President-elect Joe Biden.Photo: JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty
This week’s inauguration of President-electJoe Bidenwill be like no other.
While Biden is expected to follow the traditional swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, in-person ceremonies have been scaled back and are heavily virtual due tonovel coronavirusprotections coupled with massive post-insurrection security measures to ward against possible violence in Washington, D.C.
There will be a mix of other events this week, including a memorial on Tuesday for the victims of the coronavirus pandemic.
Here’s what else you need to know about the inauguration of the 46th president of the United States.
What events are leading up to Wednesday?
Bidenspent some of the day volunteeringat a Philadelphia hunger relief organization while Vice President-electKamala Harrisand her husband, Doug Emhoff, volunteered in D.C.
Organizers encouraged others to volunteer for Monday and beyond atbideninaugural.org/day-of-service.
Joe Biden.Chip Somodevilla/Getty
Kamala Harris and husband Doug Emhoff.Jacquelyn Martin/AP/Shutterstock
How and when will Joe Biden arrive?
Plans for Biden to take an Amtrak from his home in Wilmington, Delaware, to D.C. were scrapped earlier this week in part due to heightened security concerns,according to CNN, which first reported the news. (A Biden inaugural spokesman said in response only that his travel plans had never been made public.)
It is not clear how he will now arrive in D.C.,reports CBS News.
Biden has, however, accepted an invitation to stay at the historic Blair House, across the street from the White House, the night before the inauguration. But it’s unclear whether that’s where he will be sleeping,according toThe Washington Post.
What are some of the other changes due to security?
Amid concerns about another incident, in the wake of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, Biden’s inauguration rehearsal, originally set for Sunday, was postponed to Monday,Politicoreported Thursday night.
The move came after Biden and his team received a briefing last Wednesday about threats from the FBI, the Secret Service and national security officials, according toPolitico.
On Thursday, FBI Director Christopher Wray said that the bureau was tracking an"extensive amount of concerning online chatter,“including calls for armed protests leading up to the inauguration.
“When we talk about potential threats, we have to say about that we are seeing an extensive amount of concerning online chatter about a number of events surrounding the inauguration,” Wray said in his first briefing since the rioting at the Capitol, where five people died.
The National Mall will be closed and National Guard troops will be in place to keep Biden safe and thwart a possible repeat of the violence.
Jeenah Moon - Pool/Getty
How many will be at the inauguration?
A familiar theme of inaugurations past — crowd size — will be much downplayed this year, given the unusual circumstances.
The number of guests at the inauguration has been pared way back due to the pandemic and is expected to hover around 1,000, including Congress. In past years the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies wouldtraditionally offer 200,000 ticketsfor the ceremonies at the Capitol and ticket bundles for members of Congress to give to constituents. This year tickets are limited to each member of Congress getting two, for themselves and a guest, according to the JCCIC.
While no members of the public are expected to attend, commemorative ticket bundles and program packets will be made available to congressional offices for constituents following the ceremonies.
Who will be there?
Former PresidentsBarack Obamaand Bill Clintonwill be joining former President George W. Bushat the inauguration as well as former First LadiesMichelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Former President Jimmy Carter, 96, and former first lady Rosalyn Carter, 93,have announcedthey willnot be attendingthe inauguration. Prior to this year, President Carter had attended every inauguration since being sworn-in himself in 1977.
Others likely to attend the inauguration include Supreme Court justices and outgoing Vice President Mike Pence.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who swore-in Biden as vice president in 2013, will swear in Harris,according to the Associated Press.
The court’s chief justice, John Roberts Jr., will then swear in Biden as is customary for the president. Harris will take her oath shortly before noon and Biden will follow,NPR reports: Noon is the deadline in the Constitution when Trump’s term ends.
Lady Gagawill be singing the National Anthem andJennifer Lopezis presenting a “musical performance” at the ceremony, which will take place at its traditional spot on the west front of the Capitol, the Biden-Harris inaugural committeeannounced Thursday.
What about Trump?
Donald Trump won’t be there,the first outgoing president in 152 yearsto refuse to attend his successor’s inauguration.
He isexpected to leave D.C. on Wednesday morningand fly to his Palm Beach resort, Mar-a-Lago, before Biden is sworn in.
What happens after the swearing in?
Biden, Harris and their spouses will conduct a traditional review of military troops called a Pass in Review, meant to reflect the peaceful transfer of power, the Presidential Inaugural Committee said in a statement.
Organizers also announced that instead of the traditional in-person inaugural parade, it is producing a televised “virtual parade across America” that will feature “diverse, dynamic performances in communities across the country.”
Biden will receive an in-person presidential escort from 15th Street to the White House, which will feature every branch of the military.
Rod Lamkey-Pool/Getty
How about those glitzy nighttime festivities?
The program — which will air live on ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, MSNBC as well as stream online across multiple platforms — will include remarks from Biden and Harris.
The special will also “celebrate American heroes who are helping their fellow Americans” through the coronavirus crisis, “including frontline workers, health care workers, teachers, citizens giving back, and those who are breaking barriers,” the Presidential Inaugural Committee said.
The inauguration special “Celebrating America” airs Wednesday (8:30 p.m. ET) on ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC and NBC as well as online via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and others.
source: people.com
