St. John Church, ceremony in the Capitol rotunda, oath… Here is the progress, hour by hour, of Donald Trump's second inauguration.
This is the second “D-Day” for Donald Trump. The president-elect will be inaugurated this Monday, January 20 in Washington DC, during a ceremony officially marking the transition of power from Joe Biden to the American billionaire, after his victory against Kamala Harris on November 5, 2024. Here is the hour-by-hour program of this day.
· 2:15 p.m., Donald Trump attends mass at St. John Church
Before the start of the inauguration ceremony, Donald Trump goes, around 2:15 p.m. (French time), to St. John's Church for a mass. A tradition for every president-elect. Since James Madison, every serving American head of state has visited this building at least once, nicknamed “the church of presidents”.
· 3:30 p.m., tea time at the White House
Between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. (French time), Donald and Melania Trump must join Joe and Jill Biden for the traditional “tea time” at the White House.
· 4 p.m., start of the investiture ceremony
The first guests are expected to arrive around 4 p.m. (French time) in the Capitol rotunda, for the start of Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony. This is the first time since 1985 that it has been held indoors due to poor weather conditions, according to the New York Times.
On the European side, will be present the President of the Italian Council of Ministers Giorgia Meloni, the Hungarian President Viktor Orban, the duo from the Reconquest! Éric Zemmour and Sarah Knafo, as well as Marion Maréchal. The mayor of Perpignan Louis Aliot will also travel to the United States accompanied by MEP Julien Sanchez and his colleague in the Assembly Alexandre Sabatou.
· 5 p.m., speech by Vice President-elect JD Vance
Before the arrival of Donald Trump, JD Vance, the vice-president-elect, must give a speech, around 5:09 p.m. (French time). Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh is responsible for administering the oath to the latter.
· 5:47 p.m., Donald Trump takes oath
The president-elect must, for the second time, take the oath around 5:47 p.m. (French time) in the Capitol rotunda. It is the President of the Supreme Court John Roberts who will take care of administering the oath to him. He will then deliver a speech, the duration of which is not yet known. Country singer Carrie Underwood will next sing a cover ofAmerica the Beautiful.
-· 6:38 p.m., Joe Biden and Kamala Harris leave the Capitol
After an official farewell, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are expected to leave the Capitol around 6:38 p.m. (French time).
· 7 p.m., Donald Trump signs the first decrees
In the “president room” of the Capitol, around 7 p.m. (French time), Donald Trump will sign his first decrees in front of members of Congress. He promised to start his second term with a bang by taking, from the first day, a series of radical decisions.
· 7:10 p.m., lunch at the Capitol
Donald Trump and JD Vance will attend the Capitol luncheon, held by the Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, around 7:10 p.m. (French time).
· 9:30 p.m., presidential parade at Capitol One Arena
Due to weather conditions, the presidential parade will not be held on Pennsylvania Avenue but in the Capitol One Arena, a sports hall in the Chinatown district.
· 9:45 p.m., Donald Trump arrives at the White House
After the presidential parade, Donald Trump must be escorted by the army to the White House, after 9:45 p.m. (French time).
· Between 1:50 a.m. and 3:15 a.m., three dances
The festivities will continue with three balls, one after the other, between 1:50 a.m. and 3:15 a.m. (French time): the Commander-in-Chief Ball, the Liberty Ball and the Starlight Ball. The group Rascal Flatts, the rapper Nelly and the Village People are among the artists scheduled.
Clement Boutin Journalist BFMTV
