Joe Biden Inaugurated As 46th US President

Joe Biden has sworn the oath of office as he officially became the 46th President of the United States.

The 78-year-old Democrat had the presidential power transferred to him during a ceremony in Washington DC, becoming the oldest inaugurated US president.

The ceremony was not attended by his presidential predecessor Donald Trump, who lost the election in November.

Since the election, Mr Trump, who is awaiting his second impeachment trial, has maintained the unfounded claim that his Democratic counterpart’s win was illegitimate.

The outgoing president was not the only one to miss the ceremony.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, members of the public were asked to stay at home in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus, which has already claimed more than 400,000 lives in the country.

Twenty-five thousand National Guard troops, as well as the FBI and different police departments, are providing security on the streets of the capital city.

At least two-and-a-half times the usual number of National Guardsmen and women have been deployed, compared to previous inaugurals.

The inauguration and heightened security come two weeks after Mr Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to prevent the certification of Mr Biden's victory.

How did the day unfold?

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday morning.

Mr Biden was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts and Ms Harris was sworn in by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina to serve on the US Supreme Court.

Ms Harris has now officially become the first woman to become Vice President, as well as the first black person and first person of South Asian descent to take on the role.

Mr Bidenthen made a speech which lasted 21 minutes.

He said "this is America’s day" and "democracy’s day" as he delivered his first speech as President of the United States.

"Democracy has prevailed," the new US President said.

He also called on the nation to unify after Donald Trump’s presidency.

"This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge and unity is the path forward."

He acknowledged the "deep" and "real" forces that divide the country.

"Don’t tell me things can’t change," Mr Biden said pointing at Vice-President Harris.

Mr Biden also said: "We will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again, not to meet yesterday’s challenges but today’s and tomorrow’s challenges."

President Biden then oversaw a Pass In Review, which is a military tradition that honours the peaceful transfer of power to a new Commander in Chief.

Accompanied by both their spouses and three former presidents (Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama), the President and Vice President laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Finally, Mr Biden joined a small inaugural parade and officially moved into the White House.

Cover image: Picture: PA.