US Inauguration: Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States and Kamala Harris took oath as first woman Vice President on Wednesday in a historic but scaled down ceremony under the unprecedented security umbrella of thousands of security personnel, who transformed the Capitol into a fortress to prevent any breach by pro-Trump extremists. The inauguration was held under the watch of more than 25,000 National Guards, who have transformed the capital into a garrison city, mainly because of the threat of more violent protests by the supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump, who became the first president to skip his successor's inauguration since Andrew Johnson in 1869. Outgoing Vice President Mike Pence attended the ceremony. Let us take a look at some of other images:
Biden, who is the oldest president in American history, took the oath by placing his left hand on his 127-year-old family Bible, which was held by his wife, Jill Biden. (Reuters Photo)
"Democracy has prevailed," newly inaugurated US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday in his maiden speech as he called on Americans "to defend the truth and defeat the lies".
“I, Kamala Devi Harris, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely; without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter so help me, God,” she said in her oath. (Reuters Photo)
A full-throated, supremely confident Lady Gaga belted out the national anthem in a very Gaga way — with flamboyance, fashion and passion.
Jennifer Lopez, dressed all in white, delivered a moving medley of “This Land is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful.”
US President Joe Biden gets a kiss from first lady Jill Biden after he took the oath office during the inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo)
Harris, the 49th US Vice President, will serve as the deputy of President Joe Biden, 78, who also took the oath of office, becoming the 46th US President. (Reuters Photo)
Harris' understated and elegant signature style of blazers combined with sneakers signals a new way of power dressing. It is designed by two Black designers Christopher John Rogers and Sergio Hudson. (Reuters Photo)
Amanda Gorman recites a poem during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Reuters Photo)
First Lady Jill Biden places her hands on US President Joe Biden during the 59th Presidential Inauguration in Washington.(Reuters Photo)
US President Joe Biden kisses first lady Jill Biden, as his son Hunter Biden and daughter Ashley Biden, look on after being sworn-in during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo)
"This is America's day. This is democracy's day. A day in history and hope, of renewal and resolve," Biden said in his maiden speech as the US President. (Reuters Photo)
Harris' fashion sense dates back to the days when she was a lawyer in San Francisco. She had a big collection of sharp blazers in neutral tones along with accessories like boldly patterned scarves, colourful Converse or the jangly bangles she wears alongside a Cartier watch. (AP Photo)
Around 1,000 people attended the swearing-in ceremony, including Supreme Court justices and members of Congress, who were limited to just one guest each due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo)
Biden enters the White House with the top challenge to lift the country from the devastation of a raging pandemic that has killed more than 400,000 Americans and thrown millions into economic distress. (Reuters Photo)
Former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama attend the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Reuters Photo)
Former U.S. President George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush arrive for the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Reuters Photo)
Former U.S. President Barack Obama talks to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Reuters Photo)
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Former baseball player Alexander Rodriguez are seen before the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Reuters Photo)
A staff member puts the Bible on a table ahead of the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Reuters Photo)