By Anne Collier Phillips

Biden takes the oath. Photo credit: Alex Wong via Getty Images.

President Joe Biden was sworn in on Wednesday, January 20, making him the United States’ 46th President. Alongside him, former US Senator Kamala Harris (CA-D) became the nation’s first female, first Black, and first Asian-American Vice President. Aside from that making this inauguration exciting and different, COVID-19 forced some changes from how this ceremony has been traditionally held. 

Normally for this event, thousands of people gather on the National Mall to witness history in the making. The guest list for the inauguration was already limited due to COVID-19, and Biden’s supporters were discouraged from coming to DC due to the pandemic as well. After the attack on the Capitol building on January 6, security officials were concerned about suspected threats to Biden’s safety, and the Mall was then announced to be closed on the Inauguration. ABC News said, “The Presidential Inaugural Committee has urged the public to ‘refrain from any travel and participate in the inaugural activities from home.’’ The footprint of the swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol was “extremely limited,” with ‘vigorous health and safety protocols,’ and the parade that follows will be mostly virtual, according to the committee.” 

Photo credit: Carlos M.Vazquez II.

The National Park Service announced “that the Washington Monument will close until further notice as a measure to protect staff and visitors from the spread of COVID-19.” Many streets surrounding the area were also closed. Without those thousands of people on the National Mall, the Inauguration would feel quite empty. To fill that void, the National Mall was covered in nearly 200,000 flags representing all 50 states, Washington D.C, and the five U.S. territories: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. NPR stated, “According to a statement from President-elect Joe Biden’s inaugural committee, the display reflects a ‘commitment to an inclusive and safe event that everyone can enjoy from their home.’” It was part of the inaugural theme of “America United.” Along with the flags, the field was also illuminated with 56 “pillars of light” as they were first shown Monday, Jan. 18. The CEO of the Presidential inaugural committee, Dr. Tony Allen, said, “The inaugural activities will reflect our shared values and serve as a reminder that we are stronger together than we are apart, just as our motto ‘e pluribus unum’ reminds us—out of many, one.” 

Image credit: NDTV.

Many of the female political figures attending, such as Harris and Hillary Clinton, were seen wearing the color purple in support of the women’s suffrage movement. A letter from the National Womens Party in the United States claimed, “purple is the color of loyalty, constancy to purpose, unswerving steadfastness to a cause,… [It represents] the royal blood that flows in the veins of every suffragette, the instinct of freedom and dignity.” The former first ladies Michelle Obama and Clinton, as well as Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), were also seen wearing a hue of this symbolic color throughout the day.

The Washington Post, along with many other news outlets, claimed Biden “finished reciting his oath of office at 11:48 a.m. Wednesday.” Many people were therefore claiming former President Donald Trump served the shortest four year term. The quick start of Biden commencing the swearing-in early was completely legal, however, as “The 20th Amendment states that the ‘terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January.’” Biden’s term did not begin until 12:00 pm that day. 

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) opened the ceremony with a short speech addressing that in these events America should and will be coming together as one. Following her were speakers, including chairman of the joint congressional committee on inaugural ceremonies, Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Reverend Father Leo Jeremiah O’Donovan III. Pop music artist Lady Gaga performed the “The Star Spangled Banner,” and following her was South Fulton, Georgia Fire Captain Andrea M. Hall, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Harris then was sworn into office and took the oath delivered by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. “This Land is Your Land“ was then performed by pop music artist Jennifer Lopez.

Biden was sworn into office and took the oath delivered by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts. Following his swearing in Biden then delivered his first presidential speech. Country music artist Garth Brooks then sang “Amazing Grace,” followed by America’s first Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman, delivering her inaugural poem “The Hill We Climb.” To close the ceremony, Reverend Silvester Beamen, a friend of Biden’s for over 30 years, spoke. The attendees of the ceremony then filed out and the 59th Inaugural Ceremony was over.