Security is tight in Washington DC ahead of today’s inauguration of Joe Biden.
The 78-year-old will become the oldest US President, when he’s sworn in at a ceremony with a Clare flair this evening.
Joe Biden arrived in Washington DC last night, as he prepares to be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States.
It will be in front of a much smaller crowd than normal, with 25 thousand National Guard troops also patrolling the city.
In a farewell message from the White House last night, Donald Trump condemned the violence but also praised his supporters for standing up for America.
The outgoing President will not attend today’s ceremony, and in his farewell address claimed his administration did what they came to do ‘and so much more’.
Ahead of his inauguration, Joe Biden has insisted “there’s always light” and in quoting Irish poet James Joyce, became emotional as he left Delaware, admitting these are “dark times”.
On his arrival in Washington, the President Elect took part in a memorial service in Washington DC for the 400-thousand Americans who’ve died from COVID-19.
Today’s proceedings begin at around 3:30 Irish time and Joe Biden will formally take office from 5:00.
Part of this evening’s ceremony will have a Clare air to it.
Leading Irish concert violinist Patricia Treacy will perform ‘The Proclamation’, a musical piece composed by Patrick Cassidy, who grew up in Shannon and attended both St. Patrick’s Comprehensieve and CBS Ennis.
The piece was originally composed for a three-part TV documentary, ‘1916 The Irish Rebellion’ and Patrick believes it’s fitting for today’s ceremoney.
It’s believed there are plans for Mr Biden to visit Ireland during his four year term.
Reports today say this could happen as soon as June, in tandem with the scheduled G7 summit in Cornwall in England, and there is speculation that this could see President Biden follow in the footsteps of his predecessors in stopping over at Shannon Airport.
Last week, the Taoiseach said he invited Mr Biden, and the response he got was “try and keep me out”.
