/

Trump to Take Oath of Office at U.S. Capitol Inauguration Ceremony: Key Details and Attendees

Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th US President in the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Photo: AFP

President-elect Donald Trump is set to be sworn in on Monday, with his inauguration ceremony scheduled to take place inside the U.S. Capitol.

Trump, along with Vice President-elect JD Vance, will participate in the swearing-in ceremonies at 12:00 local time (17:00 GMT), where they will take the oath of office.

The event will be attended by a range of prominent figures, including lawmakers, government officials, and the four living former presidents: Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden, along with Vice President Kamala Harris.

In addition, foreign leaders such as Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and China’s Vice President Han Zheng are expected to be present at the inauguration.

Notable tech industry CEOs, including Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Tesla’s Elon Musk, Apple’s Tim Cook, TikTok’s Shou Chew, and Google’s Sundar Pichai, are also anticipated to attend the event.

The inaugural ceremonies are being organized by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, led this year by Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota.

Following the swearing-in, Trump is expected to deliver his inaugural address, marking his first official speech to the nation as president. In addition to the ceremonial events, Trump is set to sign more than 200 executive actions, including legally binding executive orders and other presidential directives, such as proclamations.

Due to a cold weather forecast, the ceremony, originally planned for the National Mall, will be relocated indoors to the Capitol Rotunda, as announced by Trump on Friday.

A pivotal moment in the inauguration will be the recitation of the presidential oath of office, which includes the declaration: “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 inauguration marks the official transition of power, as the executive branch shifts from the Biden administration to the Trump administration.

Donald Trump, a businessman, television personality, and politician, served as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021.

Although he ran for re-election in 2020, he was defeated by Joe Biden. However, Trump emerged victorious in the 2024 presidential election. His win makes him the first president to be elected to nonconsecutive terms since Grover Cleveland, who served as the 22nd and 24th president of the United States.

2025-01-20 at 12:16

Inauguration Day: Fascinating Historical Facts and Firsts

Mohammed Jangadost
Supporters of US President-elect Donald Trump line up on the National Mall near the US Capitol for a MAGA victory rally at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, on January 19, 2025, one day ahead of Trump’s inauguration. Photo: AFP / Andrew Caballero-Reynolds

As the United States prepares for its next presidential inauguration, here are some intriguing facts and milestones from the event’s rich history:

The Date Shift: Originally held on March 4, Inauguration Day was moved to January 20 following the ratification of the Twentieth Amendment in 1933. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first to be inaugurated on this date in 1937 during his second term.

The First Inauguration: George Washington’s inauguration, initially scheduled for March 1789, was delayed to April 30 due to logistical issues, including Congress’s inability to count electoral votes on time. The delay allowed Washington to travel from Virginia to New York City, then the nation’s capital.

Multiple Capitals: Washington remains the only president inaugurated in two different capitals—Federal Hall in New York City in 1789 and Congress Hall in Philadelphia in 1793.

Record Speeches: Washington also holds the record for the shortest inaugural address, with just 135 words in 1793. In contrast, William Henry Harrison delivered the longest, an 8,445-word speech lasting nearly two hours in 1841. Tragically, Harrison died of pneumonia just 32 days later, marking the shortest presidency in history.

A Step Toward Equality: During Abraham Lincoln’s second inauguration in 1865, black men and women marched in the inaugural parade for the first time, symbolizing a turning point in American history.

Historic Attendance: Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration drew the largest crowd in Washington, D.C. history, with 1.8 million attendees witnessing his swearing-in as the first African American president.

Trailblazing Women: Judge Sarah Hughes became the first woman to administer the presidential oath of office, swearing in Lyndon B. Johnson aboard Air Force One after John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963.

Presidential Innovations:

William H. Taft’s 1909 inauguration marked the first time a first lady joined the president in a motorcade from the Capitol to the White House.
Warren G. Harding became the first president to use a car for his inauguration in 1921.

Unique Swearings-In:

Franklin D. Roosevelt remains the only president elected and inaugurated four times (1933–1945), before term limits were introduced.

Barack Obama, sworn in four times for different reasons, retook the oath in private in 2009 due to an error in its delivery and later during a public ceremony.

These moments reflect the evolution and enduring traditions of one of America’s most symbolic events, capturing the nation’s history and progress through the lens of its leaders.

2025-01-20 at 12:29

Pope Francis Urges Trump to Foster a Society Free of Hatred and Promote Global Peace

Mohammed Jangadost
Pope FraPope Francis holds his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. Photo: AP / Andrew Medichini

Pope Francis extended a message of hope and unity to incoming U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, urging him to lead a society where “there is no room for hatred, discrimination, or exclusion” and to prioritize “peace and reconciliation among peoples.”

In his message marking Trump’s inauguration, the 88-year-old pontiff offered his “cordial greetings and the assurance of my prayers that Almighty God will grant you wisdom, strength, and protection.” He emphasized his hope that the Trump administration would help the American people “prosper and strive for a more just society.”

Acknowledging global challenges, Francis prayed for divine guidance in Trump’s efforts to address the “scourge of war” and promote international peace.

The Pope has previously voiced strong criticism of Trump’s immigration policies. In a Sunday interview with Italian TV channel Nove, Francis condemned plans for large-scale deportations of undocumented migrants, warning it would be “a calamity” that disproportionately impacts the poor.

Francis’s critique of Trump’s approach to immigration is longstanding. During the 2016 presidential campaign, he remarked, “Anyone, whoever he is, who only wants to build walls and not bridges is not a Christian.” The pontiff has consistently advocated for compassionate and inclusive policies, labeling harsh anti-migrant attitudes as “madness” and urging leaders to prioritize human dignity over division.

Trump’s proposed deportation initiative, touted as “the largest deportation operation in American history,” is expected to face legal challenges and resistance from some nations unwilling to accept deportees.

As Trump assumes the presidency, Pope Francis’s message underscores the moral responsibility of leadership and the importance of fostering unity and understanding in an increasingly polarized world.

2025-01-20 at 13:44

Melania Trump Launches Cryptocurrency Ahead of Inauguration, Impacting Donald Trump’s Coin Value

Daban Mohammed
Melania Trump. Photo: AP

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, both he and his wife Melania have introduced their own cryptocurrencies, with Melania launching hers just before his inauguration as U.S. president.

However, the launch of Melania’s cryptocurrency $MELANIA on Sunday has led to a drop in the value of her husband’s coin, $TRUMP, which had been introduced just two days earlier.

In her social media post on X, Melania Trump wrote, “The Official Melania Meme is live! You can buy $MELANIA now,” promoting her new cryptocurrency.

“My NEW Official Trump Meme is HERE!” Donald Trump posted on X Friday. “It’s time to celebrate everything we stand for: WINNING! Join my very special Trump Community. GET YOUR $TRUMP NOW. Have Fun!” The coin surged in value over the weekend, reaching over $70 by Sunday afternoon, according to CoinGecko.

Concerns have arisen about the distribution of the coin, as 80% of its supply is controlled by Trump Organization affiliates, including Fight Fight Fight and CIC Digital, attracting criticism from industry experts, as reported by the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg.

As President Trump prepares for his inauguration, which is scheduled for noon Eastern time, he has expressed plans to transform the U.S. into the crypto capital of the world.

He has also proposed establishing a national Bitcoin reserve, a move that has sparked enthusiasm among crypto investors.

2025-01-20 at 14:03

WSJ Reveals Excerpts from Trump’s Inauguration Speech: "A Wave of Change Will Sweep the Country"

Mohammed Jangadost
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump arrives for services at St. John’s Church as part of Inauguration ceremonies on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo: GETTY IMAGES / Scott Olson via AFP

In the speech, Trump will declare:

“I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the beginning of an exciting new era of success for our country. A wave of change is sweeping the country. My message to Americans today is that it is time for us to work again with the courage, strength, and vitality of the greatest civilization in history.”

On Sunday, Trump addressed thousands of supporters during a “victory celebration” in Washington, vowing to act with “unprecedented speed and force” upon taking office on Monday.

Sources indicate that Trump is set to issue a series of executive orders immediately after being sworn in, addressing key issues such as energy and immigration. Reports suggest that over 100 directives and orders could be issued in a bold “shock and awe” strategy aimed at initiating rapid change.

2025-01-20 at 14:49

Putin congratulates Trump ahead of inauguration, says Open to Talks on Ukraine Conflict

Mohammed Jangadost
President-elect Donald Trump, Russia’s President. Vladimir Putin. Photo: AFP / Brendan Smialowski

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed willingness on Monday to engage in dialogue with the incoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

“We are also open to dialogue with the new US administration on the Ukrainian conflict,” Putin stated in televised remarks, as he extended congratulations to Trump ahead of his inauguration.

The Russian leader emphasized that any resolution to the conflict should aim to secure “lasting peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all people.”

Putin’s comments signal potential shifts in US-Russia relations as the Trump administration prepares to take office, with Ukraine remaining a key point of international focus.

2025-01-20 at 16:24

Trump and Biden Head to US Capitol Together

Mohammed Jangadost
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden greet President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump in Washington, DC. Photo: AFP / Jim Watson

US President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump departed the White House together on Monday, heading to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony.

The two shared a vehicle en route to the event, where Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States.

2025-01-20 at 16:28

Trump Arrives at US Capitol for Inauguration

Mohammed Jangadost

Donald Trump arrived at the US Capitol where he will be sworn in as the 47th president on Monday.

“Good morning,” Trump said as he entered the Capitol accompanied by President Joe Biden. Asked how they felt, Biden responded, “Well.”

2025-01-20 at 17:20

King Charles Sends Personal Congratulations to Trump on Inauguration, Buckingham Palace Says

Daban Mohammed
Donald Trump, President of the United States, Charles III, King of the United Kingdom. Photo: AFP

King Charles has extended “personal congratulations” to Donald Trump on his inauguration.

Charles’s private written message was delivered to mark Trump’s swearing-in, and he commended the special relationship between the UK and the US, according to Buckingham Palace.

 Trump recently met the Prince of Wales during his visit to France for the ceremonial reopening of Notre-Dame.