Politics
It’s a new day in Washington, as Joe Biden was sworn in as the nation’s 46th president and Kamala D. Harris shattered gender and racial barriers when she took the oath for the vice presidency at an inauguration like no other, amid a raging pandemic and in a city that has become a fortress of barriers and security checkpoints.
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post
Throughout the day, The Washington Post’s photographers are documenting the changing of power at the Capitol, the White House and around D.C.
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post
The West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20.
Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post
Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post
Former president George W. Bush and Laura Bush arrive at the U.S. Capitol.
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Former president Barack Obama and Michelle Obama arrive at the U.S. Capitol.
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff; President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden; Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.); and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) arrive at the U.S. Capitol.
Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post
Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) awaits the president-elect and vice president-elect at the U.S. Capitol.
Melina Mara/The Washington Post/POOL
Melina Mara/The Washington Post/POOL
Harris, Emhoff, Biden and Jill Biden wave from the U.S. Capitol.
Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post
Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post
Harris and Emhoff arrive at the U.S. Capitol.
Melina Mara/The Washington Post/POOL
Melina Mara/The Washington Post/POOL
Harris bumps fists with Michelle Obama before she and Biden are sworn in.
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, arrive for the inauguration.
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Lady Gaga sings the national anthem during the inauguration.
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Harris takes the oath of office, administered by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Biden takes the oath of office, administered by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.
Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post
Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post
Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States.
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Biden takes the oath of office for president.
Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post
Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post
Amanda Gorman recites her poem "The Hill We Climb" during the inauguration.
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Jill Biden and Michelle Obama hug while President Biden and Barack Obama share a moment after the inauguration.
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Former vice president Mike Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, leave the Capitol.
Melina Mara/The Washington Post/POOL
Melina Mara/The Washington Post/POOL
Vice President Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff watch Pence as he departs the Capitol.
Melina Mara/The Washington Post/POOL
Melina Mara/The Washington Post/POOL
U.S. Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman after the inauguration.
Melina Mara/The Washington Post
Melina Mara/The Washington Post
Flags adorn the Willard Hotel in Washington during Biden's inauguration.
Matt McClain/The Washington Post
Matt McClain/The Washington Post
A photo of president Joe Biden is displayed on a Christmas tree in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington.
Joshua Lott/The Washington Post
Joshua Lott/The Washington Post
President Joe Biden rides in the motorcade to Arlington National Cemetery.
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post
After the ceremony, President Biden and Vice President Harris, joined by former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, along with their spouses, paid homage to those who have died in military service by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post
Biden and Harris lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post
Biden then walked down Pennsylvania Avenue during a scaled-down inaugural parade toward the White House.
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post
D.C. police honor guards check their uniforms one last time before leading the parade for Biden along Pennsylvania Avenue.
Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post
Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post
A member of the D.C. police honor guard prepares for the parade.
Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post
Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post
Biden, the first lady and family members walk the parade route.
Salwan Georges/The Washington Post
Salwan Georges/The Washington Post
The Howard University band marches near the White House.
John McDonnell/The Washington Post
John McDonnell/The Washington Post
The inaugural parade passes the White House.
Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post
Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post
Harris and the second gentleman walk along the parade route.
Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post
Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post
Biden shares a moment with D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser along the parade route.
Salwan Georges/The Washington Post
Salwan Georges/The Washington Post
Biden and the first lady walk to the White House.
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post
Biden and the first lady hug before entering the White House.
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post
Earlier this morning, President Donald Trump left the White House for the last time, heading for Florida.
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump depart the White House for the last time.
Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post
Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post
White House personnel watch as Trump departs the White House.
Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post
Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post
Trump waves as he boards Marine One to leave the White House.
Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post
Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post
Trump departs the White House on Marine One.
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post
Marine One, carrying Trump, flies over the city near the U.S. Capitol.
Matt McClain/The Washington Post
Matt McClain/The Washington Post
A man who asked to remain anonymous waves goodbye to Trump. "It's a blessing to see him gone," he said.
Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post
Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post
Trump and Melania Trump wave as they board Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews.
Will Newton for The Washington Post
Will Newton for The Washington Post
Air Force One takes off from Joint Base Andrews.
Will Newton for The Washington Post
Will Newton for The Washington Post
Trump arrives at Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Maria Alejandra Cardona for The Washington Post
Maria Alejandra Cardona for The Washington Post