Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama must attend the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday, although his immediate predecessor is expected to leave the White House before the day’s ceremonies. Along with President Trump, former President Jimmy Carter, who at 96 is the oldest living president, will not attend the inauguration.
Despite Mr. Trump’s absence, Vice President Mike Pence is expected to attend the opening ceremony. Pence will not appear at Mr. Trump’s farewell event at Andrews Joint Base before the president leaves for Florida on Wednesday morning, a senior government official told CBS News.
Mr. Biden will be sworn in by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn in by Judge Sonia Sotomayor. Several members of Congress are expected to attend the event, although only one guest ticket has been allowed. In previous years, each member of Congress received 200,000 tickets to distribute to constituents. But because of the coronavirus pandemic, participation in Biden’s possession is expected to be very limited.
It is also expected that several celebrities invited at the inauguration, including Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Bruce Springsteen and Garth Brooks.
Although the public is scarce, there will be strong security at the inauguration, which will take place just two weeks after an unprecedented attack on the Capitol. The Pentagon authorized more than 25,000 National Guard soldiers to protect the event, and the FBI is examining all members of the Guard.
