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Biden will receive short walk to the White House instead of inaugural parade on Jan 20: 'He leads by example'

Joe Biden will be sworn in with a virtual parade in place due to the raging pandemic on January 20, the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced on January 2
UPDATED JAN 4, 2021
Joe Biden (Getty Images)
Joe Biden (Getty Images)

President-elect Joe Biden will not be getting a traditional inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue once he takes office, thanks to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, he will receive a presidential escort to the White House. Biden and to-be First Lady Jill Biden will not have the traditional inaugural parade on January 20, the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced on January 2, USA Today reported.

The Bidens will be getting a presidential escort from 15th Street to the White House after he gets sworn-in on the West Front of the Capitol. It has been reported that the escort will have representatives of every branch of the military including the US Army Band, a Joint Service Honor Guard, and the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard and Fife and Drum Corps from the 3rd US Infantry 'The Old Guard'. 

The organizers and planners of the escort have been trying to work out how to include many inaugural traditions while maintaining the safety and health of Americans as the Covid-19 pandemic rages on with no signs of slowing down. The act of replacing the inaugural parade with a presidential escort will enable Americans and the rest of the world to witness the new first family arriving at the White House without attracting large crowds who usually gather around Pennsylvania Avenue for the parade. 

The inaugural committee’s chief executive officer, Tony Allen, said, "This is an exciting opportunity to work with Americans across the country to showcase President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect (Kamala) Harris’ steadfast commitment to a diverse, inclusive and unified nation. There are many grand traditions to the inaugural, and we plan to honor them by highlighting more of our nation’s people than ever before while keeping everyone safe." 

 Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and President-elect Joe Biden take the stage at the Chase Center to address the nation on November 7, 2020, in Wilmington, Delaware (Getty Images)

A 'virtual parade' will be televised and will also feature performances in communities across the country. The parade will celebrate America's heroes and highlight Americans from all walks of life, inaugural planners have revealed. The participants for the parade will be announced in the upcoming weeks. 

The committee has said that the program will include musical acts, local bands, poets, dance troupes and others paying tribute to America's heroes. The committee's executive director Maju Varghese said, "This innovative programming will keep people safe and use new ways to bring in Americans across the country — from rural towns and urban cities to younger and older Americans to everybody and everywhere in between." 

All participants will be practicing social distancing and safety protocols will be in place. After the swearing-in takes place, Biden and Harris along with their spouses will take part in a "Pass in Review" ceremony along with members of the military. 

Many social media users praised Biden for the minimalist parade. One such user said, "If only LAME DUCK DONALD had been as passionate and engaged about saving lives during the pandemic as he was trying to convince republicans in GA (and possibly other states as well) to help him steal the election." Another added, "I salute anyone who stays close to home & respects other’s wellness any way they can." Yet another shared, "Some how I think Joe will be happy with having a safe low keyed inauguration being humble as he is."

One said, "I love a President who leads by Example." Another said, "Joe Biden has wanted this presidency for years. When he finally achieves his goal, he will sacrifice much of the pomp and circumstance he deserves to protect the country he loves. I can't imagine a more bittersweet victory. This is presidential behavior."



 



 



 



 



 

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