As calendars flip to January, a new presidential administration is gearing up to take the reigns.
Donald Trump won the Nov. 5 presidential election in a decisive victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. Since then, the former president has been transitioning to his duties, including appointing a slate of new staff and picks for his Cabinet.
But Trump doesn’t officially take over the Oval Office for several weeks.
According to the 20th Amendment of the Constitution, the term for President and Vice President begin at noon on Jan. 20 the year following a presidential election. That means Inauguration Day is around the corner.
When is Inauguration Day?
Inauguration Day is on Jan. 20, 2025.
The presidential inauguration is held on the same date, Jan. 20, every four years, per the Constitution.
What happens on Inauguration Day? Where is it held?
The presidential inauguration is held at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies oversees the planning of every inauguration ceremony and has been planning the ceremonies since 1901, according to its website.
On Inauguration Day, these events always take place, per the JCCIC:
- Procession to the Capitol
- The outgoing president traditionally accompanies the president-elect to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony.
- Vice President’s swearing-in ceremony
- The vice president-elect takes the oath of office before the president-elect does.
- President’s swearing-in ceremony
- The president-elect takes the oath of office.
- Inaugural address
- The newly-sworn president addresses the nation.
- Honorary departure
- Following the swearing-in ceremonies, the outgoing president and first lady leave the Capitol to begin their post-presidential lives.
- Signing ceremony
- The first official actions are taken by the newly-sworn president.
- Inaugural luncheon
- The JCCIC hosts a luncheon at the U.S. Capitol for the new president and vice president.
- Pass in review
- The president and vice president lead a procession down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.
What is the presidential oath of office?
On Inauguration Day, the president-elect recites the following oath in accordance with the U.S. 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 vice president-elect is sworn in before the president-elect and repeats the same oath of office as U.S. senators, representatives and other 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.”
Is Inauguration Day a federal holiday?
Inauguration Day is a holiday for federal employees in the Washington, D.C. area, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
This year, Inauguration Day coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which also falls on Monday, Jan. 20.
MLK Jr. Day is a federal holiday, according to OPM. It always falls on the third Monday in January.
How to watch the presidential inauguration
The presidential inauguration will be streamed on most major television networks on Jan. 20.
