American flags decorate the “Field of Flags” at the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol early morning ahead of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Stephanie Keith | Getty Images
The nation on Wednesday witnessed the transfer of power from Republican former President Donald Trump to Democratic President Joe Biden.
Inauguration Day comes just two weeks after the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump extremists. Trump for months refused to accept the results of the 2020 election, citing debunked conspiracy theories of widespread voter fraud.
Biden’s oath of office and inaugural address occurred in a locked-down Washington with heavy security, including 25,000 National Guard troops on hand to ensure the peaceful transfer of power.
The ceremony was socially distanced with far fewer attendees than is typical as the coronavirus pandemic rages on. Covid-19 has killed more than 400,000 Americans since the pandemic began early last year.
Biden is now the oldest president in history at 78. Vice President Kamala Harris is America’s first female, Black and South Asian American vice president.
Trump broke from precedent by refusing to attend Biden’s inauguration ceremony. The former president left the White House and delivered a farewell address Wednesday morning to a small crowd at Joint Base Andrews before boarding Air Force One for the last time and traveling to Florida.
Trump faces a second impeachment trial in the Senate, even though he is now out of office. The Democratic-controlled House impeached Trump on Jan. 13 for inciting the deadly Capitol insurrection.
President Joe Biden signs executive orders in the Oval Office
President Joe Biden signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, after his inauguration as the 46th President of the United States, U.S., January 20, 2021.
Tom Brenner | Reuters
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden wave from the steps of the White House
U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden wave as they arrive at the North Portico of the White House in Washington, DC, January 20, 2021.
Alex Brandon | Pool | Reuters
President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden arrive at the White House
U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden arrive at the White House after Biden’s inauguration on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. Biden became the 46th president of the United States earlier today during the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.
Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images
Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Douglas Emhoff walk into the Eisenhower Executive Office Building
Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Douglas Emhoff walk into the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House, in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.
Erin Scott | Reuters
A military band parades along the White House
A military band parades along the White House in Washington, DC, after US President Joe Biden and US Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn in at the US Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Patrick T. Fallon | AFP | Getty Images
Vice President Kamala Harris waves with her family
Vice President Kamala Harris waves while walking with her family during the 59th presidential inauguration parade in Washington.
Jeenah Moon | Bloomberg | Getty Images
President Joe Biden waves through the window of “The Beast”
U.S. President Joe Biden waves through the window of a car during the Inauguration Day parade, in Washington, January 20, 2021.
Erin Scott | Reuters
The license plate of U.S. President Joe Biden’s limousine
The license plate of U.S. President Joe Biden’s limousine in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Rod Lamkey | Bloomberg | Getty Images
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after the 59th Presidential Inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol January 20, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia.
Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images
Former Presidents and First Ladies gather at Arlington National Cemetery
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton with his wife, former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, former U.S. President George W. Bush with his wife Laura Bush, and former U.S. president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama wait for U.S. President Joe Biden at the Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia.
Tom Brenner | Reuters
Troops parade during the inauguration of Joe Biden
Troops parade during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States, in Washington D.C., U.S. January 20, 2021.
Brandon Bell | Reuters
The 46th President and First Lady
President of the United States Joe Biden salutes as first lady Jill Biden puts her hand on her heart on the east steps of the U.S. Capitol after after the 59th Presidential Inauguration in Washington.
David Tullis | Reuters
The Bidens and Harris attend a Pass in Review ceremony
President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and her husband Doug Emhoff walk down the stairs after the inauguration ceremony, in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.
TOM BRENNER | REUTERS
President Biden signs inauguration declaration
U.S. President Joe Biden signs three documents including an Inauguration declaration, cabinet nominations and sub-cabinet nominations, as U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris watches in the Presidents Room at the U.S. Capitol after the 59th Presidential Inauguration in Washington.
Jim Lo Scalzo | Reuters
Vice President Kamala Harris watches as Vice President Mike Pence leave the U.S. Capitol
Vice President Kamala Harris and First Gentleman Douglas Emhoff look on as former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and former Second Lady Karen Pence leave the U.S. Capitol following the inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden on January 20, 2021 in Washington.
Joe Raedle | Getty Images
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden leave the swearing-in ceremony
Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden leave the swearing in ceremony during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.
Jim Bourg | Reuters
Presidential embrace
Former US president Barak Obama (R) congratulates US President Joe Biden after he was sworn in, on January 20, 2021, at the US Capitol in Washington.
Olivier Douliery | AFP | Getty Images
Amanda Gorman recites a poem
Amanda Gorman recites a poem during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, January 20, 2021.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
President Biden embraces his family
President Joe Biden (C-L) hugs his son Hunter Biden (C), daughter Ashley Biden and US First Lady Jill Biden after being sworn in as the 46th US President, on January 20, 2021, at the US Capitol in Washington.
Caroline Brehman | AFP | Getty Images
President Joe Biden addresses the nation
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers his inaugural address on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Rob Carr | Getty Images
President Joe Biden fist-bumps Vice President Kamala Harris
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, January 20, 2021.
Brendan McDermid | Reuters
President Joe Biden kisses first lady Jill Biden
Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden kiss after he was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.
Kevin Lemarque | Reuters
Joe Biden is sworn in using the Biden family Bible
Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States as his wife Jill Biden holds a bible on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.
Kevin Lemarque | Reuters
Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th U.S. president
U.S. President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th U.S. President, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, January 20, 2021.
Saul Loeb | Pool | Reuters
Jennifer Lopez performs “America the Beautiful”
Jennifer Lopez sings during the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington
Rob Carr | Getty Images
Kamala Harris is sworn in as U.S. vice president
Kamala Harris is sworn in as U.S. Vice President as her spouse Doug Emhoff holds a bible during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.
Kevin Lemarque | Reuters
Lady Gaga performs the national anthem
Lady Gaga sings the National Anthem during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
Kevin Lemarque | Reuters
Guests are socially distanced during the ceremony
Social distancing audience during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.
Brendan McDermid | Reuters
Sen. Amy Klobuchar opens the inauguration ceremony
Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, speaks during the 59th presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Patrick Semansky | Bloomberg | Getty Images
President Trump waves en route to Mar-A-Lago
President Donald Trump waves from a car as he drives past supporters in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., January 20, 2021.
Marco Bello | Reuters
Supporters of President Trump await his arrival in West Palm Beach
Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump stand near the road, as he arrives to West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., January 20, 2021.
Marco Bello | Reuters
Outgoing President Trump and First Lady arrive in West Palm Beach
U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, January 20, 2021.
Carlos Barria | Reuters
Fist bumps in lieu of hugs, due to the Covid pandemic
President-elect Joe Biden bumps fists with former U.S. President Barack Obama during Biden’s inauguration as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
America’s next first couple
President-elect Joe Biden and Jill Biden arrive at his Biden’s inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington.
Win McNamee | Getty Images
From one vice president to the next
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris talks to U.S. Vice President Mike Pence as they arrive for the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.
Kevin Lemarque | Reuters
The next second couple
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and husband Doug Emhoff arrive to the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Alex Wong | Getty Images
Supreme Court Justices
Supreme Court Justices arrive for the 59th presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Patrick Semansky | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The Pences
Vice President Mike Pence and Karen Pence arrives at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington.
Rob Carr | Getty Images
The Obamas
Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama arrive to the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington.
Alex Wong | Getty Images
The Bushes
Former U.S. President George W. Bush and Laura Bush arrive to the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington
Rob Carr | Getty Images
The Clintons
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton arrives with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington.
Alex Wong | Getty Images
Smile and wave
(L-R) Doug Emhoff, U.S. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Jill Biden and President-elect Joe Biden wave as they arrive on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol for the inauguration on January 20, 2021 in Washington.
Joe Raedle | Getty Images
Ascent to the U.S. Capitol
(L-R) Doug Emhoff, U.S. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Jill Biden, President-elect Joe Biden, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) walk into the U.S. Capitol for the inauguration on January 20, 2021 in Washington
Joe Raedle | Getty Images
Security is tight around the U.S. Capitol
A law enforcement personnel monitoring area during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Susan Walsh | AP
A sea of flags
Flags decorate the “Field of Flags” at the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol ahead of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on January 20, 2021 in Washington.
Stephanie Keith | Getty Images
Finishing touches
A man vacuums inside the US Capitol ahead of the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States on the West Front of the US Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington.
Win McNamee | AFP | Getty Images
The stage is set to usher in the 46th president
The sun rises behind the US Capitol as preparations are made prior to the 59th inaugural ceremony for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on the West Front of the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 20, 2021.
Caroline Brehman | AFP | Getty Images
Bidens attend services at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle
President-elect Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden attend services at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle with Congressional leaders prior the 59th Presidential Inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images
One last flight on Air Force One
President Donald Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, waves as he boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., January 20, 2021.
Carlos Barria | Reuters
Final remarks
President Donald Trump speaks to his supporters prior to boarding Air Force One to head to Florida on January 20, 2021 in Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
Pete Marovich | Getty Images
Final words from the outgoing first lady
First Lady Melania Trump speaks before boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on January 20, 2021.
Alex Edelman | AFP | Getty Images
Outgoing first couple arrive at Joint Base Andrews
President Donald Trump, left, gestures while arriving with U.S. First Lady Melania Trump to a farewell ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Stefani Reynolds | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The Trump family
Ivanka Trump (2nd R), husband Jared Kushner (R), their children, Eric (C-R) and Donald Jr. (C-R) and Trump family members stand on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland as they arrive for US President Donald Trump’s departure on January 20, 2021.
Alex Edelman | AFP | Getty Images
Marine One flies over the White House as Trump leaves office
U.S. President Donald Trump departs the White House aboard Marine One ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021.
Andrew Kelly | Reuters
Trump waves as he boards Marine One
Outgoing US President Donald Trump waves as he boards Marine One at the White House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2021.
Mandel Ngan | AFP | Getty Images
A military aide carries the nuclear “football” with the equipment and nuclear codes to Marine One
A military aide carries the nuclear “football” with the equipment and nuclear codes to Marine One after US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania borded Marine One before departing from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on January 20, 2021.
MANDEL NGAN | AFP | Getty Images
Trump and the first lady depart the White House for final time
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania make their way to board Marine One before departing from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on January 20, 2021.
Mandel Ngan | AFP | Getty Images
