Klobuchar to Lead Trump Inauguration Despite Political Differences

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., will play a central role in the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on Monday, despite their political differences. As chair of the bipartisan Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, Klobuchar will call the ceremony to order and deliver remarks emphasizing the peaceful transfer of power.

Klobuchar, the only Democrat speaking at the event, said her role is not partisan but a duty to uphold tradition. “This ceremony truly is the peaceful transition of power, and it is on me, even though I did not support the president-elect, to make sure that this ceremony is worthy of our country and worthy of our leadership in the world,” she told the Minnesota Star Tribune ahead of the event.

This marks Klobuchar’s second time leading an inauguration ceremony. In 2021, she spoke at President Joe Biden‘s inauguration, just two weeks after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Her speech then celebrated resilience, stating, “This is the day when our democracy picks itself up, brushes off the dust and does what America always does — goes forward as a nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”

This year, Klobuchar said her remarks will focus on the significance of the peaceful transfer of power as the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary. “We’re approaching 250 years of our democracy, and our democracy has endured through times of adversity and prosperity and war and peace,” she said. “There are a lot of people that are going to be happy tomorrow, and a lot of people that are going to be anxious and worried about what’s to happen in the years to come.”

Due to extreme cold weather forecasted for Washington, D.C., Trump announced that most of the ceremony, including speeches and prayers, will be held indoors in the Capitol rotunda. “The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the windchill factor, could take temperatures into severe record lows,” Trump said on Truth Social. “I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way.”

Security for the event has been a top priority, with thousands of law enforcement and National Guard members deployed. Klobuchar, who chairs the Senate Rules Committee, said she has worked to enhance coordination between the Secret Service and Homeland Security since the Jan. 6 attack. “You cannot predict every security event that may happen, as we know from the assassination attempt on the incoming president, but you have to prepare and adapt and be ready for anything,” she said.

While Minnesota’s four Republican members of Congress will attend the inauguration, some Democrats, including Reps. Ilhan Omar and Betty McCollum, plan to stay in Minnesota for Martin Luther King Jr. Day events. “My time would be better spent with my constituents rather than traveling back and forth between Minnesota and Washington to attend the inauguration for just a few hours,” McCollum said in a statement.

Klobuchar emphasized her commitment to ensuring the ceremony reflects the nation’s values. “I have a job tomorrow, and then I will continue my work of standing our ground when we must and finding common ground when we can,” she said.