On January 20, now President Joseph Biden was sworn into office along with Kamala Harris, who is the first Asian-American, African-American, and female Vice President of the United States.  Surrounded by family, close friends, members of government – both present and past – including previous presidents George Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama, the two heads of government were sworn into office. 

The Inauguration that took place on Wednesday was drastically different to previous Inaugurations due to not only the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions but as a result of the violence that took place at Capitol Hill two weeks prior. With heightened security measures being put into place, including over 250,000 members of the National Guard, the safety of people present at the inauguration was a top concern.

Along with  another concern was the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has taken the lives of over 400,000 Americans. The Biden Inauguration committee implemented that no citizens would be present at the event unless being a member of government that was explicitly allowed. This list included popular politicians and figures including Garth Brooks, Hillary Clinton, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, former Vice President Mike Pence, and Bernie Sanders. 

The presence of those who were unable to attend was represented by 200,000 American flags that laid across the lawn in front of the Inauguration. President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and others also paid tribute to those lost to the COVID-19 virus the night prior to the Inauguration with various posts being shared across social media platforms.

Around noon, Joe Biden was officially sworn in as the 46th President of the United States with Kamala Harris being sworn in as Vice President minutes prior. The speeches following highlighted a main point of the Biden-Harris campaign: unity. Biden made multiple references to this, including saying that Americans “must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue.”

The Inauguration was an internet sensation on various social platforms, many praising Michelle Obama and Amanda Gorman for their stylish appearances and strong worded poems. Bernie Sanders, who many considered to have, “stolen the show” with the internet making various memes of the senator bundled up in his winter gear, safely social distancing away from others at the event.

Within the first day in office, the Biden administration made multiple steps towards their new politces, including the 100 Day Mask Challenge, revoking the Keystone XL pipeline permit, rejoining the Paris Climate accord, reversing a travel ban from Muslim and African countries, and rejoining the World Health Organization.