Joe Biden takes oath as U.S. president amid heavy security

Washington, January 20 (RHC)-- Joe Biden has taken the oath of office as the 46th president of the United States in a ceremony that was unlike any other in American history.  The ceremony was held at the Capitol on Wednesday under strict and heightened security in the wake of the violent and deadly breach of the Capitol by the supporters of the outgoing President Donald Trump.

Also, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the supporters of Joe Biden were barred from watching the inauguration from the national mall, replaced by 200,000 flags representing all 50 U.S. states.

Among those present were three former presidents of the United States: Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush along their spouses.  Vice-President Mike Pence was also the only official from the Trump administration that attended the ceremony, skipping Trump's farewell military salute event at Joint Air Force Base Andrews.