Trump’s Inauguration: Date and How to Watch

Inauguration Day Approaches: President-Elect Trump Set to Take Office

As Inauguration Day draws near, the nation is preparing for a historic transition of power. President Biden is poised to formally hand over the presidency to President-elect Donald J. Trump on Monday in a ceremony held at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. This significant event marks the commencement of Trump’s administration following his victory in the recent election.

The day will begin with a series of ceremonial activities, which have been adjusted to take place indoors due to inclement cold weather. After these ceremonies, President Trump is anticipated to sign a flurry of executive orders that will outline his administration’s priorities. The festivities will culminate in a series of inaugural balls, celebrating the new administration.

News organizations, including The New York Times, will provide extensive live coverage throughout the day. More than two dozen reporters and visual journalists will be stationed on-site to report on the inauguration, including tracking Trump’s anticipated executive orders and gathering reactions from across the country.

Swearing-In Ceremony Timing and Location

The main event, Trump’s swearing-in ceremony, is scheduled to begin promptly at 12 p.m. Eastern Time, in accordance with the 20th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. However, the day’s activities will commence earlier, with the Trump family planning to attend morning services at St. John’s Church, a tradition upheld by incoming presidents in the past.

Due to severe cold temperatures expected on Inauguration Day, the swearing-in will occur inside the Capitol Rotunda. This marks a significant change; it is the first time since Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985 that the ceremony will take place indoors, a decision similarly influenced by harsh weather conditions.

In light of these changes, Trump has also effectively canceled the traditional inaugural parade, suggesting that attendees will instead be encouraged to watch the inaugural proceedings from the nearby Capital One Arena. President Trump has indicated that he will join the guests there following the ceremony.

Where to Watch and Stream

The Times will stream the swearing-in ceremony as well as Trump’s inaugural address live on their website and through their app. They will also provide real-time analysis and an annotated transcript of the events. Additionally, viewers will have numerous options to watch the inauguration across various news platforms.

C-SPAN.org will also offer live coverage of the inauguration on its YouTube page. Major digital news outlets, including ABC News Live, NBC News Now, and CBS News 24/7, will broadcast the event without requiring a password. Multiple streaming platforms will also cover traditional television channels, allowing viewers to watch through services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, although these typically require a subscription.

Television Coverage

Every major cable news network and broadcast channel will be preparing for round-the-clock coverage of the inauguration. The cable networks plan to begin their pre-inauguration coverage early in the morning; for instance, CNN is set to commence live programming at 7 a.m. Eastern time, while Fox News begins its coverage even earlier, with "Fox & Friends" airing at 6 a.m.

The broadcast networks will join the fray with special reports commencing at 9 a.m., as ABC News and CBS News both initiate their coverage. NBC’s Lester Holt and Savannah Guthrie will lead their network’s coverage starting at 10 a.m. The broadcast networks will maintain coverage throughout the day, planning to remain on air until 4 or 5 p.m., contingent on developments and news-related events.

Following the inauguration, President Trump is expected to move to the Oval Office to start signing executive orders immediately. Key issues on his agenda include significant policies relating to immigration and economic strategies. The Times will provide ongoing updates and analysis as these executive orders are unveiled.

Evening Celebrations

As the day transitions into night, coverage of inaugural celebrations will continue. Fox News will feature its prime-time anchors reporting live from the inaugural balls, with shows like Jesse Watters’ airing from the Commander in Chief Ball at 8 p.m. Eastern time and Sean Hannity broadcasting from the Liberty Inaugural Ball thereafter.

CNN will also provide rolling coverage of the festivities, while broadcast networks will briefly resume their regular programming before offering special hour-long inauguration specials at 10 p.m.

In conclusion, Inauguration Day promises to be a momentous occasion in American history, marking not only the transition of power but also the beginning of President Trump’s new term. Coverage of the events surrounding the inauguration will be readily accessible across multiple platforms, ensuring that citizens can partake in this significant democratic tradition.

For those interested in learning more about public sentiment regarding Trump’s return to the presidency, there are resources available discussing Americans’ thoughts and concerns related to his policies and potential actions in the coming days.