Joe Biden Inauguration Day Schedule: Ceremonies, parade, concerts and what to expect at the historic event
The inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States will be a historic event for many reasons. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the swearing-in ceremony and inauguration procedures will be conducted with utmost precaution and safety measures. In addition, heavy security measures have been adopted to thwart any possible threats of violence from extremist supporters of President Donald Trump after they ravaged the US Capitol on January 6.
For the first time in 150 years, the president will not be attending the oath taking ceremony, creating more rift between the two presidents. Federal agencies have taken adequate measures to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. It must be mentioned here that in the past few weeks, federal authorities have detained many Capitol rioters and right-wing extremists who posed a threat to disrupt Biden’s inauguration event.
Here is a complete timeline of the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, titled “America United”.
Arrival at Washington DC
On Tuesday night, Biden left his family home in Wilmington, Delaware, for Washington, DC, on the eve of the inauguration. After arriving at the capital city, the President-elect and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are believed to be at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, to honor the ones who lost their lives to Covid-19.
Attending mass
8.45 am: On January 20, Biden will start his day with mass at St Matthew’s Cathedral, located near the White House. It is the same church where former president John F Kennedy’s funeral was held. At the mass, Biden is to be accompanied by congressional leadership including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
Our White House: An Inaugural Celebration for Young Americans
10 am to 12.30 pm: The Biden Inaugural Committee will host a "first-ever curated livestream for young Americans before and during the inaugural ceremonies". The livestream will be hosted by entertainer Keke Palmer and feature a special message from Dr Jill Biden to the young Americans. The program will also feature commentary on the nation's history, an entertaining segment on presidential pets and excerpts from student voices.
The Inauguration
10.30 am: Following the mass, Biden will enter the US Capitol building, which was recently under siege from violent extremists during the congressional validation of Biden’s victory. Biden has served in the Capitol for over 30 years as a Senator and later presided over as a vice president to former president Barack Obama. Today, he will enter the building from the East Front.
His swearing-in ceremony will be attended by three former US presidents — Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, George W Bush and Laura Bush, and Barack Obama and Michelle Obama.
Outgoing Vice-President Mike Pence will also be attending along with former vice president Dan Quayle.
11.15 am: Rev Leo O’Donovan will give the invocation. Andrea Hall, a firefighter from Georgia, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Lady Gaga, who had campaigned for Biden before, will perform the National Anthem. There will be a poetry reading by Amanda Gorman, the first national youth poet laureate. Rev. Silvester Beaman of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Wilmington, Delaware, will give the benediction.
Before 12 pm: Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn in by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina Supreme Court Justice. Harris will use two Bibles for administering the oath — one that belongs to Regina Shelton, who she hails as her second mother, and another Bible belonging to the first Black Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. After taking her oath, she will be the first woman and first-ever Black vice president.
12 pm: Chief Justice of the United States, Justice Roberts, will administer Biden's oath of office. He will possibly be using his family’s 127-year-old, five-inch-thick Bible, which he has used every time he has been sworn into office. Following the oath, Biden will deliver his inaugural presidential address.
Farewell and signing ceremony
Thereafter, Biden and first lady Jill along with Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff will bid a formal farewell to Pence and second lady Karen. The signing ceremony will involve the new president signing nominations, memorandums, proclamations or executive orders on the inaugural ceremonies, according to the Joint Congressional Committee. The gift ceremony will be held after this.
1.40 pm: The Pass in Review will be at the end of the inauguration ceremony, where Biden and Harris will review the military troops on the East Front of the Capitol.
Laying Wreath
2.25 pm: After the inauguration, Biden and Harris will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, joined by former presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama.
Inauguration Day Parade
3.15 pm: To adhere to the Covid-19 safety protocols, the duration of the Inauguration Day Parade has been curtailed, as Biden will receive a presidential escort from 15th Street to the White House. They will be serenaded by drumlines from University of Delaware and Howard University and representatives from each branch of the military.
5.15 pm: Biden will sign executive orders and presidential actions from Oval Office.
Celebrating America
8.30 pm: At the end of the Inauguration Ceremony, a 90-minute concert ‘Celebrating America’ will be aired, which will see live performances by celebrities such as Justin Timberlake, Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen and Demi Lovato. The program will be hosted by Tom Hanks and will feature speeches by both Biden and Harris.