US ELECTION 2024
Inauguration Day: what day will Donald Trump enter the White House and when is the handover with Joe Biden?
The former president will return to the White House next year bucking a huge historical record set by Grover Cleveland.
After an election race that was too close to call for a long time, the result is finally clear. Donald Trump is predicted to win the presidential election for a second time, only the second person to do so non-consecutively.
Eyes turn to the hand over of power from Democrat to Republicans in January. The last handover was particularly fraught, with the infamous January 6 insurrection leading to a mob occupying the Capitol as well as the detahs of rioters and law enforcement.
The hand over will take place on 20 January, 2025; 78 days away.
What happens in this gap between presidents?
During this period between election and inauguration, the transition team handle the influx of campaign staff and prepare to take over the functions of government.
According to Presidential Transition Guide published by the Center for Presidential Transition (CPT), the main goals of the transition for a new president are as follows:
- Staffing the White House and the Executive Office of the President, developing a functional decision-making process and preparing to assume governing responsibility.
- Making more than 4,000 presidential appointments, more than 1,200 of which require Senate confirmation.
Getting up to speed on more than 100 federal agencies and organizing and training leadership teams for each one. - Building a policy platform for the new administration based on campaign promises, and planning executive actions, a management agenda, a budget proposal and potential legislation.
- Preparing a 100- to 200-day plan for executing the policies laid out during the campaign to help the new administration get off to a quick start.
The day’s events will be organized by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. Around noon, Donald Trump will take the presidential oath of office, typically administered by the Chief Justice of the United States. Following the oath, the newly re-elected president is expected to deliver his inaugural address.
Will President Joe Biden be in attendance?
Last month, incumbent President Joe Biden confirmed he will attend the inauguration of his sucessor, no matter who won.
“This president believes in the peaceful transfer of power, and that’s what you’re going to see this president do,” Jean-Pierre said. “It’s not about him. It’s about the American people. That’s what the American people need to see regardless of who wins.”