The inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President and Vice President on Wednesday took place amid a slew of firsts: Unprecedented security, in the aftermath of the storming of the Capitol on January 6; an audience without people, barring dignataries; the swearing in of the first African-American, Asian-American, and first Asian Vice President; and the inauguration ceremony of the oldest President in US history.
Capitol police officer Eugene Goodman, who bravely diverted a mob from the House chamber during the attack on January 6, escorted Kamala Harris to the Capitol on January 20, as the Vice-President elect arrived to take her oath of office—becoming America’s first Black, first South Asian, and first female, Vice President.
Justice Sonia delivered the oath of office to Harris. “I, Kamala Devi Harris, do solemnly swear, that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
In a purple dress, designed by two Black designers, Harris arrived for the historic moment. Former Presidents and their families were also present, including Barack and Michelle Obama, the Clintons and the Bushes. Missing, in a breach of tradition, was the outgoing president, Donald Trump, who boarded an Air Force One flight to Florida on Wednesday morning after leaving the White House for the final time.
Lady Gaga sang the national anthem. Unlike inauguration past, there were no large crowds of supporters, instead, a field of flags represented the people who could not be present due to the necessity of social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jennifer Lopez performed a rendition of Ray Charles ‘America, the Beautiful’.