Biden assembles pandemic-hindered inauguration committee

Maju Varghese, the Biden campaign’s chief operating officer, will be the inauguration committee’s executive director ahead of the swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 20. Erin Wilson, the campaign’s political director, and Nevada state Sen. Yvanna Cancela will be deputy executive directors.

“This year’s inauguration will look different amid the pandemic, but we will honor the American inaugural traditions and engage Americans across the country while keeping everybody healthy and safe,” Allen wrote in a statement.

Public health measures will likely hinder traditional festivities, including a mass gathering on the National Mall to see the incoming president take the oath of office, typically administered by the Supreme Court’s chief justice.

Allen’s sentiment was echoed by the next White House chief of staff, Ron Klain. Klain, former President Barack Obama’s Ebola czar, told ABC last week that his team had started talking with congressional leadership regarding logistics.

“We ran a very effective and I think engaging Democratic convention this year in August in a way that was safe for the people to participate and watch it, in a way that communicates with the American people,” he said. “I think we’ll have some mix of those techniques, some mix of, you know, scaled-down versions of the existing traditions.”

The formalities are usually also followed by a series of balls. Biden’s ability to take part in the first couple’s first dance may be impeded by hairline fractures in his right foot. He twisted his ankle while playing with one of his German shepherds, Major, and is expected to wear a walking boot for several weeks.