The 2025 inauguration has definitely been anything but ordinary. This year marks the 60th presidential inauguration. It was held on January 20th, 2025, welcoming President Donald Trump back into office for a second term.

Trump is the first president to serve two non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland’s presidency. Not only will President Trump be the 45th and 47th president of the U.S. , but he will also be the third president sworn in on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

Due to freezing temperatures the morning of the inauguration over 20,000 citizens and specially invited guests were held in the Capitol Building. 

Ohio Valley native, Rachel Ambrose, was invited through the West Virginia House of Delegates to attend the inauguration. 

“It was 11 degrees out that morning and we bundled up to go wait in line. Everyone had hand and feet warmers to hold onto and it was dark out still,” said guest, Rachel Ambrose.

The Capitol Building was filled to max capacity, and guests waited hours to get in. The secret service was taking extreme precautions when letting guests in. All those in attendance waited hours to get through security, and into the building.

“By the time we got to the front there was secret service as security. They were walking up the line telling us no cameras, bags, or purses were allowed. People were emptying their bags and leaving them in the street to get a chance to make it inside. People left designer bags outside,” said Ambrose.

After hours of waiting, President Donald Trump made his appearance at the capitol building to speak. 

Although this inauguration day had many similarities to those in the past, there was one factor that specifically stood out. President Trump’s elected cabinet sat in the second row, behind a few of America’s elite. 

The 2025 inauguration will definitely go down as one like no other.