President-elect Donald Trump has announced that his inauguration ceremony on Monday will move indoors due to the frigid weather forecast in Washington, D.C. Trump will take the oath of office and deliver his speech inside the Capitol Rotunda, making it only the second time in modern history that an inauguration has been moved indoors because of extreme cold.

The Joint Inaugural Committee confirmed that the majority of ticket holders will not be able to attend in person, as outdoor seating areas on the West Front of the Capitol will remain closed. Only a select group of attendees, including congressional members and those with platform tickets, will be permitted to witness the ceremony inside the Capitol. For others, alternative viewing arrangements have been made. Capital One Arena will open to host live coverage of the event and the traditional Presidential Parade, with Trump planning to join the crowd there after the official proceedings.

Trump addressed the change on Truth Social, calling it a necessary adjustment to protect attendees from harsh conditions. He added, “This will be a very beautiful experience for all, and especially for the large TV audience!”

Forecasts predict that Monday’s noon temperature will hover around 18°F, with wind chills dropping the “feels-like” temperature to as low as 5°F. A quick-moving snowstorm may also hit the area on Sunday, further complicating logistics. The last time an inauguration was moved indoors due to weather was in 1985, when President Ronald Reagan’s second swearing-in was relocated, and his parade was canceled.

Security remains a top priority, according to the U.S. Capitol Police and the Secret Service. Although outdoor areas will be closed, law enforcement agencies have emphasized a heightened security presence and revised plans to adapt to the new arrangements. Layers of physical barriers and increased personnel will ensure safety during the ceremony and surrounding events.

Despite the last-minute adjustments, preparations are well underway. Crews were seen building a temporary inauguration stage inside the Capitol Rotunda on Friday. In a memo to House offices, the Sergeant at Arms advised staff to inform constituents that previously issued tickets will now serve as commemorative items, given the reduced capacity.

Trump assured the public that the decision was made with safety in mind. “I don’t want to see people hurt or injured in any way,” he said.