Before and during President Donald Trump's inauguration, Washington will host both celebrations and protests. Three official balls and a dozen unofficial ones are planned, along with mass protests and a meeting between Trump and his supporters.
Washington has been preparing for a lot this week, including several more days of frigid temperatures and hordes of people and police for the presidential inauguration, plus related protests planned across the city in the coming days.
Officials said this week they expected about 250,000 people with tickets to arrive in the US capital to witness Donald Trump's inauguration as president again. The last time he held the position was between 2017 and 2021.
Fewer visitors are expected for next Monday's ceremony than were present at Trump's first inauguration, local and federal officials said at a news conference. In 2017, more than a million people were prepared.
Temperatures are expected to be particularly low in Washington on Monday. The temperature at noon, when Trump will be sworn in, is forecast to be in the low 20s Fahrenheit (-6 degrees Celsius), about 20 degrees below normal.
Enhanced security
Although a lower turnout is expected this time, recent acts of violence – such as the New Year's Day attack in New Orleans— mean there will be an increased security presence, officials said.
On Inauguration Day, 25,000 police and military officers will be in the District of Columbia to provide security, including the full activation of D.C. police, 7,800 National Guard troops and about 4,000 officers from around the country, according to William McCool , the special agent in charge of the Secret Service's Washington Field Office.
Before the inauguration, Washington will host both celebrations and protests.
A Trump victory rally is planned for Sunday afternoon at the Capital One Arena, where the American band Village People will perform.
The stadium has a capacity for 20,000 people, the company that manages it, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, told a Washington news station.
The company said in a statement to News4 that the stadium has been offered to all administrations, “regardless of party,” for decades.
“We are pleased that President Trump accepted our offer and we will welcome him and his guests to the Capital One Arena on January 19,” the statement said.
Although there will be three official inaugural balls, more than a dozen unofficial inaugural balls are scheduled throughout the weekend in Washington.
However, protests have also been scheduled.
On Saturday, a rally called the People's March is expected to draw tens of thousands of people to downtown Washington. The rally is organized by several civil rights, racial justice and reproductive health groups.
“As Trump assumes the presidency in January, we come together to mobilize our collective power and oppose his efforts to roll back our rights and freedoms,” Analilia Mejía, co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy, said in a statement.
On Monday, the Answers Coalition's National Day of Action will include a rally and march, according to media reports.
Accustomed to crowds
Washington officials said they are used to handling crowds and protests.
“Here in the city, we allow peaceful protests all the time,” DC Police Chief Pamela Smith said at a press conference this week. “But when it comes to breaking the law, we simply are not going to tolerate it.”
On Monday night, after the inauguration, Trump is expected to shuttle between three official inaugural parties.
But the inauguration celebrations will not be limited to Washington.
For example, in Florida, where Trump resides at his Mar-a-Lago resort, the pro-Trump Villages MAGA Club will host a kickoff party Monday night, about 60 miles northwest of Orlando. The celebration is already sold out, according to an Eventbrite ad announcing the party.