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 is witnessing the transfer of power from outgoing GOP President Donald Trump to incoming Democratic President-elect 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 will occur 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 will be 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.
When sworn in, Biden will be the oldest president in history at 78. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be America’s first female, Black and South Asian American vice president when she takes her oath of office.
Trump broke from precedent by refusing to attend Biden’s inauguration ceremony. The outgoing 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.
The outgoing president faces a second impeachment trial in the Senate, even though he will be out of office. The Democratic-controlled House impeached Trump on Jan. 13 for inciting the deadly Capitol insurrection.
(L-R) Doug Emhoff, U.S. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Jill Biden and President-elect Joe Biden wave from the steps of the U.S. Capitol
(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
(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
(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
US National Guardsmen stand on a closed street outside the Capitol Building. The inauguration ceremony for US President-elect Joe Biden and US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris takes place in Washigton, D.C., on January 20, at noon local time (8pm Moscow time).
Yegor Aleyev | TASS | Getty Images
The Capitol seen across 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
Final preparations are made ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration
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
Biden and Dr. Jill Biden 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
President Donald Trump waves before boarding Air Force One for the last time
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
Trump makes final address to supporters as president
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
First Lady Melania Trump speaks to supporters before boarding Air Force One
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 arriving 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 awaits the president’s arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
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 First Lady depart 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
