What happens at the swearing-in ceremony? A guide to Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20

The National takes a look at what happens during the event

Ceremonial military teams rehearse for the presidential inauguration in Washington. Getty Images / AFP

Donald Trump will be sworn in on Monday as US president, in a time-honoured ceremony that will officially herald the beginning of his second term in the White House.

Here, The National takes a look at what happens during the inauguration.

Inauguration Day schedule

The day a new president is inaugurated is a time for major celebrations, with events held over four days, beginning on Saturday. Events include a fireworks display, several dinners honouring the new president and vice president, and a “Maga [Make America Great Again] Victory Rally”, according to Mr Trump's transition team.

Inauguration Day, January 20, will begin with a service at St John’s Church, followed by tea at the White House. St John's sits opposite the White House, so Mr Trump and his retinue will not be spending much time in the bitter Washington cold.

After tea, Mr Trump and vice president-designate JD Vance will head to the US Capitol, where they are expected to be sworn in at noon, in keeping with rules laid out in the Constitution.

After the swearing-in ceremony is the official farewell for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and a departure ceremony, after which Mr Trump will head to the President's Room near the Senate chambers, where he is expected to sign a series of nominations.

Then Mr Trump will attend a luncheon at the Capitol, after which he will review troops in the presidential parade.

He will then participate in a signing ceremony at the White House. Three inaugural balls are on the schedule: the Commander in Chief Ball, the Liberty Inaugural Ball and the Starlight Ball.

Country singers Carrie Underwood and Parker McCollum, singer Kid Rock, country group Rascal Flatts disco group The Village People and tenor Christopher Macchio are scheduled to perform during this year's swearing-in ceremony, the rally and balls.

What will Donald Trump say at the swearing-in ceremony?

The vice president-elect is sworn in first and gives the same oath of office, in use since 1884, as members of Congress and federal employees: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”

At about noon, the president-elect recites the following oath, in keeping with Article II, Section I of the US Constitution: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

The president-elect and vice-president elect may choose to make their oath while placing their hand on a Bible, though not all have chosen to do so. Mr Trump is then expected to give his inaugural address.

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Where does the signing ceremony take place?

The first official actions taken by the newly sworn-in president take place in the President’s Room, off the Senate Chamber in the US Capitol.

After the departure of the former president and first lady, the new president gathers there with aides and members of Congress to sign nominations and sometimes memorandums, proclamations or executive orders, according to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCIC).

The tradition began in 1981, with President Ronald Reagan. Before then, nominations were often submitted to the Senate on Inauguration Day without ceremony.

What is the pass-in-review?

After the conclusion of the inaugural ceremonies and the luncheon is the parade. Typically, the new president and vice president make their way to the east front steps of the Capitol, where they review military troops before leading a procession of ceremonial military regiments, citizens’ groups, marching bands and floats on Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, according to the JCIC.

But this year, due to extreme temperatures, the parade will take place at Capitol One Arena, where Mr Trump is expected to review the troops and groups participating.

Thousands of people are expected to descend on Washington for the parade and roads around the route will be closed off to traffic.