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Under the United States Constitution, a president’s four-year term ends “at noon on the 20th day of January.” On Wednesday, following the end of Donald Trump’s presidency, Joe Biden will take over the office during the ongoing inauguration ceremony at the Capitol.
However, some things will be different this year. With the US still in the throes of the coronavirus pandemic, which killed more than 400,000 people across the country, there will be none of the sprawling crowds seen at Barack Obama’s two inaugurations. And after the deadly riot in the Capitol earlier this month, much of the area will be shut down, with up to 25,000 National Guard members willing to deploy in Washington – bringing the number of US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq together. becomes smaller.
Despite these challenges, a fair amount of pomp and circumstance – partly virtual – is still planned. Some times for the events have not been officially announced, but here’s an idea of what to expect.
Trump is leaving the White House
Trump leaves the White House just before 8 a.m. on his way to Joint Base Andrews, the Maryland military base used by Air Force One.
The White House has issued invitations to a ceremony at the base, telling attendees to arrive at 7:15 a.m. and the event 45 minutes later. Few details about the event have been released, but Trump is said to love a lavish affair, with a 21-gun salute, a color guard, a military band and loads of supporters, CNN reported.
In a sign that Trump’s aides may be struggling to gather a large crowd, guys have been told they can take up to five other people, and invitees even included Anthony Scaramucci, the former White House communications director who has become a vocal Trump critic. Another blow to Trump’s plans for a flashy farewell came when the Pentagon reportedly said it would not say goodbye to the outgoing president.
After the ceremony, Trump flies to the Mar-a-Lago compound that will become his home. Trump has broken with tradition by refusing to attend Biden’s inauguration. The last outgoing president to do so was Andrew Johnson, in 1868. Mike Pence, Trump’s vice president, will be in attendance.
Inauguration program begins
Biden’s inauguration program begins sometime after 11 am, with Father Leo J. O’Donovan, a longtime American Catholic Jesuit friend of the Biden family, who will issue an invocation. Andrea Hall, a Georgia firefighter with the South Fulton Fire and Rescue Service, will then lead the pledge of allegiance. Hall is the first African American woman in the department’s history to be promoted to the rank of fire chief.
Lady Gaga, who campaigned for Biden, will perform the national anthem, and Amanda Gorman, the very first national laureate for youth poets in the US, will read a poem.
Rev Dr Silvester Beaman, a friend of Biden and the president-elect’s deceased son Beau, will lead a blessing. Beaman is the pastor of Bethel African methodist episcopal church in Wilmington, Delaware.
Jennifer Lopez will also give a musical performance.
Biden and Harris swore in
Shortly before noon Sworn in by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Kamala Harris becomes the country’s first female, first black, and first South Asian American vice president. The vice-president-elect will use two Bibles, one of which belonged to Thurgood Marshall, the first black person to serve on the Supreme Court.
In the afternoon, Biden will be sworn in by John Roberts, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The president-elect plans to use his family’s very large 1893 Bible.
After his official appointment, Biden will deliver his inaugural speech. Biden has reportedly been working on the speech since November, and according to his inaugural committee, Biden will “set forth his vision to defeat the pandemic, better rebuild and unite and heal the nation.”
The theme of the inauguration is “America United,” and Biden’s speech is likely to have a different tone from that of his predecessor. Donald Trump delivered a 16-minute speech during his inauguration in 2017, most of it inciting.
‘Pass in review’ and Arlington Cemetery
Biden takes part in the traditional “Pass in review” after 2 pm. He and Harris – and their husbands – will take the short walk to the east end of the Capitol, where they will observe a procession from each branch of the military. The pass in assessment indicates the peaceful transfer of power to the new commander in chief.
The next event will bring Biden about three miles southwest of the White House Arlington National Cemetery, where about 400,000 military veterans are buried. Biden will lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton will join Biden at the cemetery, as will former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton.
Biden travels to the White House
Biden then gets one presidential escort to the White House. According to the inaugural commission, every branch of the army will be represented, including musical elements. Traditionally, newly sworn presidents participate in an inaugural parade from the Capitol to the White House, riding most of the route and occasionally walking to wave to supporters. There won’t be such a parade this year, but a virtual one will replace it.
‘Virtual parade through America’
At around 3:15 pm a “Virtual Parade Through America” will be broadcast live on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Biden’s inaugural commission said the virtual parade will feature “diverse, dynamic performances in communities in all 56 states and territories.” Jon Stewart and the olympian Allyson Felix are among the participants.
Celebration of America’s primetime TV special
On the night of the inauguration, there is usually at least one ball – Obama and Michelle Obama somehow attended at 10 – but there won’t be a lavish party on Wednesday night. However, there will be a 90-minute primetime show, expected to air on most channels, on the occasion of Biden’s presidency.
Tom Hanks will host the show, entitled Celebrating America, with comments from Biden and Harris and, according to the inaugural committee, “performances that represent the rich diversity and vast talent America has to offer.”
Ant Clemons, Jon Bon Jovi, John Legend, Eva Longoria, Demi Lovato, Bruce Springsteen and Kerry Washington will be among those who appear.