Construction Begins on 2025 Presidential Inaugural Platform with Ceremonial Driving of the First Nail

Senator Amy Klobuchar, Chair of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, Convened the Ceremony

Washington, D.C. - Today the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) and the Architect of the Capitol held the First Nail Ceremony for the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. The event marks the launch of construction of the Inaugural Platform, where the next President and Vice President of the United States will take the oath of office on Monday, January 20, 2025.

During the ceremony, JCCIC Chair Amy Klobuchar, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Rules Committee Ranking Member Deb Fischer, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Architect of the Capitol Thomas Austin drove nails into a plank at the site of the future platform on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. The Senate Chaplain Barry C. Black also offered a blessing over the platform.

Download photos HERE.

"The Presidential Inauguration is a powerful symbol of American democracy and our country's commitment to the peaceful transfer of power. Today's ceremony marks the beginning of this cherished tradition," said Chair Klobuchar. "As the Chair of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in organizing a successful 60th Presidential Inauguration."

"For each incoming president, the Inaugural Platform is built anew to symbolize new beginnings. In this remarkable ceremony, Republicans and Democrats place the first nails together to show support for our peaceful transfer of power, a sacred tradition we should never take for granted. It's a great honor to participate, and I look forward to the 2025 inauguration," said Senator Fischer.

The 60th Presidential Inaugural Platform will be more than 10,000 square feet - the same size as every platform used since the 2005 inaugural ceremonies - which was the largest platform built for any inauguration. The platform is constructed entirely from scratch for each inaugural ceremony. The completed platform will hold approximately 1,600 inaugural guests, including members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, Supreme Court justices, former presidents, and the president and vice president and their families.

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies is charged with the planning and execution of the inaugural events of the President-elect and Vice President-elect of the United States at the U.S. Capitol since 1901.

The nail used by Senator Klobuchar at the ceremony was made from iron ore mined and processed on Minnesota's Iron Range by U.S. Steel at their facilities in Keewatin and Mountain Iron. The hammer used was made by Malco Tools of Annandale, Minnesota.

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