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Invitations have been reduced by the pandemic and security has been tightened due to the Capitol Riot, but Joe Biden’s inauguration as the 46th President of the United States next week will still have a lot of pomp.
The National Mall will be closed to keep people away, so we’ll all be spared another comparison of crowd sizes, especially since Trump’s Twitter account has been disabled. The threat of violent protests by Trump supporters refusing the election and the presence of 20,000 National Guard troops will prevent anyone from forgetting Trump’s turbulent leadership, or lack thereof.
The FBI has warned of armed protests in all 50 state capitals and the TSA is preparing to restrict guns in checked baggage.
Here are others key things to know about the event:
What is different this year? A lot. Biden had planned to make a statement when arriving in Washington via Amtrak from Wilmington, Delaware, where the station is named after him – a testament to when he was a senator and used to make the round trip to be with its kids. It is not. He will stay the night before at Blair House opposite the White House instead of a hotel.
Normally, members of Congress are given a series of tickets to distribute at will. This year, they each get a +1. The public is encouraged to stay away and the National Mall will be closed. There will be no public parade from the Capitol to the White House, but rather a virtual parade bringing together people from across the country.
The inaugural balls – usually there are several and the new president makes a cameo appearance at several – will be replaced by a produced television show starring stars like Hanks with Justin Timberlake. It will look a lot like the inauguration of Covid.
What will Biden say? Pay close attention to how Biden refers to his predecessor, who will soon face an impeachment trial, during his inaugural address.
Who will be at the inauguration ceremony itself? All normal VIPs, incoming and outgoing Cabinet members, lawmakers and Supreme Court justices are likely to attend, as is incumbent Vice President Mike Pence. Trump won’t. It is rare, but not unheard of, for a president to skip the transfer of power.
Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga will add showbiz glitter to the ceremony, which will still take place on the Western Front of the U.S. Capitol, overlooking an empty mall, a show of defiance to those who stormed the Capitol in January. 6, maybe. But also a reminder that this is a very singular start for a new administration. Read more.
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