Photos: The Inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Alan Taylor
January 20, 2021
35 Photos
In Focus

In Washington, D.C. today, Joe Biden took the oath of office shortly before noon, becoming the 46th president of the United States of America. In front of a small, socially distanced, and well-guarded audience on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn in. The singers Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and Garth Brooks performed; the poet Amanda Gorman gave a reading; and Biden delivered his inaugural address to the nation. Gathered below are scenes from a unique moment in American history.

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Joe Biden, beside his wife, Jill Biden, is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on January 20, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. #

Andrew Harnik / AFP / Getty

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American flags decorate the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol in the early morning ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, on January 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. #

Stephanie Keith / Getty

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President-elect Joe Biden and Jill Biden attend services along with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle with congressional leaders on the morning of January 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. #

Chip Somodevilla / Getty

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A man cleans the glass on the stage ahead of the inauguration of Joe Biden on January 20, 2021. #

Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

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Doug Emhoff, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Jill Biden, and President-elect Joe Biden wave as they arrive on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol for the inauguration on January 20, 2021. #

Joe Raedle / Getty

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Socially distant audience seating, seen during the inauguration of Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 #

Brendan McDermid / Reuters

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Former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. #

Jonathan Ernst / Reuters

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Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi arrives at the U.S. Capitol for the inauguration of Joe Biden. #

Melina Mara / AFP / Getty

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Former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura Bush, are seen before President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th U.S. president on January 20, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol. #

Saul Loeb / AFP / Getty

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U.S. Capitol Police line the steps of the Capitol ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. #

Melina Mara / The Washington Post via AP

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Vice President Mike Pence arrives at the inauguration of Joe Biden on January 20, 2021. #

Win McNamee / Getty

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Senator Bernie Sanders, a former presidential candidate, sits in the bleachers on Capitol Hill before Joe Biden is sworn in. #

Brendan Smialowski / AFP / Getty

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Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, arrive for the 59th presidential inauguration. #

Patrick Semansky / AP

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Law-enforcement personnel monitor from a balcony in Washington, D.C., on January 20, 2021. #

Susan Walsh / AFP / Getty

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President-elect Joe Biden and Jill Biden arrive to the inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021. #

Win McNamee / Getty

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Lady Gaga sings the national anthem as Vice President Mike Pence and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris look on. #

Brendan McDermid / Reuters

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Members of the National Guard salute while the national anthem is sung during the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on January 20, 2021. #

Stephanie Keith / Getty

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Kamala Harris is sworn in as U.S. vice president while her husband, Doug Emhoff, holds a Bible on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021. #

Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

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President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris bump fists during their inauguration ceremony. #

Brendan McDermid / Reuters

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A supporter carries figurines of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in Washington, D.C., on January 20, 2021. #

Nathan Howard / Getty

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Jennifer Lopez performs during the inauguration of Joe Biden on January 20, 2021. #

Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

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Captain Andrea Hall of the city of South Fulton, Georgia, delivers the Pledge of Allegiance during the 59th presidential inauguration. #

Erin Schaff / Reuters

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Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021. #

Jim Bourg / Reuters

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Joe Biden embraces his wife, Jill Biden; his son Hunter; and his daughter Ashley after being sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. #

Drew Angerer / Getty

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U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during the 59th presidential inauguration. #

Patrick Semansky / Reuters

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President Joe Biden delivers his inaugural address on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, D.C. #

Rob Carr / Getty

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Edwina Rose from California fights back tears as she hopes for the end of political division during the inauguration of Joe Biden on January 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. #

Nathan Howard / Getty

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Guests and spectators attend the 59th presidential inauguration, for President Joe Biden. #

Susan Walsh / AP

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First lady Jill Biden embraces President Joe Biden after he delivered his inaugural address. #

Drew Angerer / Getty

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Amanda Gorman, a National Youth Poet Laureate, recites her poem "The Hill We Climb" during the inauguration of Joe Biden on January 20, 2021. #

Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

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A law-enforcement officer wears a commemorative face mask during the inauguration of President Joe Biden. #

Mark Makela / Getty

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Jill Biden waves next to Ashley and Hunter Biden on January 20, 2021. #

Jonathan Ernst / Getty

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President Joe Biden leaves after his inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. #

Jonathan Ernst / Reuters

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Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, wave as former Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, depart the Capitol, following the inauguration of President Joe Biden on January 20, 2021. #

J. Scott Applewhite / AP

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President Joe Biden signs three documents, including an inauguration declaration, Cabinet nominations, and sub-Cabinet nominations in the President's Room at the U.S. Capitol after the inauguration ceremony, on January 20, 2021. #

Jim Lo Scalzo / AP

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