Today is President Donald Trump’s final day in office. At 12 p.m. eastern time President-elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated and will be leading the free world.
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were elected as President and Vice President of the United States in November 2020. Current President Donald Trump attempted to dispute these results claiming widespread voter fraud was involved. After meticulous investigation, no evidence of fraud was discovered.
After four years of fracturing, U.S. citizens, largely supporting Trump’s conspiracy of voter fraud, stormed the United States Capitol. In one final, infamous attempt to retain power, President Trump encouraged an insurrection on the nations house.
Following four years of tweeting inflammatory comments, encouraging racial devision and his controversial positions, over half of the nation voted Trump out of office. However, in disbelief, Trump refuted this outcome. It seems his legacy will always be recorded as one of encouraging insurrection on the very country he swore to make great again.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke at the Senate’s return from recess on Tuesday. In his remarks, he said the mob that attacked the US Capitol on January 6 was “fed lies” and “provoked by the president and other powerful people.” The Senate has not confirmed a date for its upcoming impeachment trial for President Donald Trump. The House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump for a second time on January 13.
A map of Washington, DC closures
As a result, thousands of troops have been deployed across the country, put in place to protect the nations capitols –– both state and national. In an undoubtably historic transition of power, barricades have been stationed in Washington, DC to protect the nation from an attack from its own citizens.
Inauguration timeline
10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Our White House: An Inaugural Celebration for Young Americans
The inaugural committee will “host a first-ever curated livestream for young Americans before and during the Inaugural Ceremonies.”
The livestream will be hosted by entertainer and advocate Keke Palmer, feature appearances from Dr. Jill Biden, include segments about presidential pets, excerpts of student voices from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs “We the Young People” programming, and more.
10:30 a.m.: Biden, Harris and their spouses will arrive at U.S. Capitol for the inauguration.
11:15 a.m., inauguration ceremony begins: At the swearing-in, the Rev. Leo O’Donovan, a former Georgetown University president, will give the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Andrea Hall, a firefighter from Georgia.
Lady Gaga, who campaigned with and performed for Biden during the election, will perform the National Anthem.
1:40 p.m.: After the official swearing-in ceremony, Biden, the incoming First Lady, Harris, and the incoming Second Gentleman will participate in a Pass in Review on the East Front of the Capitol with members of the military.
2:25 p.m., Arlington National Cemetery, Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: Biden and Harris, and their spouses, will then visit Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, as well as former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton, will also attend the ceremony at Arlington.
3:15 p.m.: Biden will then receive a presidential escort from 15th Street to the White House.
The escort will include representatives of every branch of the military, including the U.S. Army Band, a Joint Service Honor Guard, and the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard and Fife and Drum Corps from the 3rd U.S. Infantry “The Old Guard.”
Virtual Parade Across America: A “virtual parade” will then occur, which will be televised and feature performances in communities across the country.
The parade will celebrate America’s heroes, highlight Americans from all walks of life in different states and regions, and reflect the country’s diversity, heritage and resilience, inaugural planners said.
5:15 p.m.: Biden will sign executive orders and “other presidential actions” in the Oval Office.
8:30 PM, “Celebrating America” Primetime Special: The 90-minute live special will feature remarks from Biden and Harris, as well as tributes to COVID-19 first responders.
This event will replace the usual inaugural balls, which were scrapped this year due to COVID-19 concerns.
After being sworn into office, incoming President Joe Biden plans to sign dozens of executive orders and send sweeping bills to Congress in his first days in office, aiming to roll back some of Trump’s signature policies while taking action to ramp up the government’s response to the pandemic.
The outgoing vice president Mike Pence will attend President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20, according to a notice released by his office on Tuesday. Pence isn’t scheduled to be present for the farewell to President Trump at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday morning.
On early Wednesday, Trump issued 73 pardons and 70 commutations, including Steve Bannon, Lil Wayne, Kodak Black and Kwame Kilpatrick. However, the list issued by the White House does not include the outgoing president or any of his family members, despite earlier reports. Rapper Lil Wayne pleaded guilty in federal court in 2020 to possession of a loaded handgun and Steve Bannon was charged last year with defrauding donors of more than a million dollars.
Among those to potentially be included on Trump’s list is rapper Lil Wayne, who pleaded guilty in federal court in 2020 to possession of a loaded handgun, and Steve Bannon, who was charged last year with defrauding donors of more than a million dollars.
