SU Law School Alum Joe Biden to be Sworn in as President of the United States Today

Benjamin Schiller, SYRACUSE, N.Y. — SU Law School Alum Joseph R. Biden Jr. G’73 is set to become the 46th President of the United States. Biden will be joined in the White House by California Senator Kamala Harris, who will be the first person of color, Asian-American, and female to be elected Vice-President. Inauguration Day will look different this year when Biden and Harris take the oath of office Wednesday morning on Capitol Hill. 

Washington D.C. is fortified with tall fences and national guardsmen because of national security threats and the streets are empty due to the pandemic. Public officials are urging Americans to stay home this year. 

“I want to reiterate my request to Americans to enjoy this 59th Inauguration of the President of the United States and Vice President of the United States from home,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington D.C. 

Traditionally, Inauguration Day morning is headlined by the outgoing President and first lady greeting the incoming President and spouse at the White House. In a rare decision, President Donald Trump became the first President since Andrew Johnson in 1869 to skip the ceremony, when he flew home to Palm Beach, Florida this morning. 

The Inaugural Ball, dinners, and receptions have also been scrapped or moved to a virtual setting. However, the swearing-in ceremony will still take place but will be filled with mask-wearing and socially distanced politicians and presidential families.

As the 20th Amendment of the United States Constitution states, the President and Vice-President will be sworn in just before noon and will then after officially begin their term. 

In a time of uncertainty, President-elect Biden says that he is not concerned about security and health issues surrounding Wednesday’s events. 

“I’m not concerned about taking the oath outside,” said President-Elect Joe Biden during a press gaggle last week. 

After taking the oath of office, Biden will address the nation and reports suggest that he will talk about uniting the country. Following the ceremony, a primetime celebration will be nationally televised with performances and speeches, which will close out this unprecedented inauguration day.