After 40 years, US presidential inauguration takes place within the Capitol

For the first time in 40 years, the inauguration of an American president will take place within the Capitol. President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath Monday in the closed environment due to extremely low temperatures.

Every presidential inauguration ceremony in Washington has its own specials, but this year, as American Voice correspondent Caroline Presutti reports, it will be a very different one.

The Marine Orchestra has performed in every inauguration since 1801. But this time, its members will not have to worry that their instruments will freeze because the inauguration will be kept within the U.S. Capitol because of freezing temperatures.

It's their sound that will accompany the song “America the Beautiful” and shortly after Donald Trump takes his oath as president to the Chief”, performed both by Carrie Underwood.

“even though it's my seventh time, it's always special. It's a little surreal that I'm part of a piece of history and that we're present at this major event not just for America, but for the whole world. So they may all look the same, but they're never the same”, says the Leslye Barrett line of the Marine Orchestra.

And this time it's gonna be really different. The last time cold temperatures moved the ceremony into closed environments was 1985, when Ronald Reagan was sworn in for his second term.

Preparations for the participation of visitors with tickets began more than a month ago, including the construction of a platform in the Capitol, construction of parade stands and 48km of barriers along the sidewalks, more than any previous inauguration.

Thousands of people can come to Washington anyway to attend the ceremony, among them Zander Goss and Olivia Connelli.

I've never been before. I'm new in Washington and it's a good moment”, Olivia says.

My mother was nine months pregnant with me in the inauguration of George Bush, four days before I was born, so technically it's probably my second inauguration”, Zander says.

Monday honours democratic tradition, despite election polarisation.

The “is an example for Americans and the world we have a transition and a new government”, says Anita McBride, who worked for four administrations at the White House.

After the oath, the president usually passes with his limo in a parade and then leaves it to walk to the White House.

But in this inauguration, the newly sworn Trump will appear less than three kilometers from the Capitol at a sports palace and concerts with 20,000 people's capacity.

History will remember this second inauguration of Trump, with a view different from the first one. / VOA