Donald Trump will be back in the White House. How to see the inauguration ceremony in D.C.
President-elect Donald Trump won the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, to clinch a second White House term.
The electoral vote will now take place in December, and he will be sworn into office on Jan. 20, 2025.
A presidential inauguration is when “ the president-elect and vice-president-elect are sworn in and take office,” according to USA.gov. The event is organized by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, which allows a certain number of tickets to Congress to distribute to the public.
If you want to attend, you must contact your assigned congressman. The day is full of events and ceremonies.
Here is how the process works:
What is a presidential inauguration?
The full day of celebration begins with a processional march to the Capitol building by both the outgoing President and President-elect. The White House acknowledges the importance of this event, “This transition, both peaceful and symbolic of continuity and change, continues to amaze the world and represents the best of American democracy.”
J.D. Vance, the new vice president, will have his swearing-in ceremony first and will be officially sworn into office. Both Vance and Trump will recite an oath when swearing-in. It will be the same words said by the nation’s first president -- George Washington -- made when he was inaugurated.
President-elect Trump will then swear in last by also reciting an excerpt from the Constitution.
Just like the oath, every president also delivers an inaugural address, which can range from 135 words to 8,000 in length.
The first thing all presidents do after swearing into office is to sign into office. In the President’s room of the U.S. Capitol building, Trump will sign his first official actions. After this, the newly sworn-in cabinet will host guests to an Inaugural Luncheon.
Trump and Vance will march with U.S. service members down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.
How can I get tickets to the inauguration?
If you want to participate in this long and exciting day of ceremonies, you must request a ticket from your state. Tickets are free but are limited in volume.
Many Texas representatives already have ticket request forms on their websites. To make a ticket request, you must be a constituent of the congressman’s district. Congressman options for residents in Fort Worth are Marc Veasey and Kay Granger. If you are unsure, you can visit the United States House of Representatives website for additional assistance.
If you do not get a ticket from Congress, there are also ticketed sections along the Washington Mall where you can watch the parades.
The inaugural tickets website offers options for standing room at the Washington Mall, the swearing-in ceremony, the exit parade, sanctioned and non-sanctioned inaugural balls, and the Texas Black Tie & Boots Ball.
Swearing in Ceremony (8 a.m.): $795 to $3,500.
2025 Inaugural Parade (noon): $750 to $1,750.
Sanctioned Presidential Inaugural Ball (8 p.m., president guaranteed to make an appearance): $7,500.
Unsanctioned Presidential Inaugural Ball (president may make an appearance): $3,000.
Texas Black Tie & Boots Ball (7 p.m. at Ronald Reagan Building): $950.
Where is the inauguration?
Of course, the event takes place in Washington, D.C., which is just under a three-hour flight from Dallas-Fort Worth.
Non-stop round-trip flight prices for Saturday, Jan. 18, through Tuesday, Jan. 21, are currently high, but there are deals.
United: $343 (Dallas/Fort Worth to Dulles International Airport)
American: $498 (DFW to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport)
Southwest: $596 (Dallas Love Field to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport).
Where to stay in Washington, D.C. to see Donald Trump?
Hotels near the Washington Mall for the same dates have prices that are also a little more expensive than usual but are shaping up to be.
Hyatt Place Washington D.C./U.S. Capitol: $642 a night
Hyatt Place Washington D.C./Georgetown/West End: $690 a night
Holiday Inn Express Washington D.C.: $468 a night
American Guest House: $450 a night
The Georgetown Inn: $799 a night
Homewood Suites by Hilton Washington DC NoMa Union Station: $832 a night
The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, D.C.: $2,489
The Watergate Hotel: $938
This story was originally published November 6, 2024 at 4:44 PM.