Trump arrives in DC as organisers scramble to move inauguration indoors due to cold

US President-elect Donald Trump has arrived in Washington DC to celebrate with family, supporters and political allies ahead of his second inauguration on Monday.

Trump's celebration of his return to power got under way on Saturday evening with a fireworks show at his Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, about 48 kilometres outside Washington.

He arrived in Washington as organisers of the ceremony were scrambling to move most outdoor events inside due to forecast frigid temperatures, making it the coldest Inauguration Day in 40 years.

That includes the swearing-in of the president and vice president that traditionally takes place on the steps of the Capitol.

It will be the first time since President Ronald Reagan took the oath of office in 1985 for his second term that the ceremony will be moved inside the building.

"I think we made the right decision. We'll be very comfortable now," Trump told NBC News in a phone interview on Saturday.

Trump made his way from Florida with his wife Melania Trump and their son Barron aboard a US military C-32 aircraft on a flight dubbed Special Air Mission 47, a nod to Trump becoming the 47th president.

It's a courtesy that's traditionally been extended by the outgoing administration to the incoming one.

Trump did not make a government plane available to President Joe Biden ahead of his inauguration in 2021 and instead the Democrat flew to Washington on a privately chartered aircraft.

Promised deportations

In the same NBC news interview, Trump confirmed that his administration would begin its effort "very early, very quickly" on following through on a campaign promise of mass deportations of migrants living in the US without legal permission.

Federal immigration officers are expected to initially target more than 300 people in the Chicago area with histories of violent crimes after Trump takes office, according to an official familiar with the planning.

"Well, it's got to happen and if it doesn't happen, we're not going to have a country any longer," said Trump, who declined to say where the deportation operations would begin.

Trump left office in 2021 as a political pariah after his refusal to accept his loss to Democrat Joe Biden led a mob to overrun the Capitol.

He then broke tradition by skipping Biden's inauguration.

Biden will adhere to one of the most potent symbols of the democratic handover, welcoming Trump to the White House and joining him on the ride to the Capitol before Trump takes the oath of office.

The first time Trump was sworn into office eight years ago, the former reality TV star billionaire came in as an outsider disrupting Washington’s norms.

His swearing-in drew large protests and some clashes in the street.

This time, Trump told NBC, the theme of his inauguration speech would be "unity and strength and also the word fairness."

The People's March

But even before Trump arrived in the capital, groups of mostly female protesters began taking to the street to march for women’s rights which they believe are under threat from the incoming administration.

"I just didn't want to sit home and fret in front of the TV," said one of the protesters, Melody Hamoud.

"I wanted to feel like our movement still has energy and be around others who felt the same."

Saturday's march, rebranded the People's March from the Women's March, promoted themes related to feminism, racial justice, anti-militarisation and other issues and ended with discussions hosted by various social justice organisations.

Protesters held signs with slogans including, 'Save America' and 'Against abortions? Then don't have one'.  

Women outraged over Trump's 2016 presidential win flocked to Washington in 2017 and organised large rallies in cities throughout the country, building the base of a grassroots movement that became known as the Women's March.

The Washington rally alone attracted over 500,000 marchers and millions more participated in local marches around the country, marking one of the largest single-day demonstrations in US history.

This year, the march is expected to be about one-tenth the size of the first one and comes amid a restrained moment of reflection as many progressive voters navigate feelings of exhaustion, disappointment and despair after Kamala Harris’ election loss.

"I'm here because I want the world to know that the majority of Americans do not support this administration. And it's important for us to continue making our voices heard," said marcher, Jill Parrish.