After having decisively won the 2024 presidential elections, donald trump is preparing to return to the White House for his second term as president of the United States. Becoming the only president in recent history to hold office in two non-consecutive terms, the magnate emerges as a key figure in American politics, leaving behind the divisions and controversies of his first term.
The inauguration ceremony, which will be held on Monday January 20, 2025will mark a pivotal moment in the nation’s history, cementing his place as the forty-seventh president since the country’s founding in 1776. As Congress certifies the Electoral College results, Trump will formally assume the presidency, facing a landscape complex political, with a nation in constant transformation and challenges that require solid leadership.
But the date of January 20 is not coincidental. Since 1933, January 20 has been designated as the official inauguration day of the president-elect of the United States. This tradition began after the ratification of the Twentieth Amendment, which established this day as the starting point for new presidential terms, replacing the previous March 4.
In addition, this year the inauguration ceremony will feature a significant gesture: the flags will fly at half-mast in honor of the former president. Jimmy Carterwho died on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100.
From March 4 to January 20: changes in the inauguration
Until 1933, the inauguration of the president of the United States It took place on March 4. This date had been established as part of a tradition started with George Washingtonthe country’s first president, who took office on April 30, 1789. Beginning with Washington’s second inauguration in 1789, March 4 became the traditional date for the presidential inauguration ceremony, with some exceptions , such as presidents who died before completing their term or in exceptional circumstances.
The 4-month period between the presidential elections and the inauguration generated several problems. During the 18th and 19th centuries, this time allowed for the organization of the new government, but as time went by, the system proved inefficient at some critical moments in history, especially when political differences were marked and national tensions reached their peak. algid.
One of the most notable episodes that demonstrated the deficiencies of the system was the Great Depression. In 1932, President Herbert Hoover lost re-election to Franklin D. Roosevelt. The transfer of power, which should have occurred on March 4, 1933, coincided with the worst economic crisis in the history of the United States. Roosevelt faced an urgent need to take action, but the lengthy transition period hampered his ability to respond immediately. The crisis highlighted the need for an immediate change, so that the new president could assume his duties in a shorter period of time.
The Twentieth Amendment: solution to the problem of the Transition period
In response to this situation, Senator George Norris proposed a constitutional amendment that would shorten this transition period. The Twentieth Amendment, ratified in 1933, resolved this problem by establishing that Congress should convene on January 3 and that the president-elect would take office on January 20. Since then, the inauguration has taken place on January 20, a tradition that has remained strong since 1937, with the exception of only four exceptional historical cases.
The first exception to the traditional date of January 20 occurred in 1957 during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s second term. Since January 20, 1957 fell on a Sunday, the inauguration ceremony had to be held privately, with an official oath of office at the White House. Later, the next day, January 21, a public event was held before the nation, marking a milestone in the history of inaugurations. This situation arose because American laws did not allow the ceremony to be held on a Sunday, which led to a temporary modification.
The tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963 It was another exceptional moment that altered tradition. In this case, Lyndon B. Johnson he assumed the presidency on November 22, immediately after the assassination. Although the inauguration was originally scheduled for January 20, 1965, Johnson moved the ceremony forward to November 20, 1963, in a quick and urgent transition act to stabilize the government and lead the nation in times of mourning and crisis. .
The third exception to the date of January 20 occurred in 1974, after the resignation of Richard M. Nixon due to the Watergate scandal. In this case, Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974, marking an abrupt change in the country’s leadership. His successor, Gerald Fordassumed the presidency that same day, in a brief and solemn private oath at the White House, eliminating the need for a traditional January inauguration. On January 20, 1977, the inauguration of Jimmy Carter It was then the next formal ceremony on the established date.
The last exception occurred in 2013, during Barack Obama’s second term. In this case, January 20 fell on a Sunday, forcing the oath to be taken in a private ceremony on the same day. The next day, Monday, January 21, the public ceremony was held at the Capitol, with widespread attendance and participation from the nation. This exception is notable because, although the inauguration occurred within the same period, the delay in the public event was the result of the observance of a religious tradition.
This will be Donald Trump’s inauguration
Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12:00 pm ET on Monday, January 20, 2025. This time is set by the United States Constitution, which indicates that the presidential term begins at noon.
Before the presidential oath, the day will feature various protocol events, including the arrival of dignitaries, the procession to the Capitol and the swearing-in ceremony of the vice president J.D. Vance. Trump will then formally take office after reciting the presidential oath.
This ceremony marks the beginning of Trump’s second term, as he will deliver his inaugural address and sign the first official documents of his government. It will also include an inaugural luncheon, troop reviews and a parade to the White House.
The guest list includes international leaders close to their ideology, such as Javier Milei, Giorgia Meloni, and Viktor Orbánwhile progressive leaders like Lula da Silva and Pedro Sánchez have been excluded. For his part, the Mexican ambassador Gerónimo Gutiérrez Fernández will attend, while the president Claudia Sheinbaum has not been invited.