WASHINGTON – At noon on Friday, Donald Trump will become the 45th president of the United States. Millions of Americans will rejoice at the sight, and millions more will not.
Republican nominee Trump won the US presidential election held on November 8, 2016, beating his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to stream into Washington on 20 January to watch as President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in as the US president.
All eyes will be on the US Capitol as Mr Trump formally replaces President Barack Obama in the White House.
What is a presidential inauguration?
The newly elected US president is sworn into office by the Chief Justice of the United States every four years at noon (17:00 GMT) on 20 January, as prescribed by the Constitution.
The incoming president was historically inaugurated on 4 March, but the period of delay was shortened when the 20th Amendment was ratified in 1933.
The oath is part of a ceremony marking the peaceful transition of power on the steps in front of the US Capitol. The ceremony is then followed by a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue and later celebrated through a series of inaugural balls.
An estimated 800,000 to 900,000 people are expected to travel to Washington for the inauguration
Departure of Obamas
President Obama and the first lady will accompany Mr. Trump in a motorcade to the US Capitol for the official ceremony, where they will be joined by members of Congress, politicians as well as supporters.
Former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, who lost to Mr Trump in November’s election, are expected to attend.
George W Bush and his wife, Laura, as well as Jimmy Carter have also confirmed they will attend the ceremony.
George HW Bush, who was in hospital for respiratory problems, wrote a letter to Mr Trump wishing him well and apologising for missing the event due to health concerns.
President Barack Obama drew an estimated 1.8 million people to Washington when he took office eight years ago.
Who is not going?
More than 50 House Democrats are publicly refusing to attend the ceremony amid a feud between the newly elected president and the civil rights activist and congressman, John Lewis.
Mr Lewis is among the congressmen who will not be in attendance. Some lawmakers have said they will instead attend the Women’s March on Washington, a protest set to take place a day after the inauguration.
Boycotts and protests
Several demonstrations both protesting and supporting Mr Trump will take place around the city over the weekend.
Most notably, the Women’s March on Washington is estimated to draw crowds of 200,000 people on 21 January. It sets out to demonstrate for racial and gender equality, affordable healthcare, abortion rights and voting rights – issues perceived to be under threat from a Trump presidency.
The motorcycle group Bikers for Trump will also host a rally for the incoming president after the ceremony and before the inauguration parade.
Other protests include: Anti-war and anti-nuclear weapons rally attended by former Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein; #DisruptJ20 Festival of Resistance, organized by the DC Counter-Inaugural Welcoming Committee; and #Trump420 march, hosted by marijuana advocates who plan to hand out 4,200 free joints (which is legal in Washington).
