Biden and Harris break barriers, create history | US Inauguration Day 2021 -- as it happened

Kamala Harris enters WHouse for first time as vice-president

Kamala Harris just entered the Eisenhower Executive Office Building for the first time as vice-president after walking a parade route to the White House grounds with her family.

Biden takes office as 46th US president

He is now at the White House.

Biden arrives at the White House for first time as president

Joe Biden has arrived at the White House for the first time as president. 

The new president walked onto the White House grounds, after walking the last few blocks to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The band played "Hail to the Chief" and "God Bless America" as Biden and his wife walked in.

Biden fist bumps member of press

President Joe Biden made a couple stops as he walked toward the White House along the inaugural parade route.

He took a moment to jog over to a press area, while he was walking to the White House, and fist bumped a member of the press, according to the live coverage.

Biden's inaugural parade begins

The inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to honour President Joe Biden's incoming administration is virtual this year owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will receive a presidential escort from 15th Street to the White House including the US Army Band, a Joint Service Honor Guard and the commander in chief's Guard and Fife Drum Corps.

Celebrities welcome Biden-Harris to lead America in new direction

From Oprah to Mark Ruffalo and Mindy Kaling, here's how celebrities reacted on Biden-Harris inauguration at the Capitol Hill.

'A day of many firsts'

Today's presidential inauguration marked a series of firsts for the United States. From the country's oldest president to its first woman vice president, and the youngest poet to perform at the ceremony - the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States - Joe Biden was a sign of the times. 

Take a look at the key highlights:

Women opt for monochrome, colour-block at Biden-Harris inauguration

Here's how the women dressed at the Biden-Harris inauguration ceremony at Capitol Hill | SEE PICS

Joe Biden makes his way to White House

Catch up: Read Biden's inaugural address

Joe Biden was sworn in today in DC and became the 46th president of the United States.

You can read his full address here.

Biden participates in wreath-laying ceremony with Obama, Clinton and Bush

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are joined by three former presidents — Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton — at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton are also at the event.

Biden is now travelling to Arlington National Cemetery for wreath-laying ceremony

The Bidens will be joined by former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Biden and Harris also reviewed readiness of military troops

President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff also participated in a pass in review on the East front of the Capitol with members of the military.

Congressional leaders present gifts to Biden

Congressional leaders are now presenting gifts to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

Reactions from world leaders pour in

On January 20, 2021, Joe Biden took oath as the 46th President of the United States, along with Vice President Kamala Harris. Soon after being sworn in, leaders from across the world congratulated the new president, wishing him all the best.

Here are some reactions.

Biden says real work begins now

"Now the real work begins, folks. Follow along at @POTUS as we build back better," Biden tweeted.

Biden participates in signing ceremony at Capitol 

President Biden will sign three documents while in the President's Room at the Capitol.

These are the documents he's singing:

-Inauguration Day proclamation
-Nominations to Cabinet positions 
-Nominations to sub-Cabinet positions

Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez strike the patriotic chord

Lady Gaga became the voice of democracy with a rendition of the national anthem at Joe Biden and Kamala Harris's inauguration ceremony.

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Kamala Harris has also taken over @VP Twitter account

She shared her first message: “Ready to serve.”

Joe Biden has taken over the @POTUS Twitter handle

And his first tweet spoke of his resilience to provide "immediate relief for American families".

“There is no time to waste when it comes to tackling the crises we face,” the new president said. 

“That’s why today, I am heading to the Oval Office to get right to work delivering bold action and immediate relief for American families.”

Inaugural ceremony concludes

The inaugural ceremony concluded with a benediction by Reverend Silvester Beaman.

Beaman said, “We will make friends of our enemies.”

Biden then left the ceremony as “The Stars and Stripes Forever” played. 

He hugged Barack Obama as he walked out.

Now, there will be an inaugural parade, following which Biden and Harris will have a presidential escort from 15th Street to the White House including the US Army Band, a Joint Service Honor Guard and the commander in chief's Guard and Fife Drum Corps. 

Biden says will defend America

"I will defend the Constitution. I'll defend our democracy. I'll defend America. And I'll give all, all of you, keep everything I do in your service, thinking not of power, but of possibilities. Not of personal interest, but the public good. And together we shall write an American story of hope, not fear, of unity, not division. Of light, not darkness. A story of decency and dignity, love and healing, greatness and goodness."

He ended on a message for Americans, saying that they met the moment.

"May this be the story that guides us, the story that inspires and the stories that tell ages yet to come that we answered the call of history. We met the moment, democracy and hope, truth and justice did not die on our watch but thrived, that America secured liberty at home and stood once again as a beacon to the world. That is what we owe our forebearers, one another and generations to follow. With purpose and resolve, we turn to those tasks of our time, sustain by faith, driven by conviction and devoted to one another and the country we love with all hearts."

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Biden leads silent prayer for victims of coronavirus 
            
New US President Joe Biden led a moment of silence for the 400,000 American victims of the coronavirus Wednesday, warning the country may be entering the deadliest phase of the pandemic.

"We need all our strength to persevere through this dark winter. We're entering what may be the toughest and deadliest period of the virus," Biden said in his inaugural address.

Biden delivers inaugural address

In his inauguration speech, President Joe Biden recognised racism.

"I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real. But I also know they are not new. Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we are all created equal, and the harsh ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, demonization have long torn us apart," Biden said. 
He said that through tough times in US history — the Civil War, the Great Depression, both world wars and the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks — "our better angels have always prevailed."

Biden said that in every instance, Americans have been able to come together for the greater good.

"History, faith and reason show the way, the way of unity," Biden said.

Biden delivers inaugural address

"Today we celebrate the triumph, not of a candidate, but of a cause — the cause of democracy. The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded. We've learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed," Biden said as he addressed a cheering crowd.

"Today, on this January day, my whole soul is in this: Bringing America together, uniting our people, uniting our nation."

The president called on Americans to come together to overcome the extraordinary challenges that face the nation.

"To overcome these challenges, to restore the soul and secure the future of America requires so much more than words and requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy, unity."

"Uniting to fight the foes we face. Anger, resentment and hatred, extremism, lawlessness, violence, disease, joblessness and hopelessness. With unity we can do great things, important things."

'Democracy has prevailed'

Biden received a standing ovation as he took the stage to deliver his inaugural address.

After thanking those present at the inauguration, Biden said, “This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day.”

“We’ve learned again that democracy is precious,” the president said. “And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.”

JOE BIDEN BECOMES THE 46TH US PRESIDENT

Biden was sworn in by supreme court chief justice John Roberts, and his wife, Dr Jill Biden, held the Bible as he took the oath.

The Bible has been Biden’s family since 1893 and was used during his swearing-in ceremonies as vice-president.

Jennifer Lopez is now performing at the stage

Kamala Harris is now officially the vice-president of the US

Trump arrives at home in Mar-a-Lago

Lady Gaga sings the national anthem of the US

Trump issues one more pardon

Trump granted one additional pardon in the final hours of his presidency.

"Today, President Donald J. Trump granted a full pardon to Albert J. Pirro, Jr.," deputy press secretary Judd Deere said in a statement to pool. 

Pirro was convicted on conspiracy and tax evasion charges after improperly deducting $1.2 million of his personal expenses in business write-offs.

Inaugural ceremony gets underway

Inauguration attendees take their seats.

Amy Klobuchar, the incoming Democratic chairwoman of the Senate rules committee, kicks off the ceremony by welcoming everyone to this historic event.

Biden arrives on the platform, and the formal ceremony begins.

Harris arrives on Capitol platform

Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, have arrived on the Capitol platform for the inauguration.

Harris will be sworn in as the vice-president by Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first woman of colour on the court.

Meanwhile, Trump just landed in Florida

The outgoing president, Donald Trump, and the first lady have just landed in Florida. 

Former presidents and former first ladies in attendance are now being introduced at the inauguration.

Bill and Hillary Clinton were introduced first, followed by George W and Laura Bush and Barack and Michelle Obama.

The countdown has begun!

Biden will be sworn in as the 46th US president in the next few minutes.

False alarm!

The Supreme Court did receive a bomb threat, the building and grounds were checked out, but the building was not evacuated.

Harris has also arrived at the US Capitol

Biden arrives at the US Capitol

Biden's motorcade has arrived at the US Capitol ahead of his inauguration.

Biden is expected to take the oath of office outside the building at noon ET.

Supreme Court being evacuated for bomb threat

There is a bomb threat at the Supreme Court. It is now being evacuated.

The Supreme Court building sits across the street from the US Capitol, where President-elect Joe Biden will take the oath of office.

Kamala Harris's niece plays it cool.

Biden heads to Capitol

He'll be sworn in as the US president in next few minutes.

Obamas and Clintons have arrived

Former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama have arrived at the US Capitol for Joe Biden's inauguration.

Their arrival was followed by former President Bill Clinton and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton shortly after.
 

Lady Gaga is here!

Before her scheduled performance of the National Anthem at Joe Biden's presidential inauguration, Lady Gaga took a moment to share a prayer for peace.

"I pray tomorrow will be a day of peace for all Americans," she wrote alongside a selfie taken from the US Capitol building which faced a violent act of intrusion this month. 

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Jennifer Lopez arrives in Washington

She is going to perform at the inauguration.

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'This is your time'

Former US president Barack Obama congratulates his friend with a beautiful picture.

Celebrity line up at the ceremony

A bevvy of stars of all stripes is set to participate in the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris including Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga and Tom Hanks. 

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Kamala Harris wearing Black designers

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris is wearing Christopher John Rogers and Sergio Hudson, according to CNN.

Christopher is a young Black designer, from Baton Rouge, and lives in New York City. Sergio is a Black designer from South Carolina.

The Second Gentleman is wearing a Ralph Lauren suit. 

READ MORE ON THIS
 

Bidens attend mass with Republican, Democratic Congress leaders

Biden attended a mass at St Matthew's Cathedral in Washington, DC on Wednesday morning, accompanied by Democratic and Republican leaders of Congress in a symbol of unity ahead of his inauguration. 

The future 46th President of the United States was accompanied by his wife Jill Biden, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, as well as Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell and House leader Kevin McCarthy.
 

Mike Pompeo tweets

"It has been an honor to serve as the U.S. Secretary of State. Today, as I step down from this role as our nation’s top diplomat, I am proud of what we achieved — and I promise to never stop fighting for America #AmericaFirst"

'A new day in America'

Moments after Trump departed Washington, Biden’s Twitter account shared this message: “It’s a new day in America.”

Trump left a letter for Joe Biden, spokesman says

President Trump did leave a note for his successor, Joe Biden, according to a spokesperson.

The contents of the note weren't immediately clear.

Melania Trump also left a "short note of welcome" for Jill Biden.

This is a tradition going back through Reagan.

Trump snubs Biden

Trump did not mention Biden by name in his final speech as the president.

In his short, unscripted remarks, Trump thanked his family and vowed to "always fight."

While he wished the next administration "great luck," but he did not mention President-elect Joe Biden by name.

In his last words before getting on the plane, Trump said: "Have a good life, we will see you soon."

Biden arrives for church service

Joe Biden, who will become only the second Catholic president, is attending a service at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, DC, ahead of his Inauguration.

Biden will be joined by all four congressional leaders -- including Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.

Since 1933, seven presidents – Presidents Franklin D Roosevelt, Truman, Reagan, George HW Bush, George W Bush, Obama and Trump – attended morning services at St John’s ahead of their public inaugurations, according to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. 

Trump addresses supporters in departure speech

Trump said his administration had ‘left it all on the field’, and will not be saying to themselves they could have worked harder. He concluded his address by saying “You are amazing people and this is a great great country it is an honor and privilege to have been your president,” while the crowd chanted “Thank you Trump.”

He recognised his children, saying, “People have no idea how hard this family worked. They could have had a much easier life, but they just, they did a fantastic job.”

He also recognised his chief of staff, Mark Meadows, before calling up first lady Melania Trump to make brief remarks.  

He called the first lady a “woman of great grace and beauty and dignity," and said she was “so popular with the people."

Melania Trump is overwhelmed!

First lady Melania Trump spoke at President Trump's final farewell ceremony at Joint Base Andrews before they leave for Florida.

"Being your first lady was my greatest honor. Thank you for your love and your support. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you all. God bless your families. And God bless this beautiful nation. Thank you," she said.

"What else has to be said. What we have done is amazing by any standard. We rebuild the US military, we created a new force called Space Force, we were not a regular administration. We took care of the vets, the vets gave an approval rating of 91%, highest than ever before. We picked up the bill, they can go out and see the doctor the time they liked.

"Our vets are happy, our people are happy, our military is happy. The job numbers are incredible. If we were not hit by pandemic we would have had numbers that nobody would have ever seen before. Even now, we built it twice. The stock market is substantially higher than the highest point before the pandemic. You're gonna see incredible number start coming in, if things are left. Remember us when you see these things happening. I am looking at elements of our economy that is a rocket chip up. As bad as the pandemic was, we were hit so hard, places that thought they got away they didn't, they are suffering now. We got the vaccine developed in 9 months not 9 years or 5 years. It is a medical miracle. You should start to see really good numbers in next few months."

Trump says it was a "great honour" to serve as the US president in parting remarks to reporters.

After he walked out of the White House, President Trump told reporters it was a "great honour" to serve as 45th president of the United States.

He said it has been the "honour of a lifetime" and that he just wanted to walk over and say goodbye.

He added he hoped it would not be a long goodbye.

“It seemed the President was trying to take this in and say one final goodbye here,” Diamond said.

This has been an incredible 4 years. We have accomplished so much. I want to thank my family and my friends. People have no idea how much the family worked, they wcould have had an easier life but they chose the other way. Our first lady has been a women of great grace, dignity and beauty and so popular with the people. 

21 gun salute as Donald Trump takes the stage for a final speech at JBA

Trump reaches Joint Base Andrews

Trump told reporters gathered on the White House South Lawn it was a "great honour" and an "honour of a lifetime" and that he just wanted to walk over and say "goodbye.” He added that hopefully, it would not be a long goodbye.

Trump departs White House for the last time as president

He is now en route Joint Base Andrews.

Joe Biden will take these decisions on very first day in office

Biden plans to get straight to work on the first day of his presidency. He is slated to take 17 decisions that will reverse those taken by Donald Trump. These include revoking ban on travel to US from six Muslim-majority countries, rejoining the WHO and more.

Have a look at the major decisions Biden plans to take.

Trump to leave White House in next few minutes

We are expecting Donald Trump to depart the White House and head for Joint Base Andrews within the next half hour for his “sendoff ceremony”.
 

Biden will issue order to dissolve Trump's '1776 commission'

The Biden team has announced it would dismantle Trump’s 1776 commission -- a panel stood up by President Donald Trump as a rebuttal to schools applying a more accurate history curriculum around slavery in the US.

The commission had been formed as an apparent counter to The New York Times’ 1619 Project, a Pulitzer Prize-winning project aimed at teaching American students about slavery that Trump, speaking last fall, had called “toxic propaganda.”

Meanwhile, world leaders are welcoming US transfer of power to Biden

Political leaders across the globe are looking forward to the historic transfer of power in the United States -- where Democrat Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th US president after four turbulent years under Donald Trump | SEE PICS

Russia says better ties with US up to Biden

The Kremlin said Wednesday that any improvement in Moscow's tense relationship with Washington would depend on Joe Biden when he enters the White House.

The United States recently blamed Kremlin-backed hackers for a massive cyberattack that breached government institutions, adding to a long list of grievances plaguing ties between the former Cold War rivals.

"Russia will live as it has lived for hundreds of years: seeking good relations with the United States," the Kremlin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

Whether or not Washington works towards achieving the same goal "will depend on Mr Biden and his team," Peskov added.

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European commission president Ursula von der Leyen speaks of relief

European commission president Ursula von der Leyen has spoken of her relief at the end of the Trump administration.

"The relief that many of us are feeling about the change of administration in Washington should not blind us to the fact that, although Donald Trump’s presidency may be history in just a few hours, his movement will not. More than 70 million Americans voted for him in the election. Just a few days ago, several hundred of them stormed the Capitol in Washington, the heart of American democracy.

"That is what happens when words incite action. That is what happens when hate speech and fake news spread like wildfire through digital media. They become a danger to democracy.

"Last August, several hundred right-wing extremists tried to storm the Reichstag building in Berlin. It is only thanks to the courage and vigilance of a handful of police officers that they were not successful. And we remember Jo Cox, the British Labour Member of Parliament who was murdered by a right-wing extremist in June 2016, during the torrid days leading up to the Brexit referendum. A deed which still makes us shudder today.

"We must impose democratic limits on the untrammelled and uncontrolled political power of the internet giants. We want the platforms to be transparent about how their algorithms work. We cannot accept a situation where decisions that have a wide-ranging impact on our democracy are being made by computer programs without any human supervision."

Von der Leyen went on to say that while it may have been right for Twitter to switch off Donald Trump’s account, “such serious interference with freedom of expression should be based on laws and not on company rules.”
 

Creating history -- in blazers and sneakers

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris' understated and elegant signature style of blazers combined with sneakers signals a new way of power dressing.

Harris will make history as the first female, first Black and first South Asian American vice president on Wednesday.

Emerging as a woman of conviction and dedicated towards her work, Harris makes sure her approachable personality is reflected through her attire, several US media outlets reported.

Her no-nonsense wardrobe often features sharp blazers, skinny pants, pearls and Converse sneakers.

Harris' fashion sense dates back to the days when she was a lawyer in San Francisco. She had a big collection of sharp blazers in neutral tones along with accessories like boldly patterned scarves, colourful Converse or the jangly bangles she wears alongside a Cartier watch, the report said.

Harris has always maintained a simple yet graceful look, whether it is her debut as the vice presidential candidate or her victory speech when the Democrats won the November 3 presidential election.

Daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, Harris is giving fashion goals to women who want to look stylish yet comfortable in what they wear.

She has also featured on the cover page of Vogue's February issue in her signature style.

What we know so far about Biden's inaugural address today

Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th US president Wednesday, drawing a curtain on the most tumultuous administration of modern times and charting a new course to tackle Covid-19 and unite a splintered nation.

The magnitude of the message Biden is going to deliver on the steps of the US Capitol during his inaugural address today is almost immeasurable.

He must be steadily crafting the speech since the day after he delivered a victory address in Wilmington, Delaware, aides say. But in those passing 72 days, Biden's burden has grown even heavier, with the outgoing president's, Donald Trump, histroinics and relentless falsehoods complicating the already-challenging task of unifying a divided nation.

According to CNN, Mike Donilon, a longtime advisor to Biden who will join him in the West Wing, is overseeing the speechwriting process along with Vinay Reddy, Biden's chief speechwriter. 

Jon Meacham, the historian and presidential biographer, is also helping shape the inaugural address, which will be delivered as the opening mark of perhaps the most challenging presidency since Franklin Roosevelt.

It is expected to be about 20 minutes in length -- which follows a pattern of inaugural addresses from recent presidents. Four years ago, Trump spoke for 15 minutes, while Barack Obama's speech in 2009 was about 18 minutes.

"I am greatly relieved that Joe Biden will be inaugurated as president today and move into the White House," German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said. "I know this feeling is shared by many people in Germany," he added.

Steinmeier said it was a "good day for democracy".

As America gears to welcome its 46th President, Joe Biden with a glittering ceremony, several stars will be part of the inaugural ceremony on Wednesday. The event will see actors, musician and even TikTok stars participated in a long day of virtual programming. 

Read More: Lady Gaga, Tom Hanks, Justin Timberlake: The complete celebrity line up at Joe Biden's inaugural ceremony  

Europe has a friend in the White House, says European Parliament by Ursula von der Leyen.

"President Trump may be history in a few hours, but his supporters remain. More than 70 million Americans voted for Trump in the election," she said. 

"A few hundred of them stormed the Capitol in Washington, the heart of American democracy, just a few days ago, Ursula von der Leyen said, adding, "And this really is what it looks like when words put into deeds, when hate speech and fake news become a real danger to democracy." 

Rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black were among the beneficiaries of Donald Trump's wave of pardons in his last day in office on Wednesday.

Five-time Grammy Award winner Lil Wayne, whose legal name is Dwayne Carter Jr., appeared to support Trump on the campaign trail ahead of Trump's reelection bid when Carter said he backed Trump's criminal justice reform program and economic plan for African Americans.

Carter, whose 2016 single "No Problem" won the Best Rap Performance Grammy, pleaded guilty last month to illegally possessing a loaded, gold-plated handgun when his chartered jet landed in Miami in December 2019. He faced a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

Read More: President Trump pardons 73 people

Black, 23, who was born Bill Kahan Kapri, is in federal prison for making a false statement to buy a firearm, and released the album "Bill Israel" from behind bars.

Black had pleaded guilty in August 2019, and three months later was sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison. He was seeking compassionate release and his commutation was supported by religious leaders, other rappers and athletes.

As US President departs from the White House, Iran President Hassan Rouhani said  "a tyrant's era came to an end and today is the final day of his ominous reign".

"Someone for whom all of his four years bore no fruit other than injustice and corruption and causing problems for his own people and the world."

During his presidency, Trump led a campaign of "maximum pressure" against Iran, pulling Washington out of a landmark nuclear deal with Tehran in 2018 and reimposing punishing sanctions.

Trump said he had given a full pardon to a former Google engineer Anthony Levandowski sentenced for stealing a trade secret on self-driving cars months before he briefly headed Uber Technologies Inc's rival unit.

Read More: President Trump pardons 73 people including ex-aide Steve Bannon

Anthony Levandowski, 40, was sentenced in August to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in March. He was not in custody but a judge had said he could enter custody once the COVID-19 pandemic subsided.

The White House said Levandowski had "paid a significant price for his actions and plans to devote his talents to advance the public good."

At 78, Joe Biden to become the oldest US president to take oath

Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1942 and moved to Delaware as a child.

At age 29, Biden became one of the youngest people ever elected to the United States Senate.

Biden to declassify report on assassination of Jamal Khashoggi

Trump had refrained from taking harsh measures against Saudi Arabia after reports emerged Khashoggi's body was dismembered in the Kingdom's Istanbul consulate in 2018. 

Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige speak out against police brutality in powerful video

The video highlights individuals including Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Botham Jean, and others who have died at the hands of the police. 

Melania Trump’s legacy: Missteps, mystery and, in the end, absence

Described by White House officials as in a state of shock after the election, Melania Trump joined with her husband in insisting that he had actually won.

Trump pardons ex-aide Bannon but not himself or family: Report

White House officials had argued to Trump that he should not pardon himself or his family because it might look like they are guilty of crimes, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Country singer Garth Brooks jokes at being the 'only Republican' performing at Joe Biden's inauguration

On a zoom call announcing the news, Brooks told reporters that he found the recent violence that broke out at the US Capitol on January 6 to be "disturbing and sad." 

Interestingly, Brooks had also performed at Barack Obama’s 2008 swearing-in ceremony. 

Biden's cabinet pick Blinken told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, "President Trump was right in taking a tougher approach to China," but added, "I disagree very much with the way he went about it in a number of areas."

In a farewell address Tuesday, the outgoing president defended his record, saying he had brought unprecedented international pressure on Washington's communist rival.

"We revitalized our alliances and rallied the nations of the world to stand up to China like never before," Trump said, according to excerpts released by the White House.

But he in fact consistently acted unilaterally, while both retreating from and crippling the World Trade Organization, which enforces global commerce rules.

Biden tweets as Washington prepares to welcome the new president.

In Pics: Trump spends last working day at White House

US President Donald Trump bestowed a rare award on King Hamad of Bahrain on Tuesday, acknowledging the Gulf state's normalisation of ties with Israel on his last full day in office.

Joe Biden gives tearful goodbye to Delaware while honouring late son Beau

Tears rolled down Biden's cheeks at a farewell ceremony in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, where he paid tribute to his late son Beau, a rising politician who died of brain cancer in 2015 aged 46.

12 US National Guard troops pulled from inauguration after far-right probe

Two of the 12 were removed from duty for making "inappropriate comments or texts," said National Guard Commander General Daniel Hokanson. 

The actions against the 12 came amid concerns that the far-right extremists who took a part in the assault on the US Capitol on January 6 have associates or sympathisers in the US military.

In farewell address, Trump touts new beginning for 'Make America Great Again'

Trump touted his administration's accomplishments stating that his main focus was on the federal vaccine program and his handling of the pandemic.

"When our nation was hit with the terrible pandemic, we produced not one, but two vaccines with record-breaking speed, and more will quickly follow. They said it couldn't be done but we did it. They call it a "medical miracle," and that's what they're calling it right now: a "medical miracle," Trump said.