Joe Biden, Kamala Harris arrive for historic inauguration at US Capitol

US Presidentelect Joe Biden and Vice Presidentelect Kamala Harris on Wednesday arrived for the historic inauguration at the West Front of the CapitolBiden 78 will take the oath of office as the 46th President of the United States while Harris 56 will be sworn in as the 49th US Vice PresidentOver 25000 National Guard troops are guarding the venue and nearby areas to ensure that the nations transfer of power can take place peacefullyBiden who is set to be the oldest president in American history will succeed President Donald Trump 74 who has decided not to attend the swearingin ceremony Harris will take over the office of the US Vice President from 61yearold Mike PenceThe Presidentelect is wearing a navy suit and a navy overcoat both designed by American designer Ralph Lauren His wife Dr Jill Biden is wearing an ocean blue wool tweed coat and dress by emerging American designer Alexandra OrsquoNeil of MarkarianHarris the daughter of an Indian immigrant from Chennai will create history by becoming the firstever woman Vice President of the United States She would also be the first female first Black and first South Asian American vice presidentHer husband Douglas Emhoff 56 will be the first lsquoSecond Gentlemanrsquo the first male spouse of a vice president in the USChief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath of office to Biden just after the clock strikes 12 local time at the West Front of the Capitol the traditional location for presidential inaugural ceremoniesThe inauguration which is being held in the midst of the COVID19 pandemic will see no large gatherings as the Presidential Inaugural Committee and local law enforcement officials have asked the public not to travel to Washington DC for the eventThe event is being held under the unprecedented security umbrella by elite security personnel who have transformed the capital into a garrison city mainly because of the threat of more violent protests by the supporters of TrumpTrump is the first outgoing president of the US to miss his successorrsquos inauguration since Andrew Johnson who was impeached in 1869 Trump however extended best wishes to the new administration in a farewell video address on TuesdayTrump has not only refused to concede the elections for more than two months but also did not invite his successor to the White House as is the customBiden has termed Trumprsquos decision to skip the swearingin ceremony as ldquoone of the few things he and I ever agreed onrdquoHe in the past has said that tackling the COVID19 pandemic economic crisis systemic racism and climate change will be the top priorities for the incoming administration as they gear up for building back everything better than everBiden will take the oath on his 127yearold family Bible which will be held by his wife Jill Biden 69He will deliver his first presidential address to the country shortly after taking the oath The historic speech with the theme of unity and healing has been prepared by his IndianAmerican speech writer Vinay ReddyHarris will be sworn in as Vice President of the United States by Justice Sonia Sotomayor the first Latina member of the Supreme CourtHarris will be sworn in on two Bibles one that belonged to a close family friend named Regina Shelton and another that belonged to Thurgood Marshall the countrys first African American Supreme Court justiceThe ceremony is likely to be attended by former presidents Barack Obama George W Bush and Bill Clinton Former first ladies Michelle Obama Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton are also set to attend the eventAfter the swearingin ceremony Biden and Harris will attend a traditional Pass in Review with members of the military on the East Front of the Capitol signifying the peaceful transfer of power to a new commanderinchiefBiden Harris and their spouses will visit Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia where they will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown SoldierAfter the wreath ceremony they will head to the White House where they will get a presidential escort That will kick off the virtual Parade Across America featuring performances from all 56 states and territoriesBiden enters the White House with the top challenge to lift the country from the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic that has killed over 400000 Americans and thrown millions into economic distress Revival of the economy which has been badly bruised by the pandemic is another challenge that he facesMeanwhile the American capital has been virtually turned into a garrison city amidst multiple reports of threats and more armed violence by proTrump supporters to disrupt the eventsThe area in and around Capitol Hill a large part of Pennsylvania Avenue and the White House has been made out of bounds for the general public with eightfeet high iron barricades being erectedIn addition to converting downtown Washington DC into a fortress security in and around 50 State Capitols has also been put on high alert to ensure a peaceful transition of powerUS defence officials say they are also worried about an insider attack or other threat from service members involved in securing Bidens inauguration prompting the FBI to vet all of the 25000 National Guard troops deployed for the eventThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever