I never thought this day would actually arrive, but alas, here we are. On Jan. 20, Donald Trump will become the 45th president of the United States. Regardless of how you feel about Trump's win, every inauguration is a historical event. If you're wondering how to attend Donald Trump's swearing-in ceremony without a ticket, you're probably not the only one. While free tickets to the event are pretty much unavailable at this point, that doesn't mean you can't still go.
As you can imagine, presidential inaugurations are a pretty big deal. Not only does the nation officially welcome its new president (at least figuratively, if not literally), but the new vice president is also sworn in as well. Both Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence will take the Oath of Office, in which they swear to carry out their respective duties faithfully and "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." For Trump and Pence, if the seriousness of their responsibilities still has yet to sink in, it will when they take that oath.
Free tickets have already been disseminated to the public via state congressional offices, so it's very unlikely that you'll be able to snag a ticket at this point (unless you want to shell out $14,700). Of course, having a ticket is probably the best way to get a good view of the swearing-in ceremony, but no doubt there'll also be crowds of people outside the Capitol and at the National Mall, where the inauguration will be streaming on giant television screens and through audio systems.
If you aren't one of the lucky few who got a ticket, there's also an inaugural parade featuring high school marching bands, veteran organizations, and other groups from around the nation (although if you don't like big crowds, you might want to steer clear.) Tickets to the parade have yet to be released, but people will also have the chance to enjoy the parade at non-ticketed viewing areas.
Since Inauguration Day is considered a federal holiday in Washington, D.C. and parts of Maryland and Virginia, local public schools and colleges will be closed and people who would normally go to work get the day off. If you happen to be located in one of these areas, the inaugural parade might be a good way to spend your free day.
Like all of the presidents who have come before him, Trump will be sworn in and give his inaugural address at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Jackie Evancho, best known from America's Got Talent, is slated to sing the national anthem at the ceremony. George W. Bush, Laura Bush, and Jimmy Carter are among notable figures that are expected to be there. Even Bill and Hillary Clinton are going. Trump's inauguration will also be the last time we'll get to see Barack Obama at an official government event as our president. (I'm not crying, you are.)
For many, Trump's inauguration isn't exactly a "celebration" for our country. But, if anything, it's worth tuning into the inauguration and making sure there are as many eyes on Donald Trump as possible. He should know that the entire nation is watching him, either on screen or in person. Ultimately, it's up to us as his constituents to put pressure on him to do his job well.
