With one week to go until President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration day, the Trump Inaugural Committee announced a four-day schedule of events on Monday, January 13. The activities include a MAGA Victory Rally, three inaugural balls, and a fireworks celebration.
Co-chairs of the committee, Steve Witkoff and Kelly Loeffler, stated in a press release that “President Trump will be dedicated to rallying around his ‘America First’ agenda, ensuring security, creating opportunities, and uniting the nation. The 2025 inaugural celebrations will highlight the historic significance of President-elect Trump’s return to the White House, while also congratulating the American people for casting a decisive vote to make ‘America great again.'”
On January 18, Saturday, the President’s Reception and fireworks display will be held at the Trump National Golf Club in Virginia. Additionally, there will be a cabinet reception and a vice president’s dinner.
On January 19, Sunday, activities will include a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, a Make America Great Again Victory Rally at the Capital One Arena where Trump is expected to speak, and a candlelit dinner event.
Inauguration day will begin with a prayer service at St. John’s Church, followed by a tea reception at the White House.
President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance are scheduled to be sworn in at noon, with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris formally departing.
Following that, Trump will head to the President’s Room near the Senate Chamber to sign nominations as per tradition.
After the nomination signing ceremony, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies will host a luncheon. Trump will then review troops to kick off the presidential parade, marching from the Capitol down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.
The press release stated that after the parade and Oval Office signing ceremony, Trump will attend three inaugural balls: the Commander-in-Chief Ball, the Liberty Ball, and the Starlight Ball, where he is expected to speak.
On the morning of January 21, the inaugural festivities will conclude with the National Prayer Service.
Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya announced on January 12 that he plans to attend Trump’s inauguration. Japan sending the foreign minister to the U.S. presidential inauguration is rare and coincides with Japan seeking arrangements for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to meet with Trump.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will attend Trump’s inauguration and meet with members of the Trump administration.
Australian Foreign Minister Penelope Ying-yen also confirmed her attendance at Trump’s inauguration, expressing confidence in the U.S.-Australia alliance.
According to sources cited by Japan’s Kyodo News, the Quad – a security dialogue among Japan, the U.S., Australia, and India – is coordinating a foreign ministers’ meeting in the U.S. on January 21.
In a surprising move, Trump announced his invitation to Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration. However, according to the Financial Times, Xi Jinping will not be present at the ceremony but will send a special envoy.
(This article references reports from POLITICO.)