“Joe Biden became the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday, declaring that ‘democracy has prevailed’ as he took the helm of a deeply divided nation and inherited a confluence of crises arguably greater than any faced by his predecessors,” reports the Associated Press.
“Biden’s inauguration came at a time of national tumult and uncertainty, a ceremony of resilience as the hallowed American democratic rite unfurled at a U.S. Capitol battered by an insurrectionist siege just two weeks ago. The chilly Washington morning was dotted with snow flurries, but the sun emerged just before Biden took the oath of office, the quadrennial ceremony persevering even though it was encircled by security forces evocative of a war zone and devoid of crowds because of the coronavirus pandemic.”
Arrivals and departures
Guests and spectators attend the inauguration for President Joe Biden at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 20, 2021. (Susan Walsh/Pool/AFP) President-elect Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden walk hand in hand as they arrive at the Capitol for the inauguration; it was for the 59th presidential inauguration in U.S. history. (Win McNamee/Getty Images/Pool via Associated Press) Marine One helicopter, with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump aboard, flies over the National Mall. (Patrick Semansky/Pool via Associated Press) National Guard troops look on during Biden’s inauguration. Biden became the 46th president of the United States. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) National Guard troops stand at attention outside security fencing along Pennsylvania Avenue as Biden’s motorcade drives past on its way to the inauguration. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Biden delivers his inaugural address on the West Front of the Capitol. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) Jill and Joe Biden step out onto the portico as the inauguration ceremony begins. (Andrew Harnik/Associated Press) A socially distanced crowd watches the inauguration at the Capitol. (Patrick Semansky/Pool via Associated Press) Lady Gaga sings the National Anthem at the inauguration. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images) Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama arrives for the inauguration. (Patrick Semansky/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) Vice President Kamala Harris celebrates with Biden after she was sworn in. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Songs, speeches and swearings in
Jennifer Lopez sings during the inauguration ceremony. (Rob Carr/Getty Images) Biden gives his inaugural address during the ceremony. (Pool via Getty Images) Biden delivers his inaugural address. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) Biden is sworn in as the 46th president by Chief Justice John Roberts, right, as Jill Biden holds the Bible. The president and first lady were joined by their children, Ashley and Hunter. (Andrew Harnik/Pool via Associated Press) Harris is sworn in as vice president as her husband, Doug Emhoff, holds two bibles. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Poet Amanda Gorman recites a poem during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (Saul Loeb/Pool Photo via AP) Vice President Kamala Harris greets a well wisher as she departs the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool Photo via AP) Emhoff, from left, Harris, Jill Biden, Joe Biden, Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar arrive for the inauguration. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images) President Joe Biden signs his first executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
