Joe Biden has been sworn in as the 46th US president, ending one of the most dramatic political transitions in American history.
“Democracy has prevailed,” he said after taking the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts.
Donald Trump – who has not formally conceded the presidency to Mr Biden – snubbed the inauguration ceremony, in a departure from longstanding precedent.
The new president swiftly signed a raft of measures reversing Trump policies.
Joe Biden inauguration
Kamala Harris was sworn in as vice-president ahead of Mr Biden. She is the first woman – and the first black and Asian-American person – to serve in the role, a heartbeat from the presidency.
The inauguration took place at the US Capitol. There is extra-tight security after the building was stormed by violent pro-Trump protesters in a deadly riot on 6 January.
Some 25,000 National Guards protected the ceremony, which missed the traditional hundreds of thousands of spectators because of the coronavirus pandemic.
In his inaugural address , Mr Biden said it was a day of “history and hope”.
“My whole soul is in putting America back together again,” he added.
Highlighting a message of unity after the turbulent Trump years, he promised to be a president “for all Americans” – including those who voted against him.
Among those attending the ceremony were three of his predecessors: Barack Obama – under whom Mr Biden served for eight years as vice-president – Bill Clinton and George W Bush, as well as Mr Trump’s vice-president, Mike Pence.
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The inauguration ceremony included musical performances by Lady Gaga – who sang the national anthem – as well as Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks.
An evening concert at the Lincoln Memorial in the city will be hosted by Tom Hanks and will feature Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, Jon Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake, and Demi Lovato.
Joe Biden inauguration
Image captionLady Gaga gave her rendition of the Star Spangled Banner
In the afternoon, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris visited Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia to pay their respects to US war dead.
The new president’s motorcade then left for the White House. He walked the last block with his family, and hugged his wife Jill before entering their new home.
Mr Biden later told reporters that Mr Trump had written “a very generous letter” to him, adding: “Because it was private, I won’t talk about it until I talk to him.” -BBC
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