Construction Begins On Presidential Inauguration Platform

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif. look at photographs of former inaugurations on display on Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, during a ceremony to drive in the first nails to signifying the... House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif. look at photographs of former inaugurations on display on Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, during a ceremony to drive in the first nails to signifying the start of construction on the 2017 presidential inaugural platform. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) MORE LESS
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WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Capitol workers have started to build the presidential inauguration platform, with an assist from congressional leaders.

Republican and Democratic leaders hammered in the ceremonial first nails for the structure where the next president will take the oath of office on Jan. 20.

The platform will be built on the West front of the Capitol, a tradition started with President Ronald Reagan. Before Reagan was president, inaugurations took place on the East front.

Building the 10,000 square-foot platform from scratch is a major job. Trees have to be uprooted, a fountain has to be temporarily filled in and even some marble has to be removed to allow the new president, lawmakers, justices and other guests— 1,600 people in all — to fit on the stage.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  1. has Cheeto Donnie started screaming that this is proof the election is ‘rigged’ because he wasn’t asked to give input on his Inauguration Platform?

  2. Republican and Democratic leaders hammered in the
     ceremonial first nails for the structure where the next
     president will take the oath of office on Jan. 20.
    

    More fitting would be to use " screws " —

  3. His crew will show up later to install the fog machines.

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