2025 Inauguration Topical Guide

Donald Trump will take the oath of office as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2025. JD Vance will take the oath of office as vice president. It will be Trump's second inauguration as president; the first was as the 45th president on Jan. 20, 2017.

The Associated Press has compiled a style guide of essential words, phrases and definitions. Some are from the AP Stylebook. Others are common usage in AP political coverage.

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Capitol

Domed home of the U.S. House and Senate. The swearing-in takes place outside the West Front of the Capitol.

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Capitol Hill

A neighborhood in Washington and site of the Capitol, several nearby federal buildings that house offices of members of Congress, as well as the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress.

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Day 1

Capitalize as a chronological device for summarizing multi-day events such as Day 1, Day 2. The term is commonly used for Jan. 20, the first day of the presidency.

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District of Columbia

In datelines Washington doesn't take D.C. Generally use District of Columbia within a story only for official designations, such as local government names, or to avoid confusion with other localities of that name. Washington should be used in most story references to the U.S. capital because of the name recognition globally. Use Washington, D.C., with the added abbreviation only if the city might be confused with the state. Do not use D.C. standing alone other than in quotations. On second reference, the district is acceptable. Postal code: DC. See state names, Washington.

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first lady, first gentleman

An informal reference for the spouse of the president; not an official title. Always lowercase. Also: second lady or second gentleman for the spouse of the vice president. Usually reserved for families of heads of state, but acceptable at lower levels, such as governor or mayor, if that is the local custom. Should the individual hold or have held an official title of high office, that title takes precedence: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ran for president, not former first lady Hillary Clinton ran for president.

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Inaugural

Lowercase adjective for all ceremonies marking the president's new term and as a noun for the address given by the president at his swearing-in.

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inaugural address

Trump will deliver the traditional address to the nation after taking the oath of office on Jan. 20. The inaugural address is one of the milestone speeches given by all presidents, along with the annual State of the Union address.

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inaugural platform

The stadium-style stage erected for the inauguration on the West Front of the Capitol. It has more than 1,600 seats for members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, governors, military leaders, Cabinet members and nominees, former presidents, and the Trump and Vance families.

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Inauguration Day

Capitalize only when referring to the collection of events that include inauguration of a U.S. president; lowercase in other uses: Inauguration Day is Jan. 20. This is the 60th inauguration.

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Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies

Responsible for the swearing-in ceremony, inaugural luncheon and review of troops.

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national anthem

Lowercase. But: "The Star-Spangled Banner."

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National Mall

A park in downtown Washington, administered by the National Park Service. Generally, the area between the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol. On second reference: the Mall.

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National Guard

Capitalized. Lowercase the guard on subsequent references. For people, say National Guard members or guard members.

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Pennsylvania Avenue

The thoroughfare from the Capitol to the White House, route of the inauguration procession and parade.

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presidential oath of office

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

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St. John's Episcopal Church

Located across Lafayette Park from the White House where the president-elect traditionally begins official appearances of Inauguration Day with a morning worship service.

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Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts

Administers the oath of office.