The highly anticipated inauguration ceremony, after a rather frantic series of events, is going to be held today as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris get formally inaugurated as the 46th President and Vice President, respectively, of the US.
The divided politics and deeply disturbed minds of the citizens are likely to take a breath of fresh air during the ceremony. However, there are arrangements of tight security as the event is going to take place in the same area where the riots took place recently, the Capitol building.
The ceremony is due to begin after 8.30 pm IST after the list of programs that are organized for the day. No other inauguration ceremony has been held on this day in US history.
In view of the pandemic and the battered health of people, Biden opted for a low-profile event with a smaller crowd in attendance.
Many traditions were skipped this year due to the virus including the luncheon with the Congress and Supreme Court, Inaugural Parade that follows the lunch, and also the inaugural balls. Instead of these, the President-elect has placed a “virtual parade”, which will showcase all parade participants from over the country with a special TV show called “Celebrating America” to be hosted by Tom Hanks.
Another tradition that is about to be broken this year is the absence of the outgoing President from the ceremony as Donald Trump made his way out of town much before the event. The last time the instance happened was in 1869 when Andrew Johnson chose not to attend the inauguration ceremony of Ulysses S Grant.
To prevent the spread of the virus as part of the bunch of measures being taken, no spectator will be permitted to watch the ceremony on the National Mall that is often seen lined up with people.
Opposed to the tens of thousands of people who would usually show up to witness the procession, only about 1000 will be present this time, including the families of Biden and Harris, SC justices and the Congress members, each of whom are allowed to bring in just one guest.
Prior to the swearing ceremony, a National Anthem performance by Lady Gaga is scheduled along with musical performances of Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks.
As per the time directed in the Constitution, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will inaugurate Biden as the 46th President of the US while Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will inaugurate Harris as the Vice President in US Capitol’s West Front, exactly where the attack took place on 6th January.
According to the tradition, except Trump, the other former living Presidents of the US will be attending, including Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Barack Obama accompanied by their spouses.
With Trump taking off for Florida, Jimmy Carter becomes the other former President who won’t be seen at the ceremony, the only one he will be missing since 1977. However, Trump’s Vice President Mike Pence and wife Karen Pence will be in attendance.
After the oaths, the President will give his inaugural speech surrounding the theme “America United”. Biden’s inaugural committee says his speech will highlight “his vision to defeat the pandemic, build back better, and unify and heal the nation”.
Followed with this would be the newly appointed President and Vice President’s entry into the Capitol for the signing event and another congressional luncheon- which now stay canceled because of the pandemic.
Traditionally, the outgoing President will be sent off from the East Front of the Capitol building. With Trump nowhere in the picture, this too will be skipped and Biden will continue with the other ceremonies finally taking his place in the White House.
