Jason Andrew, The New York TimesFlags representing people unable to attend the presidential inauguration of Joe Biden on the National Mall in Washington on Wednesday morning, Jan. 20, 2021.
John Minchillo, The Associated PressNational Guards walk to the Capitol in Washington, D.C., as events get underway for President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Manuel Balce Ceneta, The Associated PressPresident Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Andrew Harnik, The Associated PressMarine One carrying President Donald Trump flies near the Washington Monument as he leaves the White House ahead of the 59th Presidential Inauguration for President-elect Joe Biden at the Capitol in Washington, D.,C., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Lynne Sladky, The Associated PressSupporters of former President Donald Trump wave as they wait for the motorcade on the road to Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Palm Beach estate, in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. President Trump declined to attend the inauguration of his successor, President Joe Biden.
Evan Vucci, The Associated PressPresident-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle during Inauguration Day ceremonies in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Jacquelyn Martin, The Associated PressChristine Alverno and her daughter Julia Crump, of Troy, Mich., try to get a glimpse of President-elect Joe Biden as he leaves an early morning church service, in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Jonathan Ernst, Pool via APSen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., center, waits before President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Melina Mara, The Washington Post via APU.S. Capitol Police line the steps of the U.S. Capitol ahead of President-elect Joe BidenÕs inauguration, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)
David Tulis, AFP via Getty ImagesPresident-elect Joe Biden, right, wife Jill Biden, center right, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, center left, and husband Douglas Emhoff, left, arrive for the 59th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2021.
Susan Walsh, Pool, The Associated PressGuests and spectators attend the 59th Presidential Inauguration for President Joe Biden at the Capitol in Washington, D.,C., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Jonathan Ernst, AFP via Getty ImagesSenator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. wears mittens as he attends the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Jim Lo Scalzo, Pool via APSenate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, right, and his wife, former Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, arrive at the East Front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Patrick Semansky, Pool, The Associated PressVice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen, arrive for the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., for President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Win McNamee, Associated PressFormer President Bill Clinton arrives with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Jonathan Ernst, Pool via APFormer President Bill Clinton gestures as he attends President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Caroline Brehman, Pool via APFrom left: former President George W. Bush, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama arrive to the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., for the Inauguration of Joe Biden in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Chang W. Lee, The New York TimesVice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff arrive for her inauguration at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Carolyn Kaster, The Associated PressVice President-elect Kamala Harris hugs her husband Doug Emhoff as they arrive for the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Win McNamee, Getty ImagesPresident-elect Joe Biden and Jill Biden arrive to Biden's inauguration on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2021. During today's inauguration ceremony Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States.
Win McNamee, Getty ImagesPresident-elect Joe Biden and Jill Biden arrive to Biden's inauguration on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2021.
Andrew Harnik, Pool, The Associated PressVice President-elect Kamala Harris, right, applauds as President-elect Joe Biden arrives for the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Patrick Semansky, Pool, The Associated PressRev. Silvester Beaman gives the benediction during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Greg Nash, Pool via APLady Gaga performs during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Drew Angerer, Getty ImagesKamala Harris is sworn as Vice President by U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor as Harris' husband Doug Emhoff looks on at the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2021. During today's inauguration ceremony Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States.
Caroline Brehman, Pool via APKamala Harris is sworn in as vice president by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor as her husband Doug Emhoff holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Jonathan Ernst, Pool via APVice President Kamala Harris hugs her husband Doug Emhoff after being sworn-in, as President Joe Biden applauds during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Aijaz Rahi, The Associated PressVillagers clap to celebrate after Vice President Kamala Harris was sworn in as they watch the live telecast of the inauguration ceremony, in Thulasendrapuram, the hometown of Harris' maternal grandfather, south of Chennai, Tamil Nadu state, India, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. Residents of a tiny Indian village surrounded by rice paddies flocked to a Hindu temple, setting off firecrackers and praying and as they watched Kamala Harris, who has strong roots to the village, take her oath of office and become the vice president on Wednesday.
Jonathan Ernst, Pool Photo via APVice President Kamala Harris bumps fists with President-elect Joe Biden after she was sworn in during the inauguration, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
Patrick Semansky, Pool, The Associated PressSen. Amy Klobucher, D-Minn., speaks during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Alex Wong, Getty ImagesJennifer Lopez sings during the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2021. During today's inauguration ceremony Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States.
Andrew Harnik, The Associated PressPresident-elect Joe Biden, with his wife Jill, steps out to the portico to be sworn in as 46th president of the United States during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Alex Wong, Getty ImagesJoe Biden is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2021.
Andrew Harnik, The New York TimesFrom left, President Joe Biden is joined by his wife, Jill Biden; daughter Ashley Biden; and son Hunter Biden as he takes the oath of office at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Rob Carr, Getty ImagesPresident Joe Biden hugs Jill Biden and daughter Ashley Biden after being sworn in as President on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2021.
Eric Gay, The Associated PressSylvia Luna, left, and her sister, Norma Luna, pray as watch the 59th U.S. Presidential Inauguration ceremony via a cell phone, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Austin, Texas.
Rob Carr, Getty ImagesGarth Brooks performs at the inauguration of President Joe Biden on the West Front of the Capitol on Jan. 20, 2021.
Chang W. Lee, The New York TimesPresident Joe Biden delivers his inaugural address at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Alex Wong, Getty ImagesPresident Joe Biden delivers his inaugural address on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2021.
Patrick Semansky, Pool, The Associated PressPresident Joe Biden speaks during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Caroline Brehman, Pool via APPresident Joe Biden looks back towards Vice President Kamala Harris as he delivers his inaugural address after he was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Alex Wong, Getty ImagesYouth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman speaks at the inauguration of President Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C, on Jan. 20, 2021.
Kenny Holston, The New York TimesA flag flies in support of President-elect Joe Biden at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington on Inauguration Day, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Doug Mills, The New York TimesPresident Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk in front of the White House in Washington during the Presidential Escort, part of Inauguration Day ceremonies on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Carolyn Kaster, The Associated PressVice President Kamala Harris walks during the Presidential Escort, part of Inauguration Day ceremonies Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Jose Luis Magana, The Associated PressVice President Kamala Harris, and her husband Doug Emhoff, and family, walk near the White House during a Presidential Escort to the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Doug Mills, The New York TimesPresident Joe Biden talks with Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser as he and and First Lady Jill Biden walk along Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House during Inaugural celebrations, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 202, after being sworn in as the 46th vice president of the United States.
Alex Brandon, Pool, The Associated PressPresident Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk up the stairs as they arrive at the North Portico of the White House on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Evan Vucci, The Associated PressPresident Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive at the North Portico of the White House, Wednesday on Jan. 20, 2021.
Jim Watson, AFP via Getty ImagesPresident Joe Biden sits in the Oval Office at the White House after being sworn in at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2021.
Jason Andrew, The New York Times
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Flags representing people unable to attend the presidential inauguration of Joe Biden on the National Mall in Washington on Wednesday morning, Jan. 20, 2021.
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By The Associated Press | The Associated Press and Wire Reports | Wire Reports
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
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WASHINGTON — Joe Biden became the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday, declaring that “democracy has prevailed” as he took the helm of a deeply divided nation and inherited a confluence of crises arguably greater than any faced by his predecessors.
Biden’s inauguration came at a time of national tumult and uncertainty, a ceremony of resilience as the hallowed American democratic rite unfurled at a U.S. Capitol battered by an insurrectionist siege just two weeks ago. The chilly Washington morning was dotted with snow flurries, but the sun emerged just before Biden took the oath of office, the quadrennial ceremony persevering even though it was encircled by security forces evocative of a war zone and devoid of crowds because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded. We’ve learned again that democracy is precious and democracy is fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed,” Biden said. “This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day in history and hope, of renewal and resolve.”
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