Biden inauguration live updates: Inaugural events to kick off amid heightened security
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Preparations for President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration continued Wednesday amid a heavy security presence in Washington, with the areas around the Capitol and downtown streets closed to the public and tens of thousands of National Guard troops mobilized in a massive show of force.
In a major departure from previous inaugurations, most of the events were already planned to take place virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic. In a sign of the anxiety gripping Washington following the riot at the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob earlier this month, the building was briefly on lockdown and its west front, where a rehearsal for Wednesday's inaugural ceremony was taking place, was evacuated Monday after a "small fire" under a nearby bridge prompted an announcement of a security threat.
On Tuesday evening, Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will speak at a ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to commemorate the over 400,000 Americans who have died from Covid-19. A field of flags has been placed on the National Mall, representing those unable to attend the inauguration because of the coronavirus. The inauguration comes as the Senate prepares to try President Donald Trump on one article of impeachment for urging thousands of supporters to march on the Capitol on Jan. 6.
Read the highlights:
— Viewers' guide to Biden's Inauguration Day: Everything you need to know.
— Texas man who stormed Capitol accused of threat to shoot children if they turned him in.
— Trump to lift some Covid travel restrictions, a move Biden quickly rejects.
— Four years of capturing Donald Trump.
— By the numbers: A statistical look at Trump's four years in office.
