2021 inauguration of Joe Biden

2021 inauguration of Joe Biden. The inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States marked a significant event in American history, following the 2020 United States presidential election in which Biden defeated incumbent President Donald Trump. This event was attended by various dignitaries, including former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, as well as Vice President Mike Pence. The ceremony was also witnessed by Members of Congress, such as Nancy Pelosi, Mitch McConnell, and Chuck Schumer.

Background

The 2020 United States presidential election was a highly contested event, with Joe Biden ultimately emerging as the winner, defeating Donald Trump in the Electoral College. The United States Constitution mandates that the President of the United States be inaugurated on January 20, marking the beginning of a new presidential term. As the COVID-19 pandemic continued to affect the United States, the inauguration ceremony was planned with strict COVID-19 protocols in place, including social distancing and mask-wearing requirements, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. The event was also impacted by the January 6 United States Capitol attack, which led to increased security measures being implemented, including the deployment of the National Guard and the FBI.

Inauguration ceremony

The inauguration ceremony took place on the West Front of the United States Capitol, with Chief Justice John Roberts administering the oath of office to Joe Biden. The ceremony featured performances by Lady Gaga, who sang the national anthem, and Jennifer Lopez, who performed a medley of patriotic songs, including This Land is Your Land and America the Beautiful. The event was also attended by Supreme Court justices, including Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Stephen Breyer, as well as other notable figures, such as Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Cory Booker. The ceremony was broadcast live on various networks, including CNN, NBC, ABC, and CBS, and was also streamed online through platforms like YouTube and Facebook.

Security and attendance

The inauguration ceremony had a significantly reduced attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the January 6 United States Capitol attack. The event was attended by approximately 1,000 guests, including Members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, and other dignitaries, such as Anthony Fauci, Deborah Birx, and Robert Redfield. The Secret Service and the Capitol Police were responsible for ensuring the security of the event, with the assistance of the FBI and the National Guard. The Washington, D.C. area was also under a high level of security, with road closures and checkpoints in place, as well as the deployment of drones and helicopters for surveillance, under the coordination of the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Speech and festivities

In his inaugural address, Joe Biden emphasized the need for American unity and called for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis it had caused, citing the work of experts like Anthony Fauci and Jerome Powell. He also highlighted the importance of addressing climate change, as emphasized by organizations like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The ceremony was followed by a pass in review of the armed forces, as well as a virtual parade featuring performances from across the United States, including the New York City Ballet, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and the National Symphony Orchestra. The festivities continued with a Celebrating America primetime special, hosted by Tom Hanks and featuring performances by Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, and Katy Perry, as well as appearances by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Demi Lovato, and Justin Timberlake.

International reactions

The inauguration of Joe Biden was widely covered by international media, with leaders from around the world offering congratulations and messages of support, including Justin Trudeau, Boris Johnson, Angela Merkel, and Emmanuel Macron. The European Union and the United Nations also issued statements welcoming the new presidential administration and expressing hope for renewed cooperation on issues like climate change and global health, as discussed at the World Health Assembly and the Conference of the Parties (COP). The Chinese Communist Party and the Russian government also responded to the inauguration, with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin offering congratulations and calling for improved relations with the United States, as facilitated by organizations like the G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The inauguration was also closely watched by other world leaders, including Narendra Modi, Joko Widodo, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who were interested in the potential implications for international relations and global governance, as discussed at the G7 and the BRICS.