Washington — President-elect Joe Biden is hours away from becoming the 46th president of the United States, as he and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris prepare to take their oaths of office and assume power at noon on Wednesday.
President Trump will leave Washington well before the inauguration festivities get underway. In a last-minute move, the president issued a slew of pardons and commutations, granting clemency to more than 140 people, including his former chief strategist Steve Bannon.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Mr. Biden’s swearing-in will look unlike any other in U.S. history. He and the new vice president will forgo the traditional inaugural parade in favor of a brief walk down Pennsylvania Avenue. They’ll also host a virtual event emceed by actor, director, and producer Tony Goldwyn with appearances expected by several other celebrities and musicians.
Harris is expected to swear in three new senators in the afternoon: Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, who won their runoff elections earlier this month, and Alex Padilla, who will take over her former seat in California. Seating Ossoff and Warnock officially gives Democrats control of the Senate.
At night, the inauguration concert, Celebrating America, will be held at the Lincoln Memorial. It will be hosted by Tom Hanks, with performances expected by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Ant Clemons, Justin Timberlake and Demi Lovato.
Mr. Biden’s inauguration is taking place under heavy security two weeks after thousands of President Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol as lawmakers counted the Electoral College votes. The Pentagon has authorized 25,000 National Guard troops to guard the inauguration.Â
- What: Joe Biden is inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States
- Date: Wednesday, January 20
- CBS News coverage begins: 9 a.m.
- Location: U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
- On TV: CBS broadcast stations (Full list of CBS stations here)
- Online stream: Live on CBSN in the player above and on your mobile or streaming device
- “Red & Blue” special on CBSN: 5 p.m.
- “One Nation Indivisible” special: 8 p.m. on CBS broadcast channels
- “Celebrating America” special: 8:30 p.m. on CBS and CBSN