President-elect Joe Biden’s inaugural committee on Tuesday released tentative details for his swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 20, warning supporters not to take part as COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths rise across the country.
Biden, who will be the oldest commander in chief to take the oath of office, will pledge his loyalty to the Constitution as an incoming president on the steps of the Capitol, where he’ll give his inaugural address. But the rest of his festivities will diverge from past events.
“The ceremony’s footprint will be extremely limited, and the parade that follows will be reimagined. The PIC is urging the public to refrain from any travel and participate in the inaugural activities from home,” his committee said in a statement.
The traditional inauguration parade is anticipated to be mostly virtual, similar to the summer’s Democratic National Convention. Stephanie Cutter and Ricky Kirshner are joining the team as executive producers, and Rod O’Connor is joining as a senior adviser. All are reprising their roles from the nominating convention.
The panel also added Dr. David Kessler, a former Food and Drug Administration commissioner, to its ranks as a public health expert. Other health professionals are expected to be hired.
President Trump’s involvement is still uncertain. Biden told CNN this month that the president should participate “for the country.”
