Inauguration of Joe Biden — 59th United States presidential inauguration
Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th U.S. president on January 20, 2021, becoming the oldest person to assume the office at age 78.
Key Facts
- Inauguration number
- 59th United States presidential inauguration
- Biden's age at inauguration
- 78 years, 61 days
- Vice President inaugurated
- Kamala Harris, first woman VP
- Venue
- West Front of the United States Capitol
- Inaugural themes
- America United; Our Determined Democracy
- Crowd restrictions
- Severely limited due to COVID-19 and security threats
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The inauguration followed a turbulent transition period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, President Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election result, his second impeachment, and the January 6 Capitol attack, all of which created extraordinary security and public health concerns leading up to the ceremony.
On January 20, 2021, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President and Kamala Harris as Vice President on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. The ceremony proceeded with a sharply reduced live audience, mandatory face coverings, social distancing, and a heightened security presence, reflecting the unprecedented conditions surrounding the transfer of power.
Biden assumed the presidency at 78, then the oldest person to do so, and Harris became the first woman and first person of South Asian and Black heritage to serve as Vice President. The administration immediately began addressing the COVID-19 response and reversing several policies of the Trump administration, marking a significant shift in U.S. domestic and foreign policy direction.
Political Outcome
Joe Biden inaugurated as 46th President; Kamala Harris as first female Vice President; transfer of power from Trump administration completed.
Donald Trump, 45th President (Republican)
Joe Biden, 46th President (Democrat)