Biden and Harris officially sworn in as new president and vice president

Biden has become the oldest U.S. president in history.

Published: January 20, 2021 11:51am

Updated: January 20, 2021 12:27pm

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been officially inaugurated as president and vice president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.

The 78-year-old Biden, a Democrat, has become the oldest U.S. president in history.

The former vice president began Inauguration Day with a prayer service at St. Matthews Church, a Catholic church just blocks from the White House.

The swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol Building featured Lady Gaga singing the National Anthem and Jennifer Lopez performing a medley of "This Land Is Your Land" and "America the Beautiful." County music artist Garth Brooks sang "Amazing Grace."

Former presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and George W. Bush are attending the swearing-in ceremony. Vice President Mike Pence is at the ceremony as well, but President Trump declined to attend.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Biden, Harris, Clinton, Obama, Bush and their spouses will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Biden is expected to issue as many as 17 executive orders on his first day in office.