Joe Biden's inauguration: How it unfolded
As the Trump era ends, Joe Biden’s inauguration day continues. Here’s how the historical day played out.
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Early Thursday morning (Australian time), Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States, signalling the end of the Trump era.
Here’s the running order of the key events.
WHEN IS IT?
Under the US Constitution, the current presidential term ends at midday on January 20 after an election, when the new president and Vice President are sworn in.
Pre-inauguration festivities will begin at 9.30am (1.30am, January 21 AEDT) before opening remarks around 11.30am and the official swearing-in at midday.
Noon in Washington D.C. is 4am for Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart, 3.30am for Adelaide, 3am for Brisbane and 1am for Perth.
11.30am Wednesday (Washington DC)/3.30am Thursday (AEDT)
Vice President Kamala Harris will be sworn in first, followed by the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden, who takes office under the constitution at midday on January 20.
Lady Gaga is set to perform the national anthem to a select crowd at the West Front of the Capitol and will be followed on stage by country superstar Garth Brooks and pop star Jennifer Lopez.
Mr Biden will give an inaugural speech of about 30 minutes before an inspection of representatives from all arms of the military.
2pm/6am
Mr Biden and Ms Harris will be joined by dignitaries including former presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton as well as their wives for a wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery.
3pm/7am
Mr Biden will receive a Presidential Escort to the White House followed by a virtual “Parade Across America,” which will feature “diverse, dynamic performances in communities across the country” and is designed to honour everyday heroes.
8.30pm/12.30pm
Due to the pandemic Mr Biden is eschewing the traditional balls and galas and will instead take part in a virtual event mirroring last year’s Democratic National Convention.
A televised “Celebrating America” special that will include remarks from Mr Biden and Ms Harris, as well as everyday Americans showcasing the American people’s resilience, heroism, and unified commitment to coming together as a nation to heal and rebuild.
Actor Tom Hanks will host and the event will feature appearances from actors Eva Longoria and Kerry Washington and with performances at “iconic locations” by Foo Fighters, John Legend, Lin Manuel Miranda, Bruce Springsteen, Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake, Ant Clemons and Jon Bon Jovi.
WHAT USUALLY HAPPENS IN WASHINGTON?
After the storming of the US Capitol Building two weeks ago by supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump and amid widespread fears of more extremist violence in the lead up to and on inauguration day, security measures will also be unprecedented.
With more National Guard troops now deployed in Washington DC than US soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan, the US Capitol will be ringfenced by a 20,000-strong force drawn from six different states.
There are no set rules about the sequence of events apart from the swearing in of the new president, but tradition has been for a parade down the Washington Mall, lunch in the Capitol with members of Congress and a formal handover at the White House from the outgoing First Family.
WILL THIS CHANGE?
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn in, followed by an address to a small crowd from a platform on the West Front of the Capitol.
The stands that were overrun with rioters last week were in place for crowd seating ahead of the inauguration.
Despite new security concerns, Mr Biden has pledged to be sworn in as planned.
“I am not afraid to take the oath outside,” he said on Monday.
They will then lay a wreath and conduct a review of troops at the Capitol before a presidential escort drawn from every branch of the military will take them to the White House.
There are no big public event or galas of any kind as the Biden administration is urging all Americans to stay home.
Rock group the New Radicals will reunite for a single day to perform after the inauguration in a tribute to Biden’s late son and in a nod to Harris’s husband.
During the bout with brain cancer that in 2015 claimed the life of Beau Biden, the family embraced the band’s single You Get What You Give as an uplifting anthem, Joe Biden wrote later in his autobiography Promise Me, Dad.
The song seems to address all those passing through hard times, offering a message of hope. It ends with a call for resisting oppression by the uncaring and powerful.
Americans will instead be encouraged to follow events remotely, much as they were at last year’s Democratic National Convention.
WHEN WILL THE NEW FIRST FAMILY MOVE INTO THE WHITE HOUSE?
Joe Biden had initially planned to travel the two hours from his home in Wilmington, Delaware, on the Amtrak line he took every day of his 37 years as a Senator. However this was mixed amid new security concerns and he has been invited to spend the night before his inauguration at Blair House in Washington DC.
Traditionally the incoming president spends the night of the 20th at the White House but this isn’t necessary and there has been speculation Mr Biden will head back to Wilmington to lessen the chaos if there is more trouble.
In the past, the White House staff has only a few hours to get all the new First Family’s belongings into the private residence and to out the personal touches from the outgoing president.
WHO WILL ATTEND?
Former presidents Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Barack Obama will attend with their wives.
Outgoing Vice President Mike Pence has also indicated he will be at Mr Biden’s swearing in, a conciliatory move welcomed by the new administration.
With its theme of “America United” there will also be a virtual, televised parade made up of representatives from every walk of life and intending to “celebrate America’s heroes”.
WILL TRUMP ATTEND?
Donald Trump will depart Washington DC for his Florida resort before Joe Biden’s inauguration. In a break with tradition, the Trumps will not give the Bidens a formal handover welcoming the new First Family to the White House.
WILL THERE BE A BALL AFTERWARDS?
There won’t be any traditional galas or balls. Even before the chaos of January 6, team Biden was urging everyone to stay home and not gather in any way because of the pandemic.
“We know that inaugural balls and public parades are part of the inaugural tradition,” said the Biden Inauguration Committee in a statement.
“However, given the current public health situation across the country, inaugural activities will have a limited footprint and events like the parade will be reimagined. While the inauguration will look different amid the pandemic, all activities will honour and resemble American inaugural traditions and engage Americans across the country while keeping everybody healthy and safe.”
CAN PEOPLE GET TICKETS?
Members of the public have not been able to buy tickets and are discouraged from travelling to DC.
This guidance has been in place for months due to COVID but Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser again urged people to stay away after last week’s violence.
Despite this, members of Congress have bundles of tickets and key donors have some and the Harris/Biden campaign has been sending out fundraising requests attached to a ticket lottery.
HOW CAN AUSTRALIANS SEE IT?
Most networks will cover at least some of the inauguration events.
HOW CAN THEY FOLLOW IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA?
@BidenInaugural on Twitter and your local News Corp Australia sites.
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