President-elect Donald Trump arrived in Washington, D.C., ahead of his second inauguration, marking his return to power. Trump flew on an Air Force plane sent by outgoing President Joe Biden from Florida, accompanied by his wife, Melania, daughter Ivanka, and Jared Kushner.
Arriving at Dulles Airport, Trump proceeded to his Virginia golf club before attending a celebration featuring an Elvis Presley impersonator and fireworks. On Sunday, he will host a rally at Capital One Arena, with post-inauguration events planned for Monday.
Due to record cold, the swearing-in ceremony has been moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda, a first since Ronald Reagan's 1985 inauguration. Trump will deliver an inaugural address emphasizing "unity, strength, and fairness" after being sworn in at noon.
The indoor shift means most of the 220,000 ticketed guests will miss the ceremony, as only a fraction can be accommodated in the Rotunda or the 20,000-seat arena. Visitors like Arthur and Richard Caisse expressed disappointment over limited access but remained optimistic about Trump’s presidency.
Despite logistical challenges, supporters are eager for Trump's return. Debbie Koch, who traveled from Wisconsin, plans to attend Sunday’s rally if possible.
After taking the oath, Trump is expected to sign executive orders focusing on immigration, energy, and other priorities. This marks Trump’s comeback after his first term from 2017-2021. Biden, who defeated Trump in 2020, will attend the inauguration.
Trump left office in 2021 without attending Biden’s ceremony, following the January 6 Capitol riot. As he reclaims the presidency, supporters celebrate the start of his second term.