After the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol attack over the 2020 election’s results, President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th president on Wednesday at noon.
The constitutionally dictated tradition of when a new president takes their oath of office hasn’t changed. But much of Wednesday’s event has amid heightened security concerns after this month’s violence and the coronavirus pandemic.
Democrats launched five days of festivities over the weekend with a virtual welcome event and concert, as inaugural organizers and Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser continue to urge Biden supporters to stay home.
But with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris resigning her Senate seat representing California, Democratic celebrations begin in earnest on Monday. Here’s a brief run-down of what to expect in the coming days:
Monday, Jan. 18
Under the banner of their “America United” inaugural theme, Biden and Harris will take part in a “United We Serve” national day of service to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The commemoration will be capped with an hourlong digital event honoring King’s legacy starting at 8 p.m. EST.
Tuesday, Jan. 19
Incoming first lady Jill Biden will introduce a Discovery, Inc. and Discovery Education collaboration for children and young adults about inaugurals called “I Do Solemnly Swear: The U.S. Presidential Inauguration” at 12 p.m. EST.
And at 5.30 p.m. EST, Biden’s inaugural committee will turn on an illuminated COVID-19 tribute around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The display complements a “Field of Flags” exhibit in the shape of the country also on the National Mall. The flags are supposed to symbolize the people who are unable to travel to D.C. for Biden’s inauguration.
Wednesday, Jan. 20
Following in the footsteps of Ronald Reagan, Biden and Harris will be sworn in on the west front of the U.S. Capitol Building at noon before a small crowd of family, lawmakers, and press.
Only a limited number of people will be permitted inside a fortified perimeter erected around the White House and Congress under Secret Service-led security measures. While Vice President Mike Pence will be there, outgoing President Trump will not. He’s expected to fly out of D.C. Wednesday morning.
Incoming White House communications director Kate Bedingfield said Sunday it was the transition’s “expectation” for the platform ceremony to take place as planned. The team has already scrapped the idea for Biden to journey to D.C. via Amtrak because of security concerns after the Jan. 6 siege.
“I think that will send an incredibly important visual image to the world about the resilience of American democracy,” she said of the west front location.
After taking his oath, Biden will deliver his inaugural address. His staff has mostly stayed mum regarding its contents, though future White House chief of staff Ron Klain let slip Biden has been drafting it throughout transition and that it will detail how he intends to unify the nation.
Lady Gaga will perform the national anthem, Amanda Gorman, the first national youth poet laureate, will read a poem, and Jennifer Lopez will sing a song. Biden’s transition told Politico it would not be her hit “Booty.”
After his speech, perhaps the most important of his life, Biden will move to the Capitol’s east front for a military pass in review convened by the commander of the National Capital Region’s Joint Task Force. A pass in review is a military custom essentially assessing troop readiness.
Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton will then join Biden for a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Former President Jimmy Carter, 96, won’t attend. He only spoke at the summer’s Democratic convention via an audio recording.
After that, in lieu of a parade, Biden will receive a short presidential escort from 15th Street NW to the White House involving every military branch, as well as a Joint Service Honor Guard and the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard. The U.S. Army Band and Fife and Drum Corps from the 3rd U.S. Infantry’s “The Old Guard” will play tunes along the route. There will also be an online “parade” from 3:15 p.m. EST.
And replacing a flurry of inaugural balls, Biden and Harris will give remarks during a 90-minute “Celebrating America” prime-time TV special. The program, hosted by actor Tom Hanks, will kick off at 8 p.m. EST.
