| Donald J. Trump will take the oath of office outside the Capitol today to become the 45th president of the United States. Expect plenty of pomp and a good deal of protest, too, as hundreds of thousands of people descend on Washington to mark the transfer of power. |
| We’ve put together a guide to the week’s festivities, demonstrations and much more. Here are some highlights: |
| The Schedule |
| 11:30 a.m. | Swearing-in ceremony |
| With American officials and other dignitaries gathered on the West Front of the Capitol, the official inauguration ceremony begins. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. will administer the oath of office around noon. Mr. Trump will then deliver his inaugural address. |
| Afternoon | The Parade |
| After reviewing the American armed forces, President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence will lead the inaugural parade from the Capitol down Pennsylvania Avenue, with the participation of thousands of military personnel representing every branch of the military. |
| 7 p.m. and on | Inaugural balls |
| There will be two official inaugural balls on separate floors of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, and an Armed Services Ball, which will be at the National Building Museum. Mr. Trump is expected to make remarks and take to the dance floor at all three. |
| The Political Atmosphere |
| Mr. Trump will be less popular than any new president in modern American history as he takes the oath of office, according to a series of surveys published in recent days. The numbers suggest that rather than unifying a divided electorate, his transition to power has continued the polarization from the campaign. |
| Polls released on Tuesday by CNN and ORC and by The Washington Post and ABC News found that just 40 percent of Americans approved of the job Mr. Trump has been doing during the transition. |
| Protests and Protection |
| Demonstrators are not unusual at an inauguration, but Mr. Trump’s event is expected to attract many more than usual. Law enforcement officials said they were expecting 99 groups to carry out demonstrations of all sorts over the inaugural period, including 63 on Friday. |
| A well-armed security bubble will encircle much of downtown Washington, as almost 30,000 local, state and federal officials work to ensure that the transfer of power goes off without a hitch. |
| — NICHOLAS FANDOS |
