You’re probably waking up to a freezing cold D.C. morning—at least virtually—and wondering exactly when the motorcades start moving. If you're asking what time is inauguration today, the short answer is that the main event happens at noon. But honestly, it’s a whole lot more complicated than just one guy saying a 35-word oath. This year, things look a bit different because of the weather. Usually, everyone is shivering on the West Front of the Capitol, but today, they've moved the actual swearing-in inside the Capitol Rotunda.
It’s the first time that’s happened since Reagan's second inauguration in '85. High winds and single-digit wind chills basically made an outdoor ceremony a safety hazard for the thousands of people expected to attend.
The Morning Kickoff
The day doesn't just start at twelve. Before the crowds even get through security, there’s a whole tradition involving church services and tea. Donald Trump is expected to start his morning at St. John’s Episcopal Church. It’s that yellow church right across from Lafayette Park—people call it the "Church of the Presidents."
After that, there's a somewhat awkward but necessary tea at the White House. Joe and Jill Biden are hosting the Trumps for a final meeting before they head to the Hill. Even if the political climate is tense, this is the "peaceful transfer" part that everyone talks about. They’ll likely share a motorcade ride to the Capitol building around 10:30 or 11:00 AM.
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What Time Is Inauguration Today? The Official Timeline
If you only have time to watch the "big moment," you need to be tuned in by 11:30 AM ET. That’s when the musical preludes wrap up and the actual program begins.
- 11:30 AM ET: The ceremony officially starts with a call to order from Senator Amy Klobuchar.
- 11:45 AM ET: JD Vance takes the Vice Presidential oath. This is usually administered by a Supreme Court Justice—this time it’s Brett Kavanaugh.
- 12:00 PM ET: This is the hard deadline. According to the 20th Amendment, the previous term ends exactly at noon. Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath to Donald Trump right then.
- 12:15 PM ET: The Inaugural Address. This is the big speech. Some are short, some are long, but this is where the policy tone for the next four years gets set.
By about 12:30 or 1:00 PM, the formal ceremony usually wraps up. But the day is barely half over.
The Indoor Shift and the Parade
Moving the ceremony to the Rotunda changed the vibe. Instead of 200,000 people seeing it in person, it’s a much more intimate, crowded room of lawmakers and family. For everyone else, they’ve set up giant screens at the Capital One Arena.
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The parade is usually the highlight for people lining Pennsylvania Avenue. Because it’s so cold—we’re talking 24 degrees at the "warmest"—the traditional parade is also moving to an indoor format at the arena. You’ve got marching bands, military regiments, and the "Pass in Review" where the new Commander-in-Chief looks over the troops. It’s a lot of pageantry, but it’s also a massive logistical headache for the Secret Service.
Why the Timing Matters
You might wonder why we’re so obsessed with the clock. It’s a legal thing. At 11:59:59 AM, the nuclear codes are still under the control of the outgoing administration. At 12:00:00 PM, they aren't. There is no "gap" where no one is president. Even if the Chief Justice is running late or someone trips over their words, the power shifts the second the clock hits twelve.
How to Watch the Festivities
Basically every news network is carrying this. CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and the big three (ABC, CBS, NBC) will have wall-to-wall coverage. If you’re a cord-cutter, the White House website usually has a clean feed without the talking heads.
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If you're watching from abroad:
- London: The swearing-in is at 5:00 PM.
- Tokyo: You'll have to wake up at 2:00 AM on Tuesday.
- Los Angeles: Breakfast viewing at 9:00 AM.
What Happens After the Speech?
Once the cameras stop rolling at the Capitol, the new president heads to the "President’s Room." This is a smaller, private part of the building where he signs his first official nominations and executive orders. Then there’s a luncheon with Congress.
By early evening, it’s all about the balls. There are three main ones tonight—the Liberty Ball, the Starlight Ball, and the Commander-in-Chief Ball. Expect performances from people like Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts. Trump is expected to hop between all of them, probably giving short remarks at each.
Actionable Steps for Today
- Check the Weather: If you are actually in D.C., wear more layers than you think you need. The wind chill is brutal.
- Set Your DVR: If you’re working, set it for 11:15 AM to 1:00 PM to catch the full transition and the speech.
- Follow Official Feeds: For real-time updates on road closures or schedule tweaks, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) Twitter/X feed is the fastest source.
- Verify Your Sources: In the age of deepfakes, stick to the primary live streams from established news organizations to ensure you’re seeing the actual event in real-time.