Biden: His Time

Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th president of the United States at 6am today (New Zealand time) in a ceremony unlike any America has seen before.

The world will watch as 78-year-old Mr Biden takes power, his inauguration signalling the end of a turbulent four-year Donald Trump presidency.

Mr Biden’s running mate, Kamala Harris, will be sworn in as vice-president, becoming the first woman to assume the office. Her appointment will be a celebration in other ways, too, as a black woman also of South Asian descent.

For the first time in more than a century, the outgoing president will not attend his replacement’s inauguration, as Mr Trump is snubbing the ceremony.

An unprecedented security clampdown is planned in the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol invasion with thousands of police, Secret Service agents and members of the National Guard scrambled to Washington.

The traditional parade, luncheon and ball have been cancelled, replaced by a virtual parade with acts from around the US and a national TV special hosted by Tom Hanks.

But the ceremony still has some star power. Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem and Jennifer Lopez is also performing.