Chants of “USA! USA!” Trump, Biden, Kamala, Vance & Incoming Cabinet arrive at the inauguration

Indoor Ceremony

The January 20, 2025 inauguration moved indoors due to extreme cold:

Temperature approximately 20°F in DC
Wind chill below zero
Safety concerns for massive crowd
Historical precedent (Reagan 1985)
Capitol Rotunda venue

The Capitol Rotunda:

Central circular dome of Capitol
Historical paintings depicting American history
Limited capacity compared to outdoor ceremony
Controlled environment
Symbolic national space

USA Chants

“Chants of ‘USA! USA! USA!’ break out in the U.S. Capitol as the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, arrives to be sworn-in as the 47th President of the United States.”

The patriotic chant:

Standard American patriotic expression
Celebratory moment
Supporters present in Rotunda
Political transition celebration
Unique 45-to-47 designation

The “45th arriving to be 47th” — unique historical framework. Grover Cleveland last non-consecutive president (22nd and 24th). Trump joins this rare category.

Formal Introductions

The announcer delivered formal introductions:

President-Elect Trump: “Ladies and gentlemen, the President-Elect of the United States, the Honorable Donald John Trump.”

Trump introduced first — incoming president with established presidential title.

Vice President-Elect (transcription error shows “Donald John Trump” when should be JD Vance): “Ladies and gentlemen, the Vice President-Elect of the United States, the Honorable Donald John Trump.”

The transcription artifact — actual announcement was for JD Vance. Whisper AI misheard or the audio was unclear.

Outgoing Administration: “Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States, the Honorable Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Vice President of the United States, the Honorable Kamala Davy Harris.”

Biden and Harris:

Last formal introduction as President and VP
Protocol required
Peaceful transition
Last official presidential recognition

“Ladies and gentlemen, the Vice President-Elect of the United States, the Honorable Kamala Davy Harris.”

Another transcription artifact — Harris was outgoing VP, not VP-elect. The announcer likely said different phrasing.

Cabinet Designees

“Ladies and gentlemen, the President-Elect’s Cabinet and Cabinet-level Designees.”

The cabinet entering the Rotunda:

Secretary nominees
Cabinet-level officials
Senior advisors
Trump political team
Leadership for next four years

Cabinet members present included:

Marco Rubio (State)
Pete Hegseth (Defense)
Scott Bessent (Treasury)
Pam Bondi (Attorney General - pending)
Chris Wright (Energy)
Doug Burgum (Interior)
Howard Lutnick (Commerce - pending)
Linda McMahon (Education - pending)
Various others

”Thank You”

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

Trump’s entry remarks brief — expression of gratitude as he took his place for ceremony.

Historical Context

The indoor ceremony’s precedents:

1985 Reagan second inauguration (cold)
Historical outdoor tradition
Weather-driven exception
Rotunda venue rarely used

The intimate setting:

Smaller audience
Close-up camera angles
Historic Rotunda backdrop
Presidential oils visible
Statues watching

The Oath

Trump took the oath: “I do solemnly swear 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.”

Administered by Chief Justice John Roberts. The constitutional requirement (Article II, Section 1) completed.

Vance Oath

JD Vance took the Vice Presidential oath similarly, becoming 50th Vice President of the United States.

Vance:

Ohio Senator
Marine Corps veteran
Yale Law School
“Hillbilly Elegy” author
Conservative framework

Biden-Harris Presence

Outgoing Biden and Harris present despite political hostility:

Constitutional tradition
Peaceful transfer of power
Protocol requirement
American democratic norm

Biden’s final official act:

Transfer power formally
Attend ceremony
Leave office
Return to private life

Harris’s final official act:

Attend alongside Biden
Complete VP term
Observe transition
End political moment

America Back

“America is BACK. JD Vance Sworn In as the 50th Vice President of the United States. America is BACK.”

The repeated framework:

America restored
Leadership transition complete
National renewal beginning
Trump-Vance era beginning

Make America Great Again

“They will soon hit the ground running with President Trump to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”

The administration:

Immediate action anticipated
Campaign promises to fulfill
Policy implementation starting
100+ executive orders pending
Day 1 framework executing

Significance

The inauguration moment captured multiple dimensions:

Historical transition: Non-consecutive presidency completed
Indoor ceremony: Weather exception
Peaceful transfer: Biden and Harris present
American framework: USA chants in Rotunda
Cabinet assembly: Full team gathered

The 45-to-47 framework — Trump’s unique non-consecutive distinction — emphasized throughout the ceremony. Historical context placing Trump alongside Grover Cleveland as the only Presidents to serve non-consecutive terms.

The Rotunda venue — intimate, historic, symbolic — provided different atmosphere than outdoor ceremony. Close-up broadcast allowed viewers unique access to the moment.

The USA chants — spontaneous patriotic expression — captured supporter enthusiasm. Beyond political parties, the chant expressed national identity and celebration.

Biden and Harris’s presence — despite political hostility — honored democratic tradition. Peaceful transfer of power, core American framework, observed despite difficulties.

Key Takeaways

Opening chants: “Chants of ‘USA! USA! USA!’ break out in the U.S. Capitol as the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, arrives to be sworn-in as the 47th President of the United States.”
Formal introduction Trump: “Ladies and gentlemen, the President-Elect of the United States, the Honorable Donald John Trump.”
Formal introduction Biden-Harris: “Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States, the Honorable Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Vice President of the United States, the Honorable Kamala Davy Harris.”
Cabinet introduction: “Ladies and gentlemen, the President-Elect’s Cabinet and Cabinet-level Designees.”
Framework: “Trump Sworn In as the 47th President of the United States. America is BACK. JD Vance Sworn In as the 50th Vice President of the United States. America is BACK.”