“Photo: wikimedia.org The inauguration of the newly elected US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance will take place on January 20. This will be the 60th presidential inauguration in US history. The journalist briefly found out all the details of this action. How the inauguration takes place The inauguration is the only procedure required by the US Constitution for the inauguration of a new president. The inauguration ceremony takes place in […]”, — write: businessua.com.ua
Photo: wikimedia.org
On January 20, the inauguration of the newly elected US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance will take place. This will be the 60th presidential inauguration in US history. Journalist Briefly about found out all the details of this action.
How is the inauguration goingInauguration is the only procedure required by the US Constitution for a new president to take office. The inauguration ceremony takes place at the US Capitol building in Washington, DC. It contains several mandatory elements.
On the morning of January 20, a service is to be held at St. John’s Church across from the White House. After the service, the president-elect first goes to the White House to meet with the current president. It usually starts with a meeting of the new and old presidential spouses at the White House, where they have breakfast together, after which they go together to the Capitol for the inauguration.
There, before the festivities, a small “concert” program takes place, including the US national anthem. Show business stars often perform at the inauguration of the president. Someone sings the national anthem, and someone entertains the audience with songs from their repertoire. Lady Gaga sang at Joe Biden’s inauguration, and Jennifer Lopez performed a separate musical number.
After that, the new US president heads to the Capitol to be sworn in. The vice president does it first and only then the president. The main thing in the whole action is the oath, the text of which is simple but symbolic:
“I, (full name of the President), do solemnly swear to faithfully perform the duties of President of the United States and to the best of my ability to uphold, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Later, the words “And may God help me” began to be added to it.
George Washington established the tradition of taking the oath while holding a hand on the Bible. However, this is not a mandatory condition. Whoever takes office as head of state has the right to choose any other book or document that appears to him to be significant and appropriate for the occasion.
Next, the president delivers his inaugural speech, where he defines the main directions of his future policy. It usually lasts 10-15 minutes.
After taking the oath of office, the new president is taken to the sculptural hall of the Capitol, where the inaugural luncheon takes place. According to tradition, the menu consists of dishes that represent the home states of the president and vice president. By the way, at Trump’s first inauguration, lobster and marbled beef were served for dinner. And Barack Obama’s menu after the inauguration for the second presidential term (2013) included bison meat, lobsters and apple pie.
After dinner, the president and vice president head to the White House, where a military parade takes place. After the inauguration ceremony, the former president and vice president leave the Capitol and are led by the country’s new leaders. An inaugural ball is also held in the evening.
The inaugural show is always a great American show. Photo: wikimedia.org
Who was invited?Usually, foreign leaders are rarely present at the inauguration of US presidents, only ambassadors. But the decision about whom to invite is made by the team of the future president. Trump’s inauguration officials said the US president-elect has compiled a list of foreign leaders he wants to see in Washington on January 20, 2025.
Yes, Donald Trump personally invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to the inauguration ceremony. But he refused to come, and it is expected that the Chinese ambassador to the United States, as well as his wife, will be guests. A few more officials from Beijing may join the Chinese diplomat.
It is also known that the prime minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán, the presidents of Salvador Nayib Bukele and Javier Millay of Argentina, as well as the prime minister of Italy George Maloni are among the invited guests.
“World leaders are lining up to meet with President Trump,” Trump’s press secretary Carolyn Leavitt said.
But the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, was not invited to the inauguration. Trump himself said that since his election victory in November, he has spoken with the leaders of more than 100 countries.
“It’s world leaders calling me and I’m going to meet some of them, it would be impolite to refuse. No, I did not invite Zelensky to the inauguration, but if he wanted to come, I would gladly accept him,” Trump said.
President Donald Trump and Vice President Michael Pence dance with their wives at the 2017 Inauguration Ball. Photo: wikipedia.org
Who can attend the inaugurationUsually, anyone can come to the ball and inauguration. However, tickets cost from 400 to several thousand dollars. In 2021, the inaugural ball and audience were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened security measures after radicalized Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol.
Who pays the costs?The president’s swearing-in ceremony is paid for from the state budget and voluntary donations. And all parades and balls are financed by private sponsors.
The inauguration of the 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump, in 2017 was the most expensive in the history of the United States. Its cost was about 90 million dollars, which is almost like the two inaugurations of his predecessor – Barack Obama.
This time, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos decided to donate $1 million to Trump’s inauguration. Earlier, Mark Zuckerberg’s company Meta announced the decision to send $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund.
Barack and Michelle Obama meet new hosts – Donald and Melania Trump – in the White House. Photo: REUTERS
Safety measuresThis time, the inauguration ceremony is taking place under strict security measures. What they are needed for was shown by the events of January 6, 2021, when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol to prevent approval of the election results. Then 5 people died.
Now fences and checkpoints will be installed, roads and streets will be closed, and parking will be restricted. In the city Washington will additionally attract about 4,000 policemen.
In the US, there is also a separate federal body that protects Congress – the Capitol Police. Its chief, Thomas Munger, said that his department had worked on the problems.
“Four years ago, there were many failures in intelligence, and to say that they have been addressed, improved and corrected would be an understatement,” Munger said. He said the Capitol Police force has been increased to more than 2,200 officers, all of whom have received cellphones and new equipment.
At the end of October, Capitol police officers took part in riot control training on the territory of the Secret Service, which protects the US president, in Maryland. More than 1,000 police officers from 16 states will also be involved.
This is how John Kennedy took the oath on January 20, 1961. Photo: wikipedia.org
Source: kp.ua