Sign up for the Guardian’s First Thing newsletter
According to the United States Constitution, a president’s four-year term “expires at noon on January 20”. On Wednesday, at the end of Donald Trump’s presidency Joe Biden will see the office in the permanent inauguration service at the U.S. Capitol.
This year, however, some things will be different. With the U.S. still catching on with the pandemic of coronavirus, which has killed more than 400,000 people nationwide, none of the sprawling crowds seen at Barack Obama ‘s two installations will fail. And after the deadly riots at the Capitol earlier this month, much of the area will be locked down, with up to 25,000 members of the national guard ready to deploy in Washington – taking over the combined number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Despite these challenges, much nuggets and rituals – some significant – are still planned. Some of the times for the events have not been officially announced, but here ‘s an idea of what to expect.
Trump leaves the White House
Trump plans to leave the White House just before 8am, heading for Andrews Joint Base, the military base in Maryland used by the Air Force.
The White House has issued invitations for a reception at the base, and attendees are asked to arrive at 7.15am with the event starting 45 minutes later. Very little information has been leaked about the incident, but Trump is believed to be in favor of a strong relationship, with a 21-gun welcome, a color guard, an armed band and feedback from supporters , CNN reported.
In a sign that Trump supporters may be struggling to gather a large crowd, however, guests I was told They can include up to five other people, and invitees even included Anthony Scaramucci, a former White House communications director who became Trump’s vocal critic. Another blow to Trump’s plan of farewell came when the Pentagon said it would not say goodbye to the armed forces for the outgoing president.
After the ceremony, Trump will fly to the Mar-a-Lago building that is to be his home. Trump has broken with tradition by refusing to attend Biden’s founding. Andrew Johnson was the last president, in 1868. Mike Pence, Trump’s vice president, will be in attendance.
Starter program begins
Biden’s inauguration program begins sometime after 11am, with Father Leo J O’Donovan, an American Catholic priest who is a longtime friend of Biden’s family, to attack. Andrea Hall, a Georgia firefighter in South Fulton’s fire and rescue department, will then lead the pledge of obedience. Hall is the first African American woman in the region’s history to be promoted to the rank of fire captain.
Lady Gaga, who campaigned for Biden, will sing the national anthem, and Amanda Gorman, the first U.S. national youth poet, will read a poem.
The Rev. Dr. Silvester Beaman, a friend of Biden and Beau, the late son, will be president. Beaman is pastor of an African Bethel-style Episcopal church in Wilmington, Delaware.
Jennifer Lopez will also give a musical performance.
Biden and harris went inside
Shortly before noon, Kamala Harris will be introduced by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and will be the nation’s first female vice president, first Black and first South American. The vice president will use two bibles, one by Thurgood Marshall, the first Black man to serve on the highest court.
At noon, Biden will be introduced by John Roberts, chief constable of the high court. The president plans to use his family ‘s large bible from 1893.
After officially taking office, Biden will deliver his inaugural address. Biden has been working on the speech since November, and according to its inaugural committee Biden will set out “his vision to tackle the pandemic, build a better recovery, and to unite and heal the nation ”.
The theme of the dedication is “America United”, and Biden ‘s address seems to offer a different tone to the previous one. Donald Trump gave a 16-minute speech, much of it incendiary, at his debut in 2017.
‘Pass in review’ and Arlington cemetery
Biden will take part in the traditional “Pass in review” after 2pm. He and Harris – and their spouses – walk a short walk to the east front of the Capitol, where they will see a parade of every branch of the army. The pass in review marks a peaceful transition of power to the new chief.
The next event will take Biden about three miles southwest of the White House, to Arlington National Cemetery, where about 400,000 military veterans are buried. Biden lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Former presidents Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton will join Biden at the cemetery, as will first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton.
Biden travels to the White House
Biden then gets a chief defender to the white house. Every branch of the army represented, according to the inaugural committee, consists of musical elements. Traditionally sworn-in presidents take part in an inaugural parade from the Capitol to the White House, led most of the way and sometimes walking in waves to lawmakers. support. The parade will not be like this this year, but a meaningful one will take its place.
‘Virtual march across America’
At around 3.15pm, a “significant march across America” will be broadcast live on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Biden’s inaugural committee said the spectacular march will feature “diverse, dynamic community performances in all 56 states and regions”. Jon Stewart and olympian Allyson Felix are among those taking part.
Celebrating America prime-time TV
Consecration night usually features at least one member – Obama and Michelle Obama were somehow at 10 – but there will not be a big party on Wednesday night. However, there will be a 90-minute show at the outset, which is expected to be broadcast on most channels, to mark Biden’s leadership.
Tom Hanks will host the exhibition, entitled Celebrating America, which will feature ideas from Biden and Harris and, according to the inaugural committee, “performances that represent the rich diversity and vast talent that America has. offering ”.
Featuring Ant Clemons, Jon Bon Jovi, John Legend, Eva Longoria, Demi Lovato, Bruce Springsteen and Kerry Washington.