WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Joe Biden arrived at the US Capitol on Wednesday morning for his presidential inauguration. Democrat Biden at 78 will become the oldest US president in history.
With only a small number of attendees present, Biden will take the oath of office before U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts just after noon (1700 GMT), placing his hand on an heirloom Bible that has been in the Biden family for more than a century.
The ceremony in Washington has been largely stripped of celebrations due to the pandemic and security concerns following the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol.
Trump left the White House with his wife Melania just after 8 a.m. (1300 GMT) and went by helicopter to a sendoff event at Joint Air Force Base Andrews, where he promised supporters “we’ll be back in some form” and praised his administration’s successes before flying off to Florida.
The ceremony will unfold in front of a heavily guarded US Capitol.
Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, as well as their spouses, also arrived at the Capitol. Pence and other top Republicans were on hand as well.
