Joe Biden is sworn in today, Wednesday, at 7 pm Finland time. The ceremony begins at 18.00 It can be seen in the Yle Arena, among other places And at Yle Five at 18.30-19.30.
Where is the ceremony arranged?
According to a tradition of the 1981 Ronald Reagan installation, the ceremony was held on the steps of the Capitolium Building in Washington, D.C. with a view of the mall.
Imagine one person per chair and you know what Joe Biden’s views look like when he is sworn in as President of the United States.
Preparations for the presidential ceremony. Lots of chairs are placed at safe distances from one another
Bild: Stella / Splash News Pictures
What is included in the party?
The ceremonies themselves can be organized in principle according to the wishes of the future president. The only thing that needs to be done according to protocol is the oath that the President swears and takes his hand on the Bible.
The ceremony often includes performances by famous artists, recent swearing in speeches and a parade of orchestras. In addition, the new president reviews the military forces for which he became the commander in chief.
Should the president save the oath?
Aden, written in the constitution, is not long, but unfortunately it does not need to be read in advance. Usually the chief justice reads the oath, after which the future president repeats the text.
It is not necessary that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court explicitly preside over the division, but it has become a tradition.
The next president can also choose which Bible to swear by, for example, Barack Obama chose Martin Luther King’s Bible. Joe Biden’s election has yet to be announced.
The Vice President was also sworn in during the ceremony.
“I [name] Solemnly I swear that I will faithfully implement the Office of the President of the United States,
I will do my best to preserve, protect and defend the United States Constitution. “
Approximate Swedish translation:
I [namn] I swear that I will faithfully exercise the office of President of the United States, and as much as I can, I will preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Presidents also usually add “God help me,” meaning “help me, God,” at the end. The phrase was not recorded in the constitution.
Is there entertainment?
A relatively new tradition during the presidential fixation is that artists reserve the event.
This year, pop artist Lady Gaga had the honor of singing the country’s national anthem. Gaga actively supported Biden during his presidential campaign. Artist Jennifer Lopez also performs during installation.
Lady Gaga has always spoken warmly about Joe Biden, which is certainly one of the reasons why she was honored to sing the national anthem at the inauguration.
Lady Gaga, Oskarsgalan 2015
With the coronavirus pandemic, this year they choose to invest in a 90-minute star-studded TV show led by actor Tom Hanks after the presidential fixation.
The show hosts Qatari artist Garth Brooks, singer John Bon Jovi, rock band Fu Fighter’s, pop stars Demi Lovato, John Legend and Justin Timberlake.
The show is shown on several major television channels in the United States, as well as Fox News, which has been a major supporter of Trump over the years.
A chief who understands rock music? Rock band Foo Fighters is hosting Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Fighters foo Grammy Awards
Photo: EPA / Paul Buck
Do you attend the ceremony, former presidents? What about Trump?
Outgoing President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter in early January that he would not attend Joe Biden’s inauguration, but Vice President Mike Pence would.
Trump is not the first candidate to lose the presidential election who failed to run. The last time this happened was in 1869, when President Andrew Johnson refused to attend the installation of Ulysses Simpson Grant.
Former President George W. Bush, with his wife Laura Bush, Barack and Michelle Obama, as well as Bill and Hillary Clinton, will be present during Biden’s inauguration.
President Jimmy Carter, 96, announced that he and his wife would not attend. It would be the first time since Carter became president that he missed an inauguration.
Three of those four gentlemen you can attend today. Only former President Jimmy Carter (far right) stays at home. The photo also shows former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton
Four of the former Presidents of the United States in a row. Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton
Photo: STELLA / ddp Images
Are there fans in place during these times of Corona?
Typically, hundreds of thousands of people flock to Washington, D.C. during the installation ceremony.
But this year, Biden’s team has asked people to avoid traveling to the capital – partly due to the Corona case, and partly due to the attack on the Capitol two weeks ago.
This year, 200 seats were arranged on a platform next to the Capitolium Stairs, among others, for former presidents.
People who are in the stands at a safe distance from each other, wear mouthguards and test results must be negative for Coronavirus in order to participate.
About 1,000 tickets for a parking room near the stairs were also sold. Consequently, the number of spectators was much less than in previous years, when around 200,000 tickets were sold to people who wanted to (reasonably) participate in the concert nearby.
200,000 flags were placed on the lawn outside the Capitolium to symbolize the crowd that in previous years was allowed to follow the presidential installations at the site.
A man puts small American flags on the lawn.
This is the final result!
Thousands of flags of the United States displayed on a park outside the Capitolium.
How is security?
The installation ceremony has always been closely monitored, but additional measures have been taken this year to ensure the safety of the ceremony participants.
According to reports, at least 15,000 National Guard soldiers will watch the event. Security is led by the Federal Police’s Secret Service, and there are also thousands of policemen on site.
Additionally, large parts of Washington, D.C., as well as about a dozen subway stations near the Capitol and the White House have been closed.
Experts warn that far-right groups may create riots during the day.
Troubles over the presidential inauguration are not a new problem. In 2017, when Donald Trump was sworn in, more than 200 people protested against Trump. Among other things, protesters set fire to a limousine and threw rocks at police.
The Army is practicing for today’s parade.
Three people in US Army Military Uniforms walk in front of the camera. In the background is the White House. There are two white men and a black woman in the photo.
Sources: BBC, The Independent, The New York Times
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