Biden inauguration – J-Lo rehearses on Capitol steps where deadly siege erupted as 25,000 soldiers guard ceremony

JENNIFER Lopez has been seen rehearsing on the Capitol steps where the deadly seige erupted earlier this month as 25,000 soliders will be guarding the ceremony.

She joins a list of other celebrities includng Lady Gaga to celebrate Joe Biden taking the Oath of Office to become the 46th President of the United States.

⚠️ Read our Inauguration Day 2021 live blog for the very latest news and updates on Joe Biden's swearing-in












This year's inauguration will be vastly different to previous ones because of the strict restrictions to stop the spread of Covid-19 and increased security after a mob of Trump supporters breached the Capitol.

The seige on January 6 left five people dead – including a police officer.

Tens of thousands of National Guard troops have been deployed across teh capital after authorities have warned some extremist Trump supporters are calling for more violence.

There have been no specific threats made against Biden.

Watch the inauguration LIVE on The Sun's YouTube channel

The nation's capital is essentially on lockdown as tanks and concrete barriers block the streets, the National Mall is closed, fencing is on the permiter of the Capitol and checkpoints sit at intersections.

More than 25,000 troops and police have been called up.

The Secret Service, which is in charge of the event, says it is prepared for today's historic event.






Donald Trump will not be attending Biden's inauguration and is the first president since Andrew Johnson in 1869 to opt out.

The traiditon of attending the successor's inauguration is a tradition going back to country's first president George Washington to show how America can tranisition its new leadership peacefully.

Biden and Harris have also urged supported to stay home because of the pandemic, but a small number of tickets will be distributed.

About 200,000 small US state and terroritial flags have been planted on the National Mall – to represnt those you cannot attend.

Superstar Lady Gaga will sing the National Anthem to a noticiably reduced crowd before Biden takes his oath to serve as president.

J-Lo will also give a performance just before the ceremony.

 

Today's inauguration will start at 11am local time with a prayer from Biden's longtime friend Leo O'Donovan.

Then the Pledge of Allegience will be led by Andrea Hall, the first African American female firefighter to become caption of her unit in Fulton, Georgia.

Lady Gaga will then sing the "Star Spangled Banner" before Amanda Gorman, the first-ever Youth Laureate, will read a poem.

Then popstar J-Lo will perform followed by country singer Garth Brooks, who has said he is performing for "unity".

The final person to speak before the ceremony officially starts is Rev. Silvester Beaman, who will deliver a benediction.

At noon, Chief Justice John Roberts along with Biden and his wife Jill begin the ceremony.

Jill will hold the family's 127-year-old bible that Biden will put his hand on while taking the oath.

After Biden is sworn in, Justice Sonya Sotomayor will swear in Kamala Harris as vice president. 

Harris will use two bibles – one from a friend Regina Sheltong and the personal one belonging to the first black Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.

Biden will then deliver his address for about 30 minutes.

The usual traditions of luncheons and celebrations will not happen this year.




 

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