Inauguration Day 2021: Celebrating America
President-elect Joe Biden officially became President Joe Biden just before noon today, but the day full of Inauguration Day events continue after Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris were sworn into office. Also attending will be Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. 11:45 a.m.: Oaths of officeVice President-elect Harris will be sworn in, followed by President-elect Biden and during the inaugural ceremony outside the U.S. Capitol building. The inauguration committee has said the event will โfeature diverse, dynamic performances in communities across the country.โ8 p.m.: โInauguration Day 2021โณNews4Jaxโs recap of the Inauguration Day events assembled by the WJXT news team and hosted by Mary Baer and Kent Justice. 8:30 p.m.: โCelebrating Americaโ TV specialโCelebrating America,โ a prime time special hosted by Tom Hanks, will cap off the dayโs festivities.
Demonstration at Florida Capitol remains peaceful
TALLAHASSEE โ Threats of a large protest and violent counter demonstrators on Inauguration Day didnโt materialize at the Florida Capitol on Wednesday. Troopers were stationed under the Capitol, police drones were in the air, the National Guard was on the Capitolโs roof and spotters were on nearby buildings. Len Murray drove in from Ft. Lauderdale, motivated by the riot at the U.S. Capitol two weeks ago. โIf violence breaks out, Iโm going home,โ said Robert Allen, a demonstrator who drove from Brandon to the Capitol. โGod told us to come today,โ said one of the women, who called herself Angel Paula.
The only thing ordinary with Bidenโs Inauguration is the weather
President Reagan had both the warmest inauguration in 1981 at 55ยฐ and coldest in 1985. This Inauguration Day is unlike any other but the weather is simply ordinary. Any given Jan. 20, Washington D.C. typically has a 30% chance for snow on the ground. Weather records dating to 1937 showed it poured when President Roosevelt was sworn in. Four incidents of snow in the past 20 inaugurations occurred with George W. Bush โ01, Kennedy โ61, Eisenhower โ51 and Roosevelt.
The Latest: Azar condemns Capitol riot in resignation letter
Security surrounds the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Azar says he will resign at noon on Jan. 20, when President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in. TSA is also providing officers to help the Secret Service screen people along the parade route and attending Bidenโs inauguration Wednesday. Penceโs call comes less than a week before President-elect Joe Biden and Harris are set to take office. President Donald Trump hasnโt reached out to Biden and has repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of Bidenโs win.
Florida State Capitol security tight ahead of potential protests
On Monday, Florida state senators spent an hour behind closed doors for a classified security briefing. โAnd our Senate President was dead serious when he said they would keep us safe, and I felt very good walking out of that security briefing,โ said State Senator Janet Cruz. State Senator Linda Stewart said the security briefing included tips for when senators were not in the Capitol as well. Lawmakers themselves wonโt be at the Capitol over the weekend, nor next week, when the chances of violent protests are greatest. Flags at the State Capitol are currently at half staff in honor of the two officers who died as a result of last weekโs protest at the U.S. Capitol.
Biden inauguration to feature virtual, nationwide parade
WASHINGTON โ President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration will include a "virtual parade across Americaโ consistent with crowd limits during the coronavirus era, organizers announced Sunday. Those are military traditions where Biden will review the readiness of military troops. Biden will also receive a traditional presidential escort with representatives from every branch of the military from 15th Street in Washington to the White House. Accordingly, organizers also said they will hold a virtual parade nationwide to โcelebrate Americaโs heroes, highlight Americans from all walks of life in different states and regions, and reflect on the diversity, heritage, and resilience of the country as we begin a new American era.โThe parade event will be televised and feature โdiverse, dynamicโ performances in communities across the country, the inaugural committee promised. โWe are excited about the possibilities and opportunities this moment presents to allow all Americans to participate in our countryโs sacred inaugural traditions," said Presidential Inaugural Committee Executive Director Maju Varghese said in a statement.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to leave telecom agency on January 20
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai, a Republican, says he is leaving the telecommunications regulator on Inauguration Day. Section 230 shields internet companies from lawsuits about posts by users. The Trump administration has gone after the law, alleging with no evidence that social networks censor conservatives. Pai and another Republican commissioner, Michael O'Rielly, are leaving the agency. O'Rielly is leaving because the White House pulled his nomination after he said he wasn't sure the agency had authority on Section 230.
What happens if the US election is contested?
Even if the election is messy and contested in court, the country will have a president on Inauguration Day. But states' electoral votes have to be cast on Dec. 14. When the electors meet, the candidate who gets at least 270 of the 538 electoral votes wins. But what happens if election issues still prevent a winner from being named? In a contingent election, House members have to choose among the three people with the most electoral votes.