With thousands of armed troops surrounding the U.S. Capitol two weeks after a mob attacked it, Biden, at age 78, was sworn in as the oldest U.S. president in history by Chief Justice John Roberts. In his inauguration speech, he emphasized the need for unity in order to overcome the challenges facing America, stating that it requires more than just words. Biden called for an end to the division and conflict that exists between red and blue states, rural and urban areas, and conservatives and liberals, urging people to open their souls instead of hardening their hearts. The inauguration ceremony was smaller than usual and lacked its usual festive atmosphere. Instead of crowds of supporters, the National Mall was filled with U.S. flags as a reminder of the pandemic that President Biden will have to address. Biden spoke at the Capitol, where Trump supporters had clashed with police in a violent attack on Jan. 6. Biden portrayed his inauguration as a sign that the attackers had not succeeded in disrupting American democracy. The violence led to Trump's second impeachment by the Democratic-controlled House, accusing him of inciting the riot. Biden emphasized the resilience of democracy in the face of violence and attempts to undermine it. Jennifer Lopez performed "America the Beautiful" and "This Land Is Your Land" at President Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony. Kamala Harris, daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, made history as the first Black person, first woman, and first Asian American to serve as vice president, being sworn in by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the court's first Latina member. On his way out of the White House, Trump defied the norm by refusing to meet with Biden or attend his inauguration, breaking a tradition that symbolizes the peaceful transfer of power. Trump did not mention Biden by name in his final remarks as president, instead focusing on his administration's achievements and hinting at a potential return to politics. He then departed for his Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida. In contrast, top Republicans, including Vice President Mike Pence and congressional leaders, as well as former Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton, attended Biden's inauguration. Biden assumes office during a time of significant national challenges, including the pandemic, economic crisis, climate change, and racial inequality. He has pledged to take immediate action, including issuing a series of executive orders on his first day in office. Following a contentious campaign marked by Trump's unfounded claims of election fraud, Biden adopted a conciliatory tone rarely heard from his predecessor, urging Americans who did not vote for him to give him a chance. In breaking news, Kamala Harris has made history as the first woman and first woman of color to be sworn in as vice president of the United States. "I pledge this to you: I will be a president for all Americans," he stated. Biden assured that he will fight just as hard for those who didn't support him as he will for those who did, aiming to repair alliances damaged by Trump and serve as a trusted partner for peace, progress, and security. He did not address specific disputes with North Korea, Iran, and China. Biden's inauguration marks the peak of his long public service career, but he faces significant challenges ahead. On Trump's last full day in office, the United States hit two grim milestones in the pandemic - 400,000 deaths and 24 million infections. The country has the highest numbers compared to any other nation. Many Americans are unemployed due to pandemic-related shutdowns and restrictions. President Biden plans to use the federal government's resources to address the crisis, with a $1.9 trillion proposal to increase jobless benefits and give direct cash payments to households. Lady Gaga performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Biden's inauguration. However, the plan will need approval from a Congress that is deeply divided, with Democrats holding slim majorities in both the House and Senate. Harris is set to swear in three new Democratic senators on Wednesday, resulting in a 50-50 split in the chamber with her as the tie-breaking vote. Biden is planning to quickly move on from the Trump era by signing 15 executive actions on Wednesday, covering issues such as the pandemic, the economy, and climate change. These actions will include requiring masks on federal property, rejoining the Paris climate accord, and ending Trump's travel ban on certain Muslim-majority countries. Despite Biden's ambitious agenda for his first 100 days, the Senate may be focused on Trump's 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. In his last moments in office, Trump granted over 140 pardons and commutations, one of which was for his ex-political adviser Steve Bannon. Bannon is facing charges for allegedly scamming Trump supporters to raise money for a border wall in Mexico. Despite speculation, Trump did not pardon himself or his family members.