Biden’s Inauguration: Live Updates

An early morning scene prior to Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., January 20, 2021 (Jim Bourg/Reuters)

Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president on Wednesday, an Inauguration Day like no other. COVID-19 precautions and heightened security in the wake of the January 6 riot at the Capitol have resulted in a largely virtual affair. Biden took the oath in person, but the traditionally packed National Mall is closed to the public. A celebrity-filled virtual event will follow. Outgoing President Trump is not attending the ceremonies, and left the White House early Wednesday morning.

Follow along for live updates from the NR team:

Tobias Hoonhout

Some of Biden’s first actions as president this afternoon will be signing a slate of executive orders largely aimed at rolling back Trump-era policies.

The 17 orders include stopping construction of the border wall, ending the Keystone XL pipeline, rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization, and more.

New: Here’s a breakdown of the 17 executive actions President Biden will sign this afternoon in the Oval. Many directly undo Trump's touted accomplishments. @cbsnews pic.twitter.com/oQSVK5MYWr
— Bo Erickson CBS (@BoKnowsNews) January 20, 2021

Tobias Hoonhout

In brief, off-the-cuff remarks to supporters at Joint Base Andrews, Trump thanked a crowd of supporters and promised to “always fight for you.” He also wished the Biden administration “great luck and great success,” and promised to “be back in some form.”

Trump: “We will be back in some form.”
— John McCormack (@McCormackJohn) January 20, 2021

"Have a good life. We will see you soon. Thank you very much," Trump says, exiting stage to the YMCA blaring at 845 AM.
— Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) January 20, 2021

Tobias Hoonhout

President Donald Trump left the White House for the final time on Wednesday morning, taking Marine One to Joint Base Andrews, where he will deliver remarks to supporters before flying to Florida.

BREAKING — It was “the honor of a lifetime,” Trump tells us and mouths “thank you” to the press. He said he just wants to “say goodbye” and “we love the American people.” pic.twitter.com/l5m86NwZpF
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) January 20, 2021

Trump will be the first president in 152 years not to attend the inauguration of his successor. Vice President Mike Pence will attend the ceremony for President-elect Joe Biden.

In his final hours as president, Trump issued a wave of pardons and commutations to 143 people, including his former political strategist Steve Bannon, who is currently facing fraud charges for his work with the “We Build the Wall” crowdfunding campaign.

Trump also rescinded an executive order that he had signed in January 2017 which aimed to fulfill his 2016 campaign promise to “drain the swamp” by prohibiting administration officials from federal lobbying or working for foreign countries after they leave their post in government.