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Thousands Weather Brutal Cold, Chaos for Trump Inauguration

Hundreds wait in snowy weather to join Trump's Victory Rally in Washington, D.C. on January 19, 2025. (Credit: Manuel Scheuernstuhl)

Hundreds wait in snowy weather to join Trump’s Victory Rally in Washington, D.C. on January 19, 2025. (Credit: Manuel Scheuernstuhl)

 

Washington, D.C. was abuzz with activity ahead of Donald Trump’s second inauguration, but supporters were forced to face, head on, some of the worst, and most intense weather that the east coast has experienced in decades.

 

Still, freezing temperatures couldn’t dampen the atmosphere in the early morning, as thousands lined up in rain, sleet, and snow. Some people arrived as early as 6 a.m. to secure their place in line for a shot at seeing the president. The queue stretched more than a mile to enter the Capital One Arena, one day before he was to be inaugurated during the coldest inauguration since 1985.

 

The weather forecast for the weekend leading up to Trump’s inauguration was expected to be brutal. It was so frigid that Trump, who planned for an outdoor rally, moved things indoors.

 

Data collected from the National Weather Service station KDCA about three miles south of central Washington, D.C., showed temperatures in the capital hovered between 28°F and 41°F. However, the high humidity — averaging 80% — made it feel far colder, with wet bulb temperatures reaching as low as 16°F. In addition, winds reached speeds of up to 36 MPH, with rain and snow causing wet, icy conditions as the temperatures dipped back below freezing.

 

According to the National Library of Medicine, prolonged exposure to cold, wet temperatures can lead to hypothermia, where the body’s core temperature drops dangerously low, causing shivering, confusion, and even heart or breathing issues. Frostbite is another risk, as reduced blood flow to extremities like fingers and toes leaves them vulnerable to freezing damage.

 

Wet clothing increases heat loss, making it even harder to stay warm. To reduce these risks, they recommend staying as dry and insulated as possible when exposed to freezing weather for long periods, which was impossible for many hopeful attendees. The icy weather report ahead of the weekend also appeared to influence the merchandise for sale, with warm beanies and scarves being among the items. 

 

But for as cold and wet as it was, few people were injured. According to Vito Maggiolo, public information officer for D.C. Fire and EMS, eight hypothermia-related cases were reported during the 24 hours on Jan. 19. Four people were treated by EMS, and three were transported to the hospital.

 

“We were prepared for cold-related injuries this weekend,” Maggiolo said. “Considering the number of people who came to town, the number of incidents was minimal.”

 

A Trump supporter is wearing a MAGA hat covered in snow while queuing in front of the Capitol One Arena at around 4 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2025. (Credit: Manuel Scheuernstuhl)

A Trump supporter is wearing a MAGA hat covered in snow while queuing in front of the Capitol One Arena at around 4 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2025. (Credit: Manuel Scheuernstuhl)

 

He credited the city’s robust emergency response system and the public’s efforts to heed warnings about dressing warmly and staying safe in the cold. “A lot of people took our advice,” he added.

 

However, Maggiolo admitted that there may have been additional injuries caused by the disorganization and inclement weather, such as falls, that were not categorized as such. According to the National Weather Service, only a quarter-inch of ice can be dangerous.

 

“Other calls could be weather-related, but we’re not sure,” he said. “We were only tracking hypothermia.”

 

Complicating the event further was the chaos that unfolded when officials opened the gates of the arena, with hopeful spectators rushing the entrance and jumping over — or even tearing down — metal fences that had been erected to ensure a smooth and orderly entrance. 

 

Military personnel redirected the crowd to new locations, which only created more confusion. As the crowd grew, people began pushing and running down the street in a desperate attempt to move forward.

 

Julie Dillon and her family flew in from Colorado Springs for the weekend after her husband, a Colorado State Patrolman, was selected as part of the out-at the inauguration. 

 

“There were people cutting in line, and we even got accused of cutting,” Dillon said, adding that the overall lack of structure and disorganization left a lasting impression. “It was chaotic and disorganized.” 

 

As the weather worsened around 3 p.m., and it started snowing again, parents tried to escort their young children safely out of the crowd, holding hands and the backs of shirts to form a chain.

 

Ricardoa Saavedra, a National Guardsman from Delaware who controlled the traffic around the White House, was one of the 25,000 law enforcement officers who set up a perimeter with barricades and security checkpoints around downtown Washington. 

 

“From my impression, it is quite organized. Everything is organized. Everything is under control,” he said on Monday.

 

Perry M. Brunette, a California resident, flew from Washington to New Jersey on Saturday, then rented a car and drove down to Washington on Sunday morning. He and his wife arrived at 8:30 a.m. to get in line for the rally. During the turmoil they lost each other. She got into the rally, but he didn’t.

 

“ All of a sudden, the line just spread out into a huge crowd, and we got separated.”

 

Standing still in line covered in snow, he showed a video his wife had sent him on his smartphone from inside the arena.

 

Even if he did not make it in, “it’s part of the adventure,” he said. “It is what it is.

About the author(s)

Andrew Mercein

Andrew Mercein is a magazine columnist, Substack author, TV producer and master's degree candidate at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.

Manuel Scheuernstuhl is a Fulbright Scholar from Germany, currently pursuing his Master’s in Journalism at Columbia University.