Many Ohioans traveled to Washington with high hopes of attending the historic swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance. However, inclement weather has forced changes to their plans, leaving them searching for alternative viewing options to witness the event from afar.
Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, a Findlay resident, had been eagerly anticipating her first-ever presidential inauguration, having supported JD Vance throughout his political career. She and her husband received tickets for the event from U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R., Ohio), and were thrilled at the chance to experience such a momentous occasion up close.
“We were super excited. This was a bucket list item for both of us, and we hadn’t been to an inauguration before. What a great one to come to,” said Garner Brumbaugh. However, as the date of the ceremony approached, she was disheartened to learn that the swearing-in ceremony would be moved indoors due to heavy snow and other weather conditions.
According to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, the swearing-in of President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Vance will be held indoors at the U.S. Capitol. This is the first time since President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985 that such a ceremony will take place indoors. The change, although disappointing for many, ensures that the event can proceed despite the weather disruptions.
More than 1,000 Ohioans, many of whom are affiliated with the Ohio Republican Party, had traveled to Washington with plans to attend the swearing-in. The Ohio GOP had offered inauguration packages ranging from $500 to $4,995, each providing various amenities, including access to the ceremony and associated events. Now, with limited seating inside the Capitol building, Ohioans are left searching for new ways to experience the inauguration.
Despite the change in plans, Garner Brumbaugh remains optimistic. The Ohio Republican Party is hosting an indoor watch party, where Ohioans can gather to view the ceremony together and celebrate the moment with fellow Republicans.
“We’re going to enjoy it from inside with other excited Republicans,” she said, making the most of the trip despite missing the live event.
Though Garner Brumbaugh’s excitement to attend her first inauguration in person was dampened, she and her husband are still embracing their Washington trip. “We’re really excited about the Ohio Ball tonight, and we’re looking forward to hearing from Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife,” she added.
Sylvania City Councilman Brian McCann also traveled to Washington with plans to attend the swearing-in ceremony. In 2016, McCann attended President Trump’s first inauguration with his daughter, and he had hoped to repeat the experience this time with his son. Unfortunately, the weather also forced him to reconsider his plans.
“We decided that better planning is just to stay home and watch whatever we can catch on the news,” McCann explained, acknowledging that the weather was simply too unpredictable to risk traveling.
The National Weather Service had warned of heavy snow accumulation and dangerously cold wind chills expected throughout Washington, adding to the challenges faced by attendees. On Sunday, snow was expected to accumulate quickly, impacting travel and creating hazardous conditions for those hoping to attend outdoor events. With temperatures expected to remain low and the forecast predicting snow, it became clear that watching the ceremony from a distance was the safest option for many.
For those still eager to watch the ceremony live, the Capital One Arena in Washington will offer a viewing option, although it can only hold about 20,000 people. According to McCann, however, this venue would offer a different experience compared to the inauguration, comparing it to a rally rather than the official event.
“I anticipate that the event at Capital One would be like a rally he’s held in the past,” said McCann, who previously attended a similar event in Toledo. “It’s a neat event, but it’s not the same as the outdoor event at the inauguration.”
Lawyer Mark Wagoner, who traveled with the state Republican Party, also commented on the weather-related changes. “We understand that President Trump can do a lot of things, but he can’t control the weather,” he said, humorously acknowledging the challenges posed by the snowstorm.
Though much of the attention remains focused on the inauguration itself, Garner Brumbaugh highlighted that Ohio is also making waves in Washington. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently announced that former Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted would be filling the Senate seat left vacant by JD Vance. Husted, who had initially planned to run for governor in 2026, will now campaign to retain the Senate seat in the upcoming election.
Adding to the political excitement, Columbus area billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy is expected to announce his candidacy for governor later this month, with other potential candidates, including Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague and Attorney General Dave Yost, also making waves in Ohio’s political landscape.
“We’re doing great things in Ohio,” Garner Brumbaugh said, proudly sharing the positive buzz surrounding her home state. “When people find out you’re from Ohio, they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, you guys are doing great things.’”
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