America President Joe Biden was inaugurated on Wednesday amidst probably the heaviest security in the history of the country’s presidential inaugurations.
More than 25,000 soldiers were deployed on the streets of Washington to avert a recurrence of the January 6 insurrection at which thousands of Trump supporters invaded the U.S. Capitol, prompting the House and Senate to abruptly take a recess as the U.S. Capitol Police locked down the building.
The protests were timed to coincide with Congress’ certification of the Electoral College votes and aimto pressure Republican lawmakersinto supporting Trump’s effort to overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s electoral victory.
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The insurrection failed to achieve its aim and Mr Biden was duly inaugurated on January 20 but without the massive crowd that grace such events as COVID-19 ravages the US.
The United States is struggling to cope with a COVID-19 outbreak that has killed more than 400,000 and infected millions.
Below are pictures from the event courtesy of the BBC.
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President Biden sits in the Oval Office at the White House before he signs 15 executive orders aimed at boosting the federal response to the coronavirus crisisPresident Biden swore in presidential appointees during a virtual ceremony in the Oval OfficePresident Joe Biden waved to supporters before he and First Lady Jill Biden entered the White HouseVice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff walked with their family down Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White HouseEarlier in the day, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th US President by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, with his wife Jill by his sideKamala Harris was sworn in as Vice-President of the United States as her husband Doug Emhoff looked onPresident Biden took his oath on a Bible that has been in his family since 1893 and was also used each time he was sworn in as Delaware senator. The book itself is five inches (12.5cm) thick with a Celtic cross on the coverAfter his swearing-in, President Biden gave his inaugural speech, saying: “We learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile and at this moment, my friends, democracy has prevailed.” During his speech, Biden held a silent moment of prayer for those who have died in the Covid-19 pandemicInside the Capitol, President Biden signed the Inauguration Day proclamation and nominations for his cabinet and sub-cabinetPresident Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris lay a large wreath togetherPresident Joe Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden walk up to the White HousePresident Joe Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden embrace outside the White HouseWriter Amanda Gorman read her poem The Hill We Climb as part of the inauguration ceremony. It referenced the Capitol riot earlier this month, but also underlined the theme of unity set out by the new presidentLady Gaga sings the American national anthem with Joe Biden standing behind herJennifer Lopez gestures to Kamala HarrisAs President-elect Joe Biden prepared to be sworn in, the outgoing President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived at Palm Beach International Airport in Florida, bound for their Mar-a-Lago golf club residenceThe Bidens pictured as they arrived at the inauguration, on the West Front of the US CapitolKamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff waved to well-wishers when they arrived. Harris wore purple, a colour traditionally seen in the US as a symbol of bipartisanship – a combination of the blue and red of the Democratic and Republican partiesFormer President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama were among the guests at the inaugurationFormer President Bill Clinton also arrived with former Secretary of State Hillary ClintonFormer President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush were shown to their seats before the swearing-in ceremonyEarlier in the day, Joe Biden attended Mass at the Cathedral of St Matthew the Apostle in Washington DCDonald and Melania Trump departed the White House to board Marine One. Breaking with precedent, they did not attend his successor’s inaugurationJoe Biden and Kamala Harris, with their spouses, were seen looking out over the National Mall, which would normally be filled with supporters if not for the pandemicSecurity across Washington was tight with about 25,000 troops on hand following a deadly riot at the Capitol earlier this monthOn the eve of the inauguration, the National Mall in Washington was seen covered in flags, representing the people who are not able to attend the event this year due to Covid restrictions
