Joe Biden becomes 46th US President
The new President has been sworn in during this afternoon's inauguration ceremony
Last updated 24th May 2022
Joe Biden has officially become the 46th President of the United States during his inauguration ceremony this afternoon.
The Democrat won November’s US election, which saw the highest voting turnout in over a century.
He beat Republican Donald Trump, who was elected President in 2016, in a narrow race which took almost a week to conclude.
Tweeting earlier today, Mr Biden said: "It's a new day in America."
Boris Johnson congratulates Biden
Boris Johnson has congratulated Joe Biden on being sworn in as the 46th president of the United States and said he looks forward to working with the Democratic successor to Donald Trump.
The Prime Minister said America’s leadership is “vital” to the rest of the world, from tackling the climate crisis to the coronavirus pandemic, as Mr Biden took the oath of office during a ceremony at the US Capitol on Wednesday.
Shortly before his inauguration, Kamala Harris made history as the first woman to become vice-president, as well as the first black person and the first person of South Asian descent to serve in the role.
The outgoing President has been condemned for false claims of election fraud
Since results were announced, Mr Trump has made accusations of “election fraud” without providing any evidence.
As a result, some media institutions did not show speeches where Mr Trump made the accusations, while Twitter added notices to his tweets highlighting that accusations were unsupported.
The victory has divided America, where tensions have increased in the run up to the inauguration as Trump supporters rally against the result.
Concerns have intensified since 6 January 2021, when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building where the US Congress meets after Mr Trump encouraged supporters to march towards it in protest during a rally speech.
The Capitol is the US equivalent of the UK Parliament buildings.
The event was deemed an “unprecedented assault” on democracy by incoming President Biden.
Today's inauguration looked different to past ceremonies...
Due to security concerns and the ongoing pandemic, this year’s ceremony was slightly different to those of the past.
Traditionally, hundreds of thousands of people turn out in Washington to watch the inauguration of a new President and vice-President.
However, today the usual crowds were replaced by 200,000 American flags, in tribute to the people of America who could not be there to watch Mr Biden and his vice, Kamala Harris, take the oath.
Ms Harris has become the first female, black and Asian-American person to hold the role of vice-President.
Meanwhile, 15,000 National Guard troops have been posted to Washington D.C. amid fears of an attack following the events earlier this month.
Mr Trump is only the fourth President in history to avoid his successor's inauguration
In his farewell message Donald Trump, who has been impeached twice over the course of his four-year Presidency, did not mention his successor by name but has apparently left the incoming President a note.
He will also not attend Mr Biden’s inauguration, only the fourth out-going President in history to do so, instead leaving for Florida.
Mr Biden aims to get straight to work on coronavirus and climate change in particular.
It is understood that he will sign to cease withdrawal from the World Health Organisation initiated by the Trump administration as well as launching a "100 Days Masking Challenge", whereupon he will encourage Americans to mask up for 100 days.
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