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Joe Biden will be sworn in as the new President of the United States on Wednesday.
The most important questions and answers:
What effects does the corona pandemic have on the inauguration?
Joe Biden made it clear early on that he doesn't want a mass event, that physical distance will be necessary.
With a bulging National Mall in Washington, Biden would delegitimize himself in his fight against Covid on the first day of his term in office.
So there are no balls with a visit from the new president.
The usual parade from the Capitol to the White House will only be able to be observed virtually by citizens.
There are no stands for visitors.
Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have appealed to the people to stay home.
Congressmen are only allowed to bring one additional person to be sworn in at the Capitol.
The event will be broadcast on the internet.
The inauguration committee is planning a field of flags on the National Mall.
They are meant to symbolize the people who would be there under normal circumstances.
How did the violence in the Capitol last week affect security at the ceremony?
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The security arrangements for the inauguration of the American president are always enormous.
But after January 6th, this inauguration will be even more secure.
Roads far beyond the Capitol were closed, concrete barriers and metal fences were erected days ago.
Around 25,000 national guardsmen are supposed to protect the event.
Approximately 4,000 police officers from across the country and 3,700 from Washington will be present.
FBI and Secret Service will be monitoring the area.
Washington's mayor urges all Americans to stay away from their city.
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The accommodation platform Airbnb has blocked reservations in Washington.
In the past few weeks, right-wing groups had called for protests, such as a “Million Militia March”.
After the storm on the Capitol, this day will be a test for America's security authorities.
How is the event going?
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There is music, a poem, then the decisive vows of loyalty, Biden's speech, the national anthem and a blessing.
First of all, the Vice President is sworn in according to tradition, now the first Vice President Kamala Harris.
At twelve o'clock sharp local time, Joe Biden will take his oath while his left hand rests on the family Bible, next to him is the presiding judge of the Supreme Court, John Roberts.
This ceremony is the actual inauguration.
Estimated at 12:01 p.m., Biden will be the 46th American President.
Then he gives his inaugural address.
Motto: "America United".
Since announcing his candidacy almost two years ago, Biden has been pushing to heal America's soul, to unite the country.
Who will attend
In addition to Biden, his wife, future
first lady
Jill Biden.
The elected Vice President Kamala Harris, her husband, the future and first
second husband
Doug Emhoff and in the audience former ministers, senators, members of the House of Representatives and diplomats, including the German ambassador Emily Haber.
"Donald Trump leaves the White House on Wednesday morning"
Donald Trump's final days as US president have dawned.
Meanwhile, preparations for Joe Biden's inauguration on Wednesday are in full swing.
WELT correspondent Nancy Lanzendörfer reports from Washington.
Source: WORLD
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Donald Trump has announced his absence.
Other presidents have done this before him, but that was over 150 years ago.
The incumbent Vice President Mike Pence, however, wants to come.
Ex-Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and their wives have also accepted.
Ex-President Jimmy Carter, 96, will probably not be there for health reasons.
Who are the contributors?
The Jesuit and theologian Father Leo J. O'Donovan, a friend of the Biden family, will begin with a prayer.
The former president of the University of Georgetown knows Germany well because he did his doctorate in Münster.
Biden will be only the second Catholic President in US history after John F. Kennedy.
The President of the International Federation of Firefighters, Andrea Hall, will take the oath of allegiance.
The African American was a firefighter for 28 years;
Biden has had close ties with America's firefighters for decades.
Lady Gaga sings the national anthem.
The 23-year-old poet Amanda Gorman, a political activist against oppression and for women's rights, recites a poem.
Jennifer Lopez will sing.
Rev. Silvester Beman of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Biden's hometown of Wilmington gives the blessing.
What is Donald Trump doing meanwhile?
On Friday it was announced that he would leave Washington the morning before the inauguration and fly to Andrews Air Force Base near the capital, the base of the presidential plane "Air Force One".
There is to be a separate farewell ceremony for Trump there, possibly parallel to Biden's inauguration.
Such an act would be completely unusual.
Usually the outgoing president takes part in the swearing in of his successor and only then goes to Andrews, from where a military helicopter takes him to a destination of his choice.
Trump is likely to head for his future domicile Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
One thing is certain: when Biden has sworn his oath, Trump will no longer be president.
What does the new president plan to do after the inauguration?
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris plan to leave for Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, just a few miles from the Capitol, on Wednesday lunchtime.
A wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of the unknown soldier is planned there.
Former Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton want to accompany them.
This should symbolize national unity and underline the traditionally strong role of the military in the USA.
Is there another program during the day?
Yes, but also in Corona format.
Instead of lavish balls, the inauguration committee arranged a television show under the motto “Celebrating America” on Wednesday evening. Actor Tom Hanks moderates the 90-minute program at prime time.
Biden and Harris are about to give speeches.
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The performances are designed to show America's diversity and talent.
The singer-songwriter Ant Clemons, the singers Jon Bon Jovi and Justin Timberlake, the actress Demi Lovato and others perform.
The program will run live on several channels from Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time (Thursday, 4:30 a.m. CET).
What do Joe Biden and Kamala Harris face when they enter office?
The pandemic will challenge the White House.
Biden wants another nearly $ 2 trillion aid package to negotiate with the Senate.
He also decides on the confirmations of ministers and top officials.
It can take weeks before all hearings and votes on these personal details have been completed.
Biden has not yet named an ambassador for Germany.
The post is vacant.
This text is from WELT AM SONNTAG. We will be happy to deliver them to your home on a regular basis.
Source: WELT AM SONNTAG