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While you may be hoping that the event appeared larger, these satellite photos were actually taken at about 1100-1130am, which would be pretty close to the peak attendance at the Inauguration.

Using this map that utilizes the Washington Monument as a sundial, we can estimate the time based on the shadow provided by the monument:

http://sundials.org/links/local/images/washmon.htm

Seconded. It's too bad; it would be cool to have a sat image of the mall during Obama's speech.

Exactly my thoughts.

Whether it was done on purpose to try to diminish the magnitude of the event, or a stupid mistake from the publisher.

It was packed to the roof with more than a million souls.

It was so crowded that on WTOP by 7:30 they were suggesting that listeners stay home. There were already over 200k Metro rides by 7am which is absurd.

I'm sure they would have wanted to have the satellite orbit at the appropriate time, but changing the orbit to coincide with a specific time isn't exactly cheap or easy.

That being said, you wouldn't need a satellite to take these pictures. Also, the Mall is under constant (heavy) surveillance.