Workers build a stage in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., Friday, for the 60th presidential inauguration, which was moved indoors because of cold temperatures expected Monday. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
One lawmaker told Fox about having 700 people traveling to Washington for the inauguration, and now none of them would be seated anywhere. But the lawmaker had "not heard one complaint" from people traveling to see the inauguration in person who now can’t.
President Reagan’s 1985 inauguration, moved inside because of extreme cold and a temperature of 7 degrees, accommodated a crowd of 1,000 in the Capitol Rotunda. Fox colleague Aishah Hasnie reports the grand total allowed inside the Capitol Rotunda for this inauguration will likely be 600. In addition, Fox is told that "600 is pushing it" due to fire concerns. One source says the figure may be closer to 500 before all is said and done.
TRUMP TO BE INAUGURATED INSIDE: LAST CEREMONY HELD INDOORS WAS REAGAN'S IN 1985
Fox is told that there were concrete plans for inaugurations in 2017 and 2021 to move ceremonies indoors. Officials even rehearsed those scenarios. In addition, Fox is told there was serious discussion about moving the 2017 inauguration inside because of rain and concern about umbrellas.
While the weather is the primary reason for moving the inauguration indoors, multiple sources close to the planning of the event have expressed concerns about security.
"My Spidey senses are up," said one lawmaker who asked not to be identified and is steeped in the planning of this event. But when Fox pressed various lawmakers and other sources, no one could identify a specific threat.
First lady Nancy Reagan, center, looks on as President Reagan is sworn in during ceremonies in the Rotunda beneath the Capitol Dome in Washington, D.C., Jan. 21, 1985. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, File)
And then there is another factor: snowball fights.
One senior source tells Fox there was actual discussion about snowball fights interfering with the event if Washington got a fresh coating of snow. One source said planners worried it could "get out of hand" and could contribute to injuries.
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Inside or out, this could be the snowiest inauguration since the swearing-in day was moved to Jan. 20 in 1937. The previous record for snow on inauguration day came in 1961, for the swearing-in of President John F. Kennedy. Washington received seven-tenths of an inch of snow that day.
And considering the weather, perhaps it was only appropriate that the poet Robert Frost spoke at JFK’s inauguration.
Chad Pergram currently serves as a senior congressional correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC). He joined the network in September 2007 and is based out of Washington, D.C.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hitchhikers-guide-snowball-fights-moving-inauguration-inside