‘Democracy Prevailed’: Biden-Harris in White House as US Prez, VP
Catch all the live updates on Joe Biden inauguration here.
advertisement
On Wednesday, 20 January, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States, while Kamala Harris took oath as the Vice President in a historic ceremony to take the leadership of a nation ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic and riven by deep political hostility.
As Biden addressed the nation for the first time as President, PM Narendra Modi congratulated him and tweeted, “We stand united and resilient in addressing common challenges.”
Departing from tradition, former President Donald Trump left the White House with former First Lady Melania Trump, skipping the inauguration of his successor.
- On the eve of his inauguration, Biden and his deputy Kamala Harris led a national mourning service in Washington to pay tribute to those who lost their lives due to COVID-19
- A country deeply divided following an unprecedented mob attack on the US Capitol and the threat of coronavirus pandemic are the two greatest and immediate challenges facing the Biden Administration
- Former President Trump arrives in Florida following a send-off ceremony at Joint Base Andrews
- Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks are among Hollywood A-listers who performed at the inauguration ceremony
- Joe Biden’s maiden address to the nation as their President has been penned by Indian-American Vinay Reddy
- Joe Biden and Dr Jill Biden enter the White House as President and First Lady for the first time
- Vice President Harris and Second Gentleman Emhoff enter the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
- On his first day in the Oval Office, President Biden signs 15 executive actions and two agency actions.
Biden's First Foreign Leader Call Will Be To Justin Trudeau: White House
President Joe Biden's first call to a foreign leader will be to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Wednesday -- with the fate of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline on the agenda.
"His first foreign leader call will be on Friday with Prime Minister Trudeau," Psaki told reporters at her first White House briefing.
India's Ambassador to US Attends Biden's Inauguration Ceremony
India's Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu attended the historic inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the Capitol.
"We look forward to working with President Biden's administration in deepening our comprehensive global strategic partnership in a range of areas," Sandhu said after the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday.
Inaugural Festivities Come to a Close With Fireworks
With Katy Perry singing in the background.
Former Presidents Rally In Support of President Biden
In one frame stood three of America's former presidents - Clinton, Bush and Obama - in support of President Biden.
"Mr. President, I'm pulling for your success. Your success is our country's success. God bless you", said former President Bush.
"I'm glad you're there. And I wish you well," Clinton said in his message to Biden. "You have spoken for us today. Now you will lead for us. And we're ready to March with you. Good luck, God bless you," Clinton said.
"The American people are strong, there're tough, they can get through hardship and there's no problem they cannot solve, when we are working together," Obama said. "...I think all of us discovered that we are at our best when we are all moving in the same direction."
"Optimistic About America": Biden At The Lincoln Memorial
"So thank you for this honour, I will give my all to you", Biden said during the 'Celebrating America' event at the Lincoln Memorial.
"Will we meet the moment like our forebearers have?" he asked. "I believe we must and I believe we will. You, the American people are the reason why I have never been more optimistic about America than I am this very day."
Virtual Inaugural Special 'Celebrating America' Has Begun
President Biden's primetime inauguration special “Celebrating America" has started at the Lincoln Memorial.
The 90-minute program will feature remarks from President Biden and Vice President Harris.
Hosted by Tom Hanks, the special will also feature performances from Jon Bon Jovi, who campaigned with Biden in Pennsylvania, John Legend, the Foo Fighters, Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake and Ant Clemons.
Biden Administration Holds First Press Briefing
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki is holding the Biden administration's first press briefing.
"There will be times when we see things differently in this room. I mean, among all of us. That's okay. That's part of our democracy. And rebuilding trust with the American people will be central to our focus in the press office and in the White House. Every single day," Psaki said.
Biden Swears In Presidential Appointees
In a virtual ceremony, Joe Biden just swore in presidential appointees from the White House.
"We are one team," Biden told the appointees. "We have an obligation, but we also have a great privilege. Very few times does an individual get to do something that can fundamentally positively impact other people's lives, not only here but around the world."
President Biden Signs Executive Orders
"There’s no time to start like today," Biden told reporters. "We’re going to need legislation for a lot of the things.
In his first few hours as President in the Oval Office, Biden signed 15 executive actions and two agency actions.
Among them was an order requiring masks on federal property, one meant to ensure racial equality and another rejoining the Paris climate accord.
Vice President Harris Swears in Democratic Senators
In her first task as Vice President, Kamala Harris swore in three senators: Georgia’s Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, as well as her replacement in California, Alex Padilla.
With this, the Democrats officially take control of the US Senate.
Vice President Harris Enters the White House
Entering the White House as Vice President for the first time, Harris made becomes the first female, first Black and first South Asian US vice president.
She and the Second Gentleman, Doug Emhoff, entered the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
The Virtual Inaugural Parade Kicks-Off
According to a Presidential Inaugural Committee news release, the parade features "diverse, dynamic performances in communities in all 56 states and territories, celebrate America’s heroes, and highlight the diversity, heritage, and resilience of the country."
President Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden Enter the White House
President Joe Biden has entered the White House with First Lady Dr Jill Biden by his side.
They were greeted by military and band members.
Biden and Harris Receive Presidential Escort to White House
President Biden and Vice President Harris, joined by First Lady Dr Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, are escorted from 15th Street in Washington, DC, to the White House by members of the US military.
'The Moment and the Man Are Made for Each Other': Hilary Clinton on Biden
"I was so relieved and grateful that we were able to celebrate the transfer of power in a peaceful way, which has been a hallmark of our country,” Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee said.
“It meant a great deal to so many Americans to see the ceremony conducted on the platform where just a few weeks ago marauders and terrorists had been attempting to stop democracy, so it really lifted my heart.”
Clinton also said she is "thrilled" on Kamala Harris making history as Vice President.
"I am convinced she's going to be a terrific partner to Joe Biden and, you know, really put all of her experience and the expertise to work on behalf of the American people. I don't think we could ask for anything more," she said.
Biden-Harris Lay Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns with Obama, Clinton and Bush
Joined by former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, President Biden and VP Harris lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, a monument dedicated to deceased US service members whose remains were never identified.
Former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton are also in attendance.
Heading to Oval Office to Deliver Bold Action: US Prez Biden
Ready to Serve: VP Kamala Harris Tweets
PM Narendra Modi Congratulates US President Joe Biden
While Joe Biden addressed the nation for the first time as the US President, PM Narendra Modi congratulated him and tweeted, “We stand united and resilient in addressing common challenges.”
PM Modi added, “ The India-US partnership is based on shared values. We have a substantial and multifaceted bilateral agenda, growing economic engagement and vibrant people to people linkages. Committed to working with President @JoeBiden to take the India-US partnership to even greater heights.”
Joe Biden Takes Oath as 46th President of the USA
Joe Biden sworn in as the 46th President of the United States of America.
Kamala Harris Takes Oath as First Woman Vice President of USA
Creating history, Kamala Harris became the first woman, and the first person of African and Indian descent to take oath as the vice president of the United States of America.
Watch Live: Inauguration Ceremony For Joe Biden, Kamala Harris Begins
'A New Chapter Begins Today': Kamala Harris Tweets
“A new chapter begins today,” tweets Kamala Harris who is set to take oath as US vice president on Wednesday, 20 January.
'This is Your Time': Obama Congratulates President Biden
Former US President Barack Obama congratulated Joe Biden ahead of his inauguration as the 46th US President.
'A New Day in America': Biden Tweets Before Inauguration
Ahead of inauguration on Wednesday, 20 January, US President Joe Biden tweeted “It’s a new day in America.” He is all set to become the 46th US President.
Donald Trump Departs White House One Last Time
Donald Trump departs White House, becomes the first US President to miss successor’s inauguration in over a century.
At his departure ceremony, Trump recounted his achievements as a president and extended gratitude to friends and family for their “effort and hard work.”
Gaga, J Lo, Springsteen: Hollywood Royalty in Full Force at Biden, Harris Inauguration
Hollywood A-listers missing from Donald Trump's entry to the White House four years ago are all in for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. The who's who of live entertainment has descended on Fortress Washington, taking forward a tradition that began in the 1940s and repurposing it for global audiences online in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic's winter surge in the US.
Lady Gaga will be singing the national anthem on Wednesday on the West Front of the Capitol, where exactly a fortnight ago a violent pro-Trump mob stormed the building in a stunning bid overturn the election results. Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks will also headline the musical elements of a historic afternoon.
The evening features Tom Hanks hosting a special 90 minute prime time programme "Celebrating America," which takes the place of the official inaugural balls and mixes in stories of ordinary Americans going about their lives during a pandemic. After opening remarks from Biden and Harris, the spotlight shifts to Ant Clemons, Jon Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters, John Legend, Eva Longoria, Demi Lovato, Bruce Springsteen, Justin Timberlake, and Kerry Washington.
YouTube Extends Ban on Trump For Another Week
YouTube extended the suspension of outgoing US President Donald Trump's channel with 2.79 million subscribers for at least another week.
The initial ban on new uploads on the channel came after the violence at the US Capitol by some Trump supporters earlier this month.
Joe Biden Set to Become 46th US President
Joe Biden is all set to take oath as the 46th US President on Wednesday, 20 January, amid a barrage of challenges and crises facing America after five years of Trump rule.
A country deeply divided following an unprecedented mob attack on the US Capitol and the threat of coronavirus pandemic are the two greatest challenges facing the Biden administration.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)