Departure of Trump, oath, concerts ... The full program of the inauguration of Joe Biden

Twelve years ago, nearly two million people flocked to the "National Mall" in Washington to attend the inauguration of Barack Obama.

This Wednesday, for the Democrats' return to the White House after four years of Trumpism, the famous esplanade will ring strangely hollow.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic - but not only - the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Joe Biden and his number two Kamala Harris will take place in a completely new configuration.

First, Donald Trump has chosen not to participate and will leave Washington at dawn by helicopter (mid-day in France).

A scenario that had not occurred since 1869. Moreover, fifteen days after the insurgent invasion of pro-Trump militants on Capitol Hill, nearly 25,000 National Guard soldiers will be deployed in the city - that's more than the number of troops mobilized in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Here is the program for this highly anticipated day.

First, a time of meditation for the dead of Covid-19

We talk a lot about January 20, and rightly so.

But a national tribute to the 400,000 American victims of Covid-19 is organized from Tuesday evening at 11:30 p.m. in France (5:30 p.m. in Washington).

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are planning to visit the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Like the famous reflecting pool, which will be illuminated for the first time, many public buildings will be highlighted across the country.

Joe Biden invites all Americans to participate in this moment of meditation by placing a candle in front of their windows.

Biden and Harris will be sworn in around 6 p.m. PST

After two hours of programs dedicated to children on the screens, the ceremony will start Wednesday noon in Washington under the watchful eye of a handful of official guests.

No Donald or Melanie Trump, therefore, but Vice President Mike Pence will be present.

As tradition dictates, the Biden-Harris duo will swear an oath on a bible from the west facade of the Capitol.

The symbol will be particularly strong for the vice-president, who will swear before the Supreme Court judge Sonia Sotomayor, appointed to this post by Barack Obama in 2009 and the first Hispanic woman in the history of the institution.

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The speech of the new president will then be devoted to the fight against Covid-19, to the reconstruction of the country and to his vision to "unify and heal the nation".

"United America" ​​is the official theme chosen by the Democratic team, anxious to respond in particular to racial tensions.

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As we have explained, Joe Biden will address a barricaded town.

But for the occasion, a “field of flags” of nearly 200,000 banners was installed on the esplanade to embody the citizens who were unable to make the trip.

We're installing almost 200,000 state and territory flags that will cover the entire National Mall for #InaugurationDay!

Become a symbolic sponsor of these flags and donate to our partner charities.

pic.twitter.com/DK78iZX1qO

- Biden Inaugural Committee (@BidenInaugural) January 18, 2021

Two stars of American music will then enter the dance.

Lady Gaga will sing the American anthem ("Star Spangled Banner") then Jennifer Lopez will also perform a mini-show.

It will be all "face-to-face", as they say.

Military tributes

Then comes the time of “Pass in Review”.

This long-standing military tradition symbolizes the peaceful transfer of power to a new Commander-in-Chief.

It will take place on the east facade.

Biden and Harris will then travel to Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

They will then be joined by Presidents Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, Presidents George W. Bush and Laura Bush, and Presidents Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

By way of closing, the 46th President of the United States will be escorted from 15th Street to the White House by various military bodies.

And will finish the path on foot to his new residence.

It is from there that the musical festivities will really begin.

At the same time, a virtual parade will bring together dancers, musicians (Earth Wind & Fire, Nile Rodgers…), comedians (Jon Stewart) and renowned sportsmen.

Note for the occasion the reformation of the little-known group The New Radicals.

His single hit "You get what you give" (1998) became an anthem for the Biden family during the illness of Beau, his son who died of a brain tumor in 2015.

The big television show (from 2:30 in France)

Instead of the traditional balls and concerts that the presidential couple usually do in Washington, the great musical evening will take place on the screens.

A special hosted by actor Tom Hanks will air on national channels, and will see Joe Biden and Kamala Harris go head-to-head.

Justin Timberlake, Jon Bon Jovi, Demi Lovato, Bruce Springsteen, the Foo Fighters, John Legend, Eva Longoria, Kerry Washington and even basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are expected. Those in charge of the evening promised that the program would also include "stories of young people who left their mark on their communities." An event that promises to be very followed ... except perhaps on the side of Mar-a-Lago in Florida, where Donald Trump must launch his new life.