Kamala Harris sworn in as Vice President by Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, according to an official of President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team – making Wednesday’s inauguration even more historic.

Harris will be the first woman, the first black American and the first South Asian American vice-president. Sotomayor is the first judge of the Latina Supreme Court.

The two women are also former prosecutors.

News that Harris will be sworn in on January 20 was first reported by ABC News.

Biden – who was sworn in by Sotomayor for his second term as vice president – chose the theme “America United” for the inauguration and will participate in several events alongside former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

“In a time of unprecedented crisis and deep divisions, America United reflects the start of a new national journey that restores the soul of America, brings the country closer together and paves the way for a brighter future,” said the Biden’s inaugural committee in a statement. this week.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Biden and Harris along with their spouses will host a socially distant Pass in Review, a military ritual in which the newly sworn-in president reviews military readiness.

They will then lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington.

It was announced Thursday that Lady Gaga will perform the national anthem at the ceremony and Jennifer Lopez will give a musical performance on the Western Front of the U.S. Capitol.

Wednesday’s other performances will include Justin Timberlake, Jon Bon Jovi, Demi Lovato, Bruce Springsteen and Ant Clemons. Actor Tom Hanks will host a 90-minute prime-time special.

The inauguration is expected to take place exactly two weeks after a violent crowd of supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol on January 6. Five people died, including a Capitol police officer.

Federal authorities made dozens of arrests related to the attack.

Trump, who cheered on the crowd, will not attend the opening, but Vice President Mike Pence is expected to attend.

Planning continued over the weekend for a potential Trump sending-off ceremony to Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, full of pomp and circumstance as Trump attempts to step down by looking like a statesman rather than to a defeated, twice deposed president and to a mandate.

The talks include recreating the traditional pageantry of an official visit by a head of state, including a color guard, a military band, a red carpet and even a 21 gun salute, according to one. person involved in the planning.

Plans are still tentative and could change by Wednesday. The role the military will ultimately play in the festivities remains uncertain. But Trump has made it clear to his associates that he wants a party show full of fanfare. There have also been discussions about inviting Trump supporters to attend the ceremony.