauguration Day. Room rates rise and many hotels require several nights’ minimum stay; check out current packages and deals.

Driving is not recommended. Parking will be limited and there will be road closures to accommodate the crowds and parade, so visitors are recommended to walk, bike and/or use the Metro.

If you are using a ride sharing app such as Uber or Lyft, there will be a geofence around the security perimeter, meaning the apps will not work inside it. Attendees using the services will have to leave the perimeter to get picked up.

[libertybele]

HBCU band from Mississippi set to march in inauguration parade for Donald Trump

The Mean Green marching band at Mississippi Valley State University has been invited to play in the inauguration parade for President-elect Donald Trump.

Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance will take the oath of office on Monday, January 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C., and the parade will follow.

"This is not just a moment of pride for our university but for the entire state of Mississippi," MVSU President Jerryl Briggs said in a news release. "It is an opportunity to showcase our legacy, celebrate our culture, and invest in the future leaders of our community."

On Dec. 26, the band posted a GoFundMe with a goal of $350,000. "The band is seeking funds to acquire instruments, uniforms, provide scholarships, and get other essential resources for its continued development," the page for the fundraiser read. It also said the school was working to improve band practice facilities for its approximately 250 members.

Since then, the goal was reduced to $70,000. As of around 8:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 30, almost $47,000 has been raised.

Gov. Tate Reeves shared news of the invitation on X, formerly Twitter, and asked people consider supporting the fundraiser.

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies has been planning for the inauguration for months. The theme for the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies is “Our Enduring Democracy: A Constitutional Promise.”

Construction on the platform started Sept. 18 with the First Nail Ceremony, and the JCCIC released an update last week saying the construction is on track.

According to information from MVSU, the Mean Green was the first band from a Historically Black College and University to perform at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. They played it again in 1968, then marched in the the 1969 inauguration parade for President Richard Nixon. The band also played in New Orleans Mardi Gras parades and at NBA games.

"This participation allows students to engage in the peaceful transition of power and gain global exposure while celebrating the university's 75th anniversary," Briggs said. ................

https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2024/12/30/trump-inauguration-parade-will-include-hbcu-band-from-mississippi-valley-state-university/77317273007/

[mountaineer]

I'm concerned about leftist violence, and not just in D.C.
They've been quiet - too quiet.

[libertybele]

I'm concerned about leftist violence, and not just in D.C.
They've been quiet - too quiet.

Agreed.  Almost like the 'calm before the storm'.  I pray that the inauguration and all the festivities go on without interruption or violence of some sort.

[mystery-ak]

 Trump to use Bible given to him by his mother and Lincoln Bible for swearing-in
by Alex Gangitano - 01/17/25 11:14 AM ET

President-elect Trump will use a Bible that was given to him by his mother, as well as the Lincoln Bible, for his swearing-in Monday.

Trump’s late mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, gave him the Bible in 1955 to mark his Sunday Church Primary School graduation at First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, N.Y., according to the Trump Inaugural Committee.

The inside cover of the Bible is signed by church officials and inscribed with Trump’s name and details of when it was gifted to him.

He will also use the Lincoln Bible, which was first used for President Lincoln’s 1861 swearing-in and has been used three times since. Former President Obama used it at his two inaugurations, in 2009 and 2013, and Trump used it in his 2017 inauguration.

Vice President-elect JD Vance will use a Bible that belonged to his maternal great-grandmother for his swearing-in. His grandmother gave it to him in 2003 on the day he left for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in South Carolina, according to the committee.

The Bible that Trump used for his 2017 inauguration, which was placed on top of the Lincoln Bible, was also gifted to him by his mother and is on display at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5091635-trump-inauguration-bible-mother/

[mystery-ak]

Here's everything you need to know:
Schedule

Saturday, Jan. 18

Trump will kick off the weekend with a reception and fireworks at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling.

    There will be a cabinet reception and the vice president's dinner, as well.

Sunday, Jan. 19

The "Make America Great Again Victory Rally" will begin at Capital One Arena at 3pm. The Village People, Kid Rock and Billy Ray Cyrus will perform.

    Trump will also participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and a candlelight dinner.

Monday, Jan. 20

Inaugural ceremonies have been moved indoors due to the cold weather forecast. The swearing-in ceremony, which was slated to begin at noon with Vice President-elect Vance going first and Trump to follow, will be in the Capitol Rotunda.

    Capital One Arena will be open to spectators to watch the ceremony live. The Presidential Parade will follow inside the arena, which has a capacity of 20,000 people.
    Trump added that he would join the crowd there after his swearing-in.

Under the original plans, gates were scheduled to open at 5am ET for security screening, with musical performances starting at about 9:30am, per a news release from the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies organizing the inauguration.

    Country music star Carrie Underwood is set to perform.

more
https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/01/16/trump-inauguration-schedule-road-closures-parties

[mystery-ak]

continued

Tuesday, Jan. 21

The National Prayer Service at Washington National Cathedral will begin at 11am. It's not open to the public but will be streamed online.
Road and Metro closures

🚗 Roads

Most of the roads surrounding George Washington University, the White House, the National Mall and the memorials, Chinatown and the Capitol will be either closed or restricted to local traffic.

    It's a huge list — 126 roads will be closed, and 95 open to local traffic only. There will be 106 roads closed to parking. See all the closures here.

Plus: Several roads around the National Cathedral and the Naval Observatory will be closed or restricted to local traffic Tuesday.

    There will be several highway exit closures on 1-395/I-695 from Sunday through Tuesday, too.

🚇 Metro

The following Metrorail stations will be closed from 8pm Sunday until 5am Tuesday: Archives, Federal Triangle, Mt Vernon Square, McPherson Square, and Smithsonian.

    On Monday only: The Pentagon station will be closed.
    Some of the entrances at the Metro Center, Farragut West, Gallery Place-Chinatown, Union Station and Judiciary Square stations will be closed Sunday and Monday.

Metro will open at 4am Monday and run until midnight. There will be enhanced service between 6am and 8pm.

    Yellow Line service will be extended to Greenbelt.

🚌 Bus

The following Metrobus routes will take detours from Saturday until Tuesday:

    3F, 3Y, 7A, 10A, 11Y, 16A, 16C, 16E, 16Y, 22A, 38B, 31, 32, 33, 36, 42, 43, 52, 54, 59, 64, 70, 74, 79, 80, 96, D4, D6, D8, G8, L2, N6, P6, S2, S9, X2, X8, X9.

Parties

Remember the free-flowing Fireball for Trump's first inauguration? The vibes are more moneyed this time around, with Silicon Valley billionaires, popstars and internet personalities descending on D.C.

    Over the weekend, nearly 20 unofficial balls will be held around the city, hosted by state societies, super PACs and conservative groups.
    Plus a bunch of lavish private parties hosted by the likes of Mark Zuckerberg (location: secret until RSVP).

Here are a few highlights from the party circuit:

Friday, Jan. 17

Bitcoin ballers are kicking off the weekend at the first Crypto Ball. The exclusive, buzzy soiree at the Mellon Auditorium celebrates "the first crypto president," spearheaded by Trump's crypto and AI czar, David Sacks.

    Snoop Dogg may perform, and there's a "VIP reception" hosted by a pro-Trump SuperPAC that's $100K a pop.

Monday, Jan. 20

Three official inaugural balls are happening, and Trump is expected to deliver remarks at each.

    The Commander in Chief Ball for military service members.
    The Liberty Inaugural Ball aimed at Trump supporters (on stage: the Village People).
    The Starlight Ball for high-dollar donors.

The other side: Not every party is a Trump world celebration. Counterprogramming includes:

    The nonpartisan Peace Ball at Arena Stage on Saturday with a roster of activist speakers and a performance by Sweet Honey in the Rock.
    The Anti-Inaugural Ball at Black Cat on Monday is an inclusive night of music and dancing.
    The Bipartisan Inaugural Ball celebrates American agriculture and partially benefits DC Central Kitchen.

How to watch

The inauguration will air live on several major broadcast networks, including ABC, CBS, CNN, CSPAN, Fox News, MSNBC, NBC and PBS.

    The White House is also planning a livestream of the day's events.

Unlike election night, not a lot of bars are advertising watch parties in left-leaning D.C. But Union Pub on Capitol Hill will open early, at 9am, with $9 hot cocktails and the inauguration on all TVs.

This story is developing and may be updated.