Biden, holding a family heirloom Bible, was sworn in as the oldest US president in history by Chief Justice John Roberts at a subdued ceremony in Washington. The event was scaled back due to the pandemic and security concerns following the Capitol attack. Outgoing President Trump broke tradition by not meeting with Biden or attending the inauguration. Trump, who never conceded the election, did not mention Biden by name in his final remarks before leaving for his Florida retreat. Key Republican figures, such as Vice President Mike Pence and congressional leaders, were present at Biden's inauguration, as well as former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. Kamala Harris, Biden's running mate and the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, made history as the first Black person, first woman, and first Asian American to become vice president. She was sworn in by US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the court's first Latina member, using two Bibles, including one that belonged to Thurgood Marshall, the first Black US Supreme Court Justice. Biden enters office during a time of significant national turmoil, with the country facing multiple crises, including the pandemic, economic struggles, climate change, and racial inequality. He has pledged immediate action, including a series of executive orders on his first day in office. The event on Wednesday took place in front of a heavily guarded US Capitol, where two weeks ago a group of Trump supporters broke into the building following his claims of election fraud. The violence led to Trump being impeached by the Democratic-controlled US House of Representatives for a second time. Thousands of National Guard troops were deployed to the city after the attack, which resulted in five deaths and forced lawmakers to hide briefly. Instead of a crowd of supporters, the National Mall was adorned with flags and pillars of light representing people from different US states and territories. President Biden, who has promised to "restore the soul of America," is expected to emphasize unity during his inaugural speech in the midst of crisis, as per his advisors. His inauguration marks the peak of a fifty-year career in public service, which included over thirty years in the US Senate and two terms as vice president under former President Barack Obama. However, he is now confronted with challenges that would test even the most seasoned politician. On Trump's last full day in office, the United States reached alarming milestones with 400,000 deaths and 24 million infections due to the pandemic - the highest numbers globally. Many Americans are unemployed as a result of pandemic-related closures and limitations. Biden has promised to utilize the entire resources of the federal government to address the crisis. His main focus is a $1.9 trillion proposal that aims to improve unemployment benefits and give direct cash payments to households. However, this plan must be approved by a Congress that is sharply divided, with Democrats holding narrow majorities in both the House and Senate. Vice President Harris is set to swear in three new Democratic senators, creating a 50-50 split in the Senate, allowing her to cast tie-breaking votes. Biden is expected to quickly move on from the Trump administration, with advisers stating that he will sign 15 executive orders on Wednesday addressing issues such as the pandemic, the economy, and climate change. These orders will include requiring masks on federal property, rejoining the Paris climate agreement, and ending Trump's travel restrictions on certain Muslim-majority countries. Even though Biden has a busy agenda for his first 100 days, which includes vaccinating 100 million people against COVID-19, the Senate may be focused on Trump's upcoming impeachment trial, which will proceed even though he is no longer in office. This trial could be an early test of Biden's pledge to promote bipartisanship in Washington. Trump granted over 140 pardons and commutations in his final hours as president, including one for his former political adviser, Steve Bannon, who is facing charges related to fundraising for a border wall. Despite speculation, Trump did not pardon himself or his family members.